A look at the eCommerce Online Gambling Regulation and Assurance (eCogra) Online Gambler survey sees it present the most accurate picture yet formed of the web-based player.

The depth of the survey is so great that separate pictures of online poker players and online casino visitors have been formed, and display some significant differences.

The average poker player is likely to be male, the research reveals, with men accounting for almost three quarters of online poker players. Yet 55 per cent of online casino players are women, according to the figures.

Statistics also suggest that there is a clear age gap between the two categories, with poker players more likely to fall into the 26-35 age range than other, and 46 to 55-year-olds likely to be the main online casino grouping.

Both sets play two or three times a week on average, have played for two to three years and spend one to two hours per gambling per session, the survey advises.

The nature of such findings was reassuring for both the industry and its critics, it was suggested.

“These findings are a salutary reminder about the vast majority of players who enjoy this form of entertainment responsibly,” said Andrew Beveridge, chief executive at eCogra.

An article weighing up the differences between online and offline gambling has concluded that internet-based casinos provide superior offerings.

The report, posted on influential poker website Pokernews.com, cited the “speed and comfort of online gambling” as a significant factor in the equation.

By contrast, the busy nature of Las Vegas casinos visited by the author for research meant that the pace of betting remained slow throughout the evening.

Online gambling has experienced huge expansion within the past few years, as gamers turn to the internet as a convenient, varied and lucrative way to enjoy their favourite pastime.

The 21st century lifestyle has meant that many gamers no longer need to concern themselves with the numerous casinos being built along the Las Vegas Strip, instead preferring to relax at home.

“The quickness of hands being turned over, the deposit bonuses that all great online casinos offer you and the money and time you save by not having to pay for travel and accommodation expenses and you have a no-brainer,” the Pokernews article concludes.

The latest in a long line of criticisms of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) passed by US Congress earlier this year has focused on the players themselves, arguing individual desire will overcome prohibitive legislation.

The UIGEA has been the subject of a series of fierce condemnations since it was signed into law in October, with criticisms ranging from the historical failure of prohibitive measures to the wording of the bill itself.

Now poker journalist Lena Katz, writing for All In magazine, has added her voice to the chorus of disapproval.

“In passing [the UIGEA], Congress failed to understand that internet gamblers are exceptionally resourceful, fiercely independent and technologically savvy. A determined poker player will be able to play cash games online, despite this ill-conceived law,” suggested Katz.

“The US joins with such other stalwart states as Iran, China and North Korea in mandating internet censorship,” the author added.

A casino mogul botched his own plans to sell a famous Picasso painting when he stuck his elbow through it while talking about it.

Steve Wynn bought Picasso’s 1932 Le Reve (The Dream) painting in 1997 for $48.4 million and entered into a contract to sell it for a world-record $139 million before he destroyed it.

Mr Wynn was gesticulating animatedly about the painting to friends and acquaintances Barbara Walters and Nora Ephron when he inadvertently stuck his elbow through the middle of the painting, leaving a hole the “size of a silver dollar.”

His first reaction to his costly poke according to Ms Ephron was to say “Oh s*, look what I’ve done.

“Thank goodness it was me.”

Ms Ephron also noted that Mr Wynn suffers from a degenerative eye disease that affects his peripheral vision.

The sale of Le Reve, a portrait of Picasso’s mistress Marie-Therese Walter, will no longer take place and Mr Wynn instead will to restore and keep the painting.

Now doubt he has had better luck with his casino empire!

Revenge is the implied motive of the man who drove his pickup truck into the front doors of the Miccosukee Resort & Gaming hall, according to reports by the Miami Herald.

Country Walk, Florida resident Leonard Marrero, 39, allegedly had started gambling at 10 am and left the casino at 8 pm when he got into his shiny new Ford F-150 and drove the car into the Miccosukee building ahead of him.

Eyewitnesses report that he left the Miami-area casino angry and muttering about his $10,000 in losses that week.

Marrero was quoted on the police report to have said: “That’s what they get, they got what they deserved.”

He added: “I’ve been here all week and got robbed by Miccosukee.’‘

Bond for bail was set at $26,000 and the crash will cost more $20,000 in damage repair.

Reported charges include aggravated battery, assault, criminal mischief, negligence and reckless driving.

InterCasino has unveiled a variety of entertaining new guest slot machine games.

The line-up changes regularly, meaning players who love the slots can keep returning to indulge their passion.

Currently playing is Touchdown, a football based 20-line slot game that has proved extremely popular with the punters.

The game offers a unique bonus feature, which allows players 15 free spins, during which time all winnings are tripled.

The prizes are potentially enormous, with one player making $92,155 recently while another raked in $65,230.

As well as the guest games, InterCasino offers a huge range of regular slots, with players offered the choice of standard and progressive jackpots.

There are also a number of practice machines to have a go at to make sure you have the hang of it before playing for real money.

Atlantic City Boardwalk is set to get a new casino with the news that investors are planning to purchase an 11-acre site at this famous location.

One group is reportedly close to agreeing an $85 million sale with the Atlantic City Hilton Casino Resort, which would be due to go ahead in November, reports the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Among the new casino facilities would be a hotel, shopping amenities and a multi-storey car park.

Wallace R Barr, the former Caesar’s chief executive officer, said he was heading the group of investors alongside Curtis Bashaw, the former executive of the New Jersey Casino Reinvestment Development Authority.

Pinnacle Entertainment also reportedly plans to close the Sands Casino and replace it with a billion-dollar casino hotel.

While the development plans rage on, why not log-on to InterCasino.com and play your favourite high rollers game here instead?

All through September, InterCasino customers have the awesome chance to win a $50 handout from website manager Ryan Hartley.

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The jackpot for the InterCasino Millionaire’s Club game has now reached a staggering $4.3 million.

It is currently the game of choice for the majority of online casino connoisseurs simply because of the substantial size of the pot.

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Industry insiders are already trying to predict where exactly in the world the next InterCasino multi-millionaire will come from.

The jackpot has already been over the $4 million mark for about a month and whoever wins it, it is sure to cause quite a stir!

Customers should try the hugely popular InterCasino Blackjack tournament during September.

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