Digital Poker practices

"Borgata's vice-president of information technology John Forelli demonstrates in-room gaming at Borgata Hotel Casino and Spa in Atlantic City, N.J., Monday, Feb. 11, 2013. The Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa in Atlantic City said it's the first casino in the United States to let guests gamble over hotel room TV sets. Gambling from a home computer is the next step in convenience gambling, after legislation legalizing online gambling was recently signed into law. (AP Photo/The Press of Atlantic City, Michael Ein)"

Zynga Inc (NASDAQ:ZNGA)'s attempts to enter real-money gambling may be held back by US laws, which favor existing casinos, according to Bloomberg. So far, 3 US states, including New Jersey, Nevada and Delaware, have passed laws that will allow online gambling games to be played on their territories, but it looks like the conditions will benefit casinos which dominate the gambling scene. This could create problems for the social gaming giant, which is looking to reduce its dependence on its current business model, including bolstering growth and business transactions by offering real-money games. At present, Zynga (ZNGA) has employed a 'free to play' business model, which was started by multiplayer online games like Jagex Games Studio' RuneScape. It allow players to play games free of cost but with the choice to spend real money on virtual items or other in-game advantages. These in-games purchases are called "micro-transactions".

"Statewide services will also be provided to support problem gamblers from non-English speaking backgrounds, to help problem gamblers facing legal difficulties, and to ensure that NSW's gambling counsellors have access to the latest professional training," Mr Souris said in a statement. The money will also provide increased after hours counselling, financial counselling, community education programs and referrals for problem gamblers with complex mental health issues.

Tasmanian Council of Social Service chief executive Tony Reidy said Glenorchy had a higher proportion of poker machines per head of population compared with more affluent areas. "Poker machines in Tasmania are concentrated in lower-income communities," Mr Reidy said.