Bottom line? It’s a scorcher and you need to cool off, big time, wherever you are. And if you’re at The Virtual Casino, it’s easy to do when you play Mermaid Queen. Dive in and splash around as we soak you with big bonuses, including the chance to win a free $7,500 chip.

It all starts with a bonus just for Mermaid Queen players. The bonus is worth 200% and comes with no playthrough or max cashout restrictions. Keep in mind the bonus won’t work on other games, just Mermaid Queen. But by using it, you’ll qualify to win that $7,500 free chip.

If you’re tempted by our other slot games or even table games, don’t worry. There are plenty of games to dive right into that’ll get you a bonus, too. Here’s a look at the three big bonuses we have on offer this month for all our players.

• If you love slots and keno games, take advantage of a 455% bonus on your deposit of $40 or more. It comes with a 30x playthrough requirement and a 10x max cashout restriction. You can redeem the bonus unlimited times so if you decide to start with a small deposit and then want to toss more into your account, go for it.

• If you prefer other games, take advantage of a 200% bonus that works on all allowed games, except for Blackjack. If you’re not a fan of playthrough requirements or max cashout restrictions, don’t sweat it. This bonus comes with none. Keep in mind that it takes a minimum deposit of $30 to use it.

• If slots and keno games are your thing, but you’ve got $100 or more to deposit, you can up your bonus potential to a whopping 610%. The same 30x playthrough and 10x max cashout restrictions are in place.

These aren’t the only bonuses available. If you’re a VIP player, the bonuses jump to 475%, 220%, and a gigantic 630%, respectively. But remember, you can’t earn a VIP bonus if you’re not one of our VIP players. They’re reserved exclusively for members of our program. That’s 20% more, all around.

All the bonus codes are available on the Monthly Promotion page, along with all the other info you need to know.

Looking for other water-themed games to cool off with this week? Try Ocean Oddities and Ocean Dreams at The Virtual Casino. To get started, all you need is a free account, which takes just a few minutes to create. As soon as you’re all set up, you can play as many free casino games as you like without even making a deposit. Whenever you’re ready, the bonus codes are waiting for you on The Virtual Casino Monthly Promotion page.

The new bill outlines the basic parameters of what could become the future of slot machines. If approved, this bill would allow gaming regulators to incorporate more skill on the casino floor, allowing for flexibility in payout percentages and game outcome. In other words, the slot machines of tomorrow may play a lot more like Super Mario Bros. than Wheel of Fortune. While the legal debate is still underway, game developers have already started developing these new machines, and the early results are aimed directly at a clear-cut target audience. For example, consider Gamblit Gaming’s recently debuted creation that looks strikingly similar to mobile sensation Angry Birds. For a more timeless approach, Bally Technologies has introduced a slot based on Skee-Ball, the classic arcade title.

While these new games are certainly upping the excitement factor, skilled players aren’t necessarily rewarded with bigger payouts. That’s where the changing regulations come into play. When approved, developers will be able to tie these interesting themes with skill-based results that sidestep the limitations of current, randomized slot outcomes.

In initial demonstrations, the new slot machines have received rave reviews from casinos intent on taking advantage of any change to the current regulatory landscape. In the case of Gamblit Gaming, the company’s chief marketing officer stated that some casinos have requested multiple units if legal changes are made.

These next generation slots are a two-sided coin, however, and some analysts have questioned if savvy players could become good enough to consistently beat the house. While game developers agree that the new slots could be beatable with enough practice, they also liken the chances of a player attaining the necessary level of skill to the number of people who play basketball versus the number of professional players in the NBA. In other words, an extremely small percentage of winners would likely be overwhelmingly outnumbered by the number of players who allow the house to regain its edge. This formula has worked in the past for video poker machines, so it’s certainly a viable solution in this case.

If you’ve always been a fan of video games and wanted to translate that hobby to the casino, the next few months could be an exciting time in your gambling career. As the next generation of slot machines are being crafted, some casino experts are already looking ahead to the next big evolution to keep up with rapidly changing player preferences. For now, though, most eyes are focused squarely on the future of the mighty slots.

The Player Advantage in Baccarat

Casinos have a way of twisting the rules to make it seem like the house edge is non-existent, and this is abundantly clear when it comes to baccarat. In normal games with a five percent commission on banker bets, the house has a slim edge of 1.06 percent. Now, that’s nothing to sneeze at, in fact, it’s among the best bets in the entire casino. Sure, craps players can do better by taking advantage of the free odds and blackjack players can eke out better odds through the use of basic strategy, but baccarat is among the best games in the house in terms of overall advantage.

In some cases, casinos like to sweeten the pot a little further. You may have seen a game of four percent baccarat advertised from time to time. This is meant to make players think that their odds of winning are greatly improved. While the house edge drops to 0.6 percent on winning banker bets in a four percent game, matching the odds of basic strategy blackjack, the house’s advantage is never actually eliminated.

The same is true for no-commission games. In this case, casinos tweak the rules in seemingly insignificant ways in order to retain the edge. For example, changing the rules so that a banker hand with a three-card total of seven doesn’t win, even if it outranks the player hand, can give the house a 1.02 percent edge on the banker. In other words, fancy no-commission games are rarely as appealing as they may seem.

Never Ever Craps

In another case of tweaked game rules that improve house odds, Never ever Craps makes a seemingly beneficial change by eliminating comeout losers. Instead, two, three and 12 serve as point numbers. Additionally, 11 serves as a point number, meaning that the only way to win on the comeout is to roll a seven. Unfortunately, two, three, 11 and 12 are really weak as point numbers, and this seemingly innocent change greatly alters the otherwise favorable odds of craps. Never ever go with this craps variation, because the house edge on the pass line is 5.38 percent, as compared to the 1.41 percent offered in regular craps games.

When it comes to table game myths, it’s worth noting that things that seem too good to be true are normally just that. Four percent baccarat is worth playing, but crapless craps is a bad bet for any gambler who plays the odds. Check back next time, as we discuss more myths surrounding the casino industry’s most popular games.

That’s what a new web documentary claims to show as undercover investigators try to enjoy some sin, and illegal activities, in Sheldon Adelson’s very own casinos.

First, the backstory. Sheldon Adelson is completely against online gaming of any kind. He’s probably never played at The Virtual Casino and he probably never will (though our promotions would tempt even the richest of kings). He hates all casinos, believing (or at least publicly declaring) that they’re immoral and will ruin the world (our words, not his, but that’s pretty much what he argues).

Online gaming should not be regulated and offshore sites should not be allowed to offer services to US residents. That’s what Sheldon believes. He claims it’s because online casinos are easily accessibly to minors. He claims it’s because it’s immoral and will corrupt people. He claims it could fund terrorism.

The bottom line? He doesn’t like the competition. While his competitors, including Caesars, have embraced online gaming in Nevada, New Jersey, and Delaware, Adelson has refused to take part in it, funneling tens of millions of dollars into lobby groups in an effort to shut down online gaming.

But a recent web video has surfaced that aims to cast a spotlight on the hypocrisy of Sheldon Adelson’s claims. And while we might be a bit biased, we think the video does an amazing job. And we’re confident Sheldon would agree, assuming he could take the time to open his mouth (we’re guessing he’s too busy eating his words).

Here’s the deal. Sheldon Adelson claims that at his casino, he can tell who is underage and that online casinos cannot. He has the upper hand in keeping American youth safe. Online casinos, from his point of view, are part of the Wild West where anything goes.

Enter the undercover cameras. The documentary filmmaker follows two underage patrons into the casino and watches them gamble. The underage gamblers were able to buy-in for poker games, get chips, and cash out without any member of the casino team asking them for ID.

The documentary filmmaker then tries to have someone sign up for an online gaming account. They are not 21 and are therefor unsuccessful in creating an account. All five times. Yup. They tried to create an account five separate times with a mix of real and fake IDs. And they weren’t successful. Not one time.

It gets better. Or worse, depending on your perspective. Adelson takes the moral high ground in his approach to ridding the world of the filth that is online casino gambling (insert eye roll here). So a man of high moral standing wouldn’t allow prostitutes to solicit business in his casino, would he? No, definitely not.

Roll cameras. It turns out soliciting a prostitute is really easy, so much so that the filmmaker was able to pick one up and confirm that she works there frequently. She says there are a lot of rich people and it’s easy to get clients. Not only that, but she alludes to the fact that the casino actually encourages the high-priced escorts to conduct business on the property. Why? Because prostitutes attract the rich guys. And rich guys gamble.

So to recap, you can’t create an account online if you’re underage, but it’s easy to gamble if you’re a teenager in Sheldon Adelson’s casino. And while you definitely can’t solicit a prostitute at The Virtual Casino or on any other casino for that matter, it’s easy to shell out cash and get some tonight at one of Sheldon’s properties. Yup, online gaming is the one that’s morally bankrupting America (again, another eye-roll here).

There’s a lot more to the video, so we encourage you watch it. When you’re done, don’t forget to tell your casino-playing friends about it by sharing this article on social media.

There was the first time you hit the Craps table and attempted to understand the game. That also happened to be the last time you hit the Craps table. You spent 5 minutes there and couldn’t wrap your head around the game. Since then, you’ve completely blocked out the existence of Craps from your mind.

Today, it’s time to conquer your fears, understand the game, and learn what it takes to win. And it won’t even take long. I promise. I’ve put together an easy way to understand Craps and succeed at it.

The Pass Line Bet
If there’s only one bet to wrap your head around, the Pass Line bet is it. Basically, you make this bet by dropping some chips on the pass line before the Come Out Roll is tossed. If the dice shooter ends up rolling a 7 or 11, then you’ll win even money, right off the bat. You’ll lose if the shooter rolls 2, 3, or 12. But here’s the best part. Any other number? You’re still in the game. That becomes the box point for the game. If that bet is rolled again before the number 7 hits, you’ll win. Easy peasy.

The Don’t Pass Bet
Got a good grasp of The Pass Line bet? Then the Don’t Pass bet should be just as easy to wrap your noggin around. It’s basically the complete opposite of the Pass Line bet, where the numbers that lead to a win or loss or flipped. For the most part, you don’t want to place this bet at a live casino as you’ll probably make a bunch of enemies (after all, you’re betting against the shooter) but if you’re playing Craps online, you’re good to go.

Taking Odds
Once the box point is locked in, feel free to take odds. In a nutshell, you’re betting that the box point will be rolled before a 7 hits. You’ll absolutely love this bet because there is no house edge on it. Keep in mind, though, that some casinos will limit the amount you can put down on this wager.

Gain confidence at Palace of Chance
Still feeling uneasy about playing Craps online or live? Start right here at Palace of Chance. With your free account, you can practice the bets we’ve gone over for free, no real money required. Once you’re comfortable, feel free to switch over to real money play and see how easy it is to win at Craps.

• Dealers go through a lot: Not winning when we expect to can be frustrating, but don´t take it out on the dealer. This should be par for the course but most people can´t resist the urge to blame the dealer or take out their frustrations on the guy or gal that just deals the cards and doesn’t determine fate. Most casinos have the dealer parking lots in far off locations or secret locations for security reasons. Usually every casino or pit boss has a secret panic button to whisk away unruly patrons. There are also the compulsive lot, whom even go as far as not leaving for the bathroom in favor of one last hand. Dealers see, hear, and smell a lot.
• Security is insane: Gambling is serious business and rightfully so, the hard earned money of thousands of patrons is on the line and fair play is important. Dealers often go through rigorous security screenings both before and leaving work. Even getting the job often involves a serious background check. The cameras are also there not only to watch you but also the dealers. Security trusts no one and this is for your benefit. Rest assured the dealer is the last one that will be behind anything foul.
• Their job is as fun as you make it: Just because they deal the cards doesn’t mean they can´t have a little fun. Sure, we will never cross the line and tell you what cards we have or something like that but good rapport and fun interactions can make the game more entertaining than it already is and this is something we enjoy. Be loose, be yourself, and have fun.
• You should treat the game how the dealers are handled: Ever notice that when you are on a good run sometimes dealers will switch or that sometimes when everyone’s lucky dealers are rotated out more frequently? Gambling is an activity involving luck and with luck comes superstition so when one is losing too much they are often switched out to see if the luck changes. You should do the same. If you aren’t having any luck move games or tables, luck is random and doesn’t care how long you have been at the table or machine.
• Dealers work odd hours: With most casinos being open 24 hours a day, much like any other jobs you have plenty of odd shifts.
• Breaks: To preserve the integrity of the game dealers are often restricted to certain, non public break areas to prevent collusion with players.
• Tips: tips are appreciated and usually split evenly amongst the dealers.
• There is a lot to learn: As a dealer, we are to learn everything there is to know about every game. Odds, strategies, rules, variations, types of bets, and the list go on. It isn’t all just fun and games. For the dealer at least.

I hope these facts and anecdotes gave you a better feel as for what life is like on the other side of the felt. I imagine you found that this job is much like any other, it has it´s perks but it also has many parts of the job that you wouldn’t think about if you didn’t stand in their shoes. Happy gambling and remember… Be nice to the dealer.

Penn National Gaming, which operates in 16 states and in Canada’s Ontario Province, has defied the odds in recent months, recording a 70 percent increase in share price over the past 12 months – including a 35 percent bump in 2015. So, how is this growing developer promoting such impressive results? Last week, the company gave prospective investors a demonstration of its potential when it obtained preliminary approval from the Nevada Gaming Control Board for its $360 million acquisition of Tropicana Las Vegas. When finalized, this acquisition will give the company its first property on the Las Vegas strip.

Additionally, Penn National is building a Hollywood-branded Indian casino in the San Diego area. Its completion will follow the company’s June launch of the first gambling facility in Massachusetts, the $250 million Plainridge Park Casino, located about 35 miles southwest of Boston. Penn National’s strategic positioning as a regional operator with no established presence in the struggling Atlantic City market has set the stage for this continued performance.

“We’re not in Atlantic City, which continues to suffer because of the proliferation of gaming in all neighboring states around New Jersey,” Tim Wilmott, chief executive officer of Penn National, stated in a recent interview. “But beyond that, I think the regional markets right now are as healthy as they’ve been in the last three or four years.”

Utilizing an ambitious expansion strategy into some of the country’s most lucrative markets, Penn National is set to build upon its recent performance moving forward. In addition to its impending entry into the Las Vegas and Southern California regions, the company also recently acquired Prarie State Gaming, a major video gaming terminal operator in the Midwest, in an effort to hedge its exposure to the traditional casino market while promoting sustainable growth.

The company expects to close on the Tropicana Las Vegas Casino Hotel Resort before the end of the third quarter, marking its largest acquisition since 2011. Penn National will also look to continue expanding its market share in the months to come, with the possibility of international expansion currently under discussion.

If you thought the only gambles in the casino industry came in the form of table games and slots, the recent shakeup of the nation’s casino investment scene serves as a solid reminder that business is a gamble as well. Whether you fancy yourself an investor, a poker star, a slot aficionado or a blackjack ace, the casino industry has something for everyone.

Full House’s idea is the first serious attempt to bring gambling to the state’s capital in nearly a decade. The last real mention of a casino in Indy was unsuccessfully presented to Mayor Bart Peterson, who served from 2000 to 2008. Before that, a casino and racetrack at the State Fairgrounds gained support approximately ten years earlier, but nothing came of the efforts.

Early indications suggest that Full House’s innovative half-casino idea is a longshot at best. According to the Indy Star, legislators have been extremely reluctant to bring gambling to the state’s largest city. Currently, the closest option for residents of Indianapolis comes in the form of two racetracks with live betting and in-house casinos, in nearby Anderson and Shelbyville, and the owner of these establishments is less than thrilled at the idea of allowing new competition into the region.
“It is ludicrous to believe the legislature would permit the holder of a gaming license to ‘divide up’ its license and operate from different locations,” Centaur Gaming stated in a statement responding to the proposal.

Local officials share the sentiment. State Representative Bob Behning, whose district includes the airport, inferred that the chances of the General Assembly accepting Full House’s deal are slim to none. As evidence of the restrictions on the local gambling scene, consider that the casinos in Anderson and Shelbyville recently lobbied for adding live dealers at their gaming tables, and lawmakers wouldn’t even allow the small change until 2021.

For Full House, however, the move could be a matter of survival. Following the opening of a downtown Cincinnati casino and two racetracks in Ohio in 2013, the Rising Sun Casino Resort is reportedly struggling to break even in its current locale. Since the competition opened across the state line, Full House’s casino has recorded a 75 percent plunge in revenues, according to the company’s chief executive officer.

In the unlikely event that it’s approved, the Full House Indianapolis half-casino would become the state’s smallest casino, generating an estimated $85 million a year in new state and local tax revenues and creating 4,000 permanent jobs.

For Full House, the future of its proposed deal likely hinges on next year’s mayoral election. Since the city’s mayor names the majority of members to the airport authority, the right candidate could provide a significant boost to the company’s future prospects.

Fyodor Dostoyevsky

His name is a mouthful, but chances are you’ve read his books. The Gambler. Crime and Punishment. Yup, that’s all Dostoyevsky. And these books were inspired by the Russian novelist’s penchant for gambling and the fact that he lived most of his life in debt (he obviously wasn’t’ a very good gambler).

President Warren Harding

When your job is arguably the most important one in the world, you need to take the edge off. President Warren G. Harding loved to play golf twice a week. But that wasn’t the only pastime he embraced. The 29th President of the United States loved to play poker, smoke cigars, and drink whiskey, we’re guessing all at the same time. We’re not sure if he gambled real money, but that didn’t stop him from raising the stakes. He once lost all the White House china on one hand of poker.

Charles II

It was 1660 that’s famous in all the history books. It was then that Charles II restored the English monarchy. But to gamblers, 1660 will forever go down in history as the year that gambling truly took off. Charles II was very interested in games of chance, so much so that his love of gambling spread throughout his kingdom and beyond. Eventually, the games of chance that were popular in England made their way to North America.

Casanova

Get your mind out of the gutter, ladies. Sure, Casanova is known as history as a wild womanizer. But if you dig a little deeper you’ll learn that his love for gambling was equal to or outweighed his love of the ladies.

Casanova de Seingalt did it all. He was a lawyer. An author. An adventurer. And his penchant for adventure led him to become a professional gambler at the age of 21. However, without the willpower to leave when fortune turned, Casanova decided to put his gambling career on hold. But that didn’t stop him from playing on the side.

Monet

Did you know that Claude Monet was a messenger? Yup, the world famous painter was once a full-time messenger with barely any free time to paint. But that all changed in 1891 and you can thank gambling for that. It was then that Money won $13,450 playing the French lottery. That’s a lot of lettuce by today’s standards. His newfound fortune allowed Claude Monet to quit his job and devote his life to painting.

Who deserves to be on our list

We’re guessing you were expecting someone like Abraham Lincoln to make our list. Or maybe someone even more obvious. But not at The Virtual Casino. We dig deep to bring you interesting facts that most online casino players and gamblers in general might not know. Did you like what you’ve read? Feel free to share it on Facebook or Twitter.

5) M*A*S*H

We know, we know. Technically this classic sitcom about a team of doctors and support staff in the Korean War kicked off its run in the 1970s, but, since it didn’t conclude until 1983, we’re putting it on the list. Imagine spinning the reels and racking up dough while following the stories of Benjamin Franklin ‘Hawkeye’ Pierce and Margaret ‘Hot Lips’ Houlihan throughout their 11 year stint on a television show about a war that lasted less than four years.

4) Star Trek: The Next Generation

Commonly referred to as the greatest Star Trek franchise ever produced, this slot machine would definitely have it all. If you’re a fan of Jean Luc Picard, Data and Worf, you can bet that you’d have a great time boldly going where no man has gone before aboard the legendary Enterprise. Are you ready to explore the final frontier, seeking out new life and new civilizations? If so, this is definitely the slot for you!

3) Hill Street Blues

Crime dramas and the 1980s go together like peanut butter and jelly, so it’s no surprise to find the initiator of the movement on this list. Get ready to put on your uniform and try your hand at solving crimes in the unnamed metropolis setting of this classic show. In 1991, the popular show was released as a video game on the Amiga, Atari ST and DOS platforms, so it’s the perfect option for a slot machine update.

2) Magnum, P.I.

Do you have the mustache needed to live in a Hawaii beach house, drive a Ferrari and take rides in helicopters while occasionally solving a mystery or two? For players who’ve always wanted a taste of the unbelievably good life, a slot machine stroll in the shoes of Tom Selleck’s most famous role is just about as ‘80s as it gets.

1) Pee-Wee’s Playhouse

Just imagine the sound effects that this whimsical slot adaptation could feature. Think of the genies, cowboys, pterodactyls, clocks and puppet couches that could help you celebrate your triumphs with every spin. Sure, this show may have, at one time, been aimed at kids, but I think we can all agree that Pee-Wee Herman’s unique form of entertainment is the perfect source material for one trippy slot adventure.

Did your favorite 1980s show make the list? When there’s a full decade of entertainment from which to choose, it’s no easy task fitting in every suitable option. However, one thing is most certainly for sure. The online gaming industry could definitely benefit from the introduction of more slot machines based on our favorite ‘80s shows. With a full selection of comedy, drama and suspense, the 1980s had it all!