For players themselves, many of these features are incredibly exciting, elevating the gaming experience. Online casinos are a little late to this party. Many other apps and industries have been using gamification and reward-based programs for years.

One gamification option is for casinos to provide tournaments and challenges. Through leaderboards, players can compete against one another attempting to win a portion of a prize pool. This is similar to the gamification features offered by fitness tracking apps, where players can see the daily workouts and calorie losses of friends.

Another option is to add daily rewards. This encourages players to log in each day to secure the reward, keeping them coming back. Often, this type of reward is offered in conjunction with a points-based loyalty program. Supermarket loyalty schemes have been around for years, and casino ones operate in the same manner. Customers earn points when spending (or betting), real money, with an array of bonuses offered as the redeemable rewards.

Malta Gaming Authority

One of the most important and influential licences in online gambling continues to be the one given out by the Malta Gaming Authority. Over the years, some of the most popular virtual ventures have sought out the licence, and having successfully achieved it, raised the prestige of the MGA.Today, many new online ventures first seek out the Maltese licence. Such has become their role in the industry that even a remote licence is deemed satisfactory. Do watch out for the Malta Gaming Authority stamp of approval when you visit an online casino the next time around.

Other Trustworthy Licensing Bodies

If you have come upon a new online casino, you should check to see whether they carry an established gaming licence from Malta, or any of the following:

The UK Gambling Commission

Founded in 2005, the licence is one of the most sought after, and one that sets really high standards for verification. If you see an online casino with the UK Gambling Commission approval, you can be confident to trust the enterprise.

Curacao Gaming Licence

One of the oldest online casino licences, it has borne witness to the rise and rise of the virtual sphere. The licence is a well-regulated one and ensures that all practices carried out are fair.

Gibraltar Regulatory Authority

Another well-recognised licence that established itself right on the cusp of the internet age and has now become a standard.

History of the WSOP

The World Series of Poker began in 1970; the first event was held in the Binion’s Horseshoe casino Las Vegas. At this time there were very few poker tables in Las Vegas, only around 70, and the host casino didn’t have a dedicated poker room. Around 30 gamblers attended the first World Series and the first champion of the event was Johnny Moss. He was not an overall tournament winner, but he was voted the ‘best player all round’ by the players in the event. The WSOP started off with humble beginnings, with no-one outside of Las Vegas knowing anything about it. The next WSOP events grew with more players and higher stakes. The event gained momentum and began to get a reputation as a sport that could be good entertainment for poker fans. CBS Sports televised the World Series of Poker for the first time in 1973, and it has continued to grow to now become the biggest event in poker. Other poker tournaments have benefited from this wave of popularity, but it was the WSOP, starting in the 1970s, that paved the way for the events we are familiar with today.

Get Clued Up On Strategies

Although every version of poker does have an element of gambling to it, skill, strategy and psychology all come into the equation as well. It is definitely worth reading up on these things before playing. A lot of knowing how to win, however, will come through intuition after playing more and more poker. As with any game that you’re playing for money, it’s important to know your limits. You should stick to an agreed amount that you can afford to lose and not buckle from it. If you do attempt to chase your losses, then this will only likely lead to a downward spiral and seriously hinder your profits in the long run. Following strategies, and knowing when to stop, will definitely help you to become a better poker player.