Historically it is a fact that prohibition does not work, in particular prohibition does not work in countries where politics dictate that people supposedly have the freedom of speech, freedom to information, freedom of association, and so on. The USA is a country where its citizens supposedly have these freedoms. In fact they call it "the land of the brave and the home of the free" in their very National Anthem.

Millions of Americans however, still gamble online. They do this at offshore sites and billions of dollars go into the coffers of what could be called unscrupulous websites, although some are quite above board – they are still offshore sites. The Government collects no tax revenue because the industry is not regulated, and the American Citizens who gamble at these sites, do so at even greater risk. In other words, they have very little to fall back on in the form of consumer protection.

Now that state-wide momentum is growing to legalize "intrastate" online gambling, the Presidential elections are also just around the corner, and this is where we get to the prohibition factor. Now that momentum is building in the fight "FOR" online gambling, we get statements in the news from the Republican party that online poker will be banned. This despite the fact that a recent court ruling from a NYC judge had the game declared one of skill.

Unfortunately, progress dictates two steps forward, and occasional steps back, this is the way of the world, and also the human condition. What is even more unfortunate is the fact that because prohibition does not work – millions of Americans will continue to play poker and/or gamble online. And by the same token, this money, which could be generating tax revenue, will still pour out of the country.

It is a well-known fact that the USA is cash-strapped. Every state is short of funding, and instead of looking at innovative ways to stimulate the economy, the Republicans seem to be determined to stand on moral high ground and send the United States even deeper into debt.

Online gambling is a proven money-spinner, and with mobile gambling taking off in popularity like the proverbial rocket-ship; this industry is going to grow from a multi-billion dollar industry; to a multi-multi-billion dollar industry. One of the most dynamic things about the online gambling business, is it has proven to be recession-proof. Not many businesses can boast of that.

While Republicans want to make the Internet ”Family-Friendly”, perhaps they do not realise that the Internet is a Global phenomenon, not just an American convenience that they can manipulate as they see fit. It is up to parents to ensure that their internet access is family friendly, not up to the US Government to decide what family friendly is. The government needs to stick to the bigger issues at hand such reducing the Chinese debt, we hardly think online gambling needs to be banned in the light of this.

Currently the Spanish economy is really not doing well. In fact a good number of European countries are struggling and some are looking at internet gambling as an additional revenue stream. Spain is hoping for windfall from online gambling, but as this industry will be brand new, it is hard to say that will actually take place. One thing we can be assured of is that the Spaniards love a gamble, just as much, if not more than the rest of us do – especially considering their love of sports; in particular football.. Whether they will have the money to spend…well that remains to be seen?

The online gambling shake-up takes place this week, and the Government is hoping it will capture and audience as well as some much-needed tax income into their state coffers. Newly licensed companies are currently slugging it out to win to win market share, and there is definitely a sense that online poker and sports betting fans are lining up to take part. The Spanish government is heavily indebted to the EU and others, so, awarded licenses to operators for the first time on Friday the 1st June.

According to the outgoing central bank head – he recently warned that income tax in this country may really fall short as they struggle to refinance €98 billion in debt and deficit of €52 billion.
While the amount of tax to be raised from this new industry is bound to be small in comparison to the size of its debt and deficit, we all know every little bit helps. Online gambling firms will be taxed on gross profits, at between 10% and 25%. There will be no tax on individual wagers, so, it is not at the point of sale.

According to the gaming association, the Spanish market in this industry sector could be worth more than €800 million 0r $1 billion by 2014. So far the sector has been dominated by foreign players, even within Spain, and this includes with Codere – a large Spanish betting concern. With others about to enter into the fray we can’t wait to see what will take place.

Spain has no limit on the amount of licenses it will award, which unlike most European countries. Take for example Germany which is only allowing seven for the time being. So far, fifty-nine gambling firms have applied for these licenses. Only a small portion of the fifty-nine applicants have been turned down, and only those which have not met all the necessary requirements need have fear of being turned down.

Sportingbet and Bwin.party digital (both London Stock exchange listed) are already active in the unregulated Spanish market, and are expected to be main contenders. Betfair, Ladbroke and 888 will be joining the crowd. Currently his online gambling sector is considered to be ‘on fire’. People are also fully aware that if you don’t have an online presence, then there is probably no future for your business. This tenet does not only apply to the Internet gambling industry, it basically applies to us all.

The award was determined by readers of Gambling Online Magazine and is considered among the most coveted in the gambling industry.

Titan Poker has been awarded the 2012 Gambling Readers’ Choice Award for Best Poker Customer Service for the third consecutive year. The award was determined by readers of Gambling Online Magazine and its website and is considered among the most prestigious in the gambling industry.

Titan Poker previously won Gambling Online Magazine’s Gold Award for providing the Best Online Poker Customer Service in the years 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, and 2011.

Readers of Gambling Online’s magazine and website vote for their favorites in a host of categories each year. Because the readers themselves vote for these awards, they count for a lot more, according to Gambling Online. "These awards reflect the thinking of the gambling public at large," the magazine has stated.

In response, Titan Poker said the award "really brings to light our ongoing commitment to ensuring the best possible online poker experience and how our friendly customer service agents will always take that extra step in answering the players’ needs. We look forward to the coming year and continuing to work together to improve the customer service and maintain our position above the competition."

New players are invited to try out the free poker download available at Titan Poker, confident that any inquiries they may have will be answered promptly by Titan Poker’s dedicated, multi-lingual support personnel, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. Players seeking assistance can contact Titan Poker by telephone, fax, email, or through an online support chat system in the poker software.