Richard Henderson visited AIG courtesy of event organiser Clarion Gaming to investigate emerging i-Gaming trends for Australia's bible of the technically savvy, Gizmag. While technology was the name of the game - it wasn't restricted to the games.
The odds are pretty high that most people did a double take when reading a headline that depicts the online gambling industry in a new, positive light. After returning from the Asian Interactive Gaming summit in Macau, we can report that online gaming operators are assisting authorities in a global crackdown on money laundering.
The Online Gaming Industry?
Year after year, advancements in back-end software technology are helping to fight organised crime - and catch criminals. In contrast to its altogether maligned public countenance, the online industry is proactive and meticulous about fair play. There was a sideshow of exhibitors at AIG, the majority of whom were offering the trade, player and vendor protection. Platforms that revolved around payment systems, authentication and security were more in evidence than remarkable game innovations.
So advanced are many of the platforms that they are adopted globally by banking and financial organisations. If all the hysteria of criminal elements and mafia tie-ups within the industry were to be believed, these events should be like a mafia wedding.
With two hundred presentable business people packing MBAs, rather than revolvers and knuckledusters, the event went another step closer to beating the industry's clearly undeserved criminal rap. The police in attendance were there at Clarion's invitation.
If Elvis were alive - or more likely someone was impersonating him - the technology in place today would immediately pin him
Delegates were glued to a presentation delivered by a former head of the Money Laundering and Proceeds of Crime Unit with the Australian Federal Police, Sandra Lawrence. Assisting us with our inquiries regards to money laundering and combating criminality, it was clear from her presentation that the industry take this proxy policing role seriously and various 'Robocop' software is protecting the good name of gambling.
The various online gambling groups and industry bodies are conscious about public perception and work to maintain an exemplary report card. If anyone within their ranks should step out of line - which you will soon appreciate is rare - the operators are straight onto Bush Telegraph 2.0 reporting misdemeanors to the relevant authorities. An affiliate network estimated to be in the millions of operators are their backup - or posse. Vigilantism is real. He who sullies the reputation of the industry is run out of town.
Part of their voluntary policing role is assessing and reporting players that may be suspected of involvement in organized crime and laundering the proceeds from drug trafficking, human trafficking, prostitution, extortion and other rackets.
Although unsubstantiated, it has been alleged that terrorists use online gambling to transfer money - avoiding an electronic paper trail and escaping detection. While all that is proven true of terrestrial casinos, it is increasingly unlikely online.
If Mr A pretends to be Mr B fraudulently wagering millions of Euros in dirty money over the internet, chances are he - or they - will have already been brought to the attention of the Federal Police and Interpol. Legal land-based casinos do not have a good record when it comes to thwarting organised crime. Alarm bells rarely go off in terrestrially based casinos, unless it is a battalion of slots machines sounding off to gamblers.
Online casino operators - at least their software - proves itself far more vigilant and effective in exposing criminal intent. Human error almost never plays a role.
And the Net gets tighter year after year. It was suggested that the i-Gaming industry have assisted police in busting numerous crime rings. Stealth software track irregular or even overly regular transactions; raise flags at the multiple user accounts from identical addresses - and others we shan't advertise - which may point to money laundering.
Naturally the latest innovations in i-Gaming get unveiled at an event like AIG. There is a distinct absence of shady mobster types hiding behind sunglasses and surrounded by minders. Other than online gaming itself having different levels of acceptance - some countries embrace it, others condone it; some deem it as legal and others as illegal
It is hysterical to talk about underage players masquerading as legitimate players or hacking into online offerings, just as it is overkill to talk about wholesale manipulation and cheating by the online casinos themselves. The various technologies that the Industry employs makes it impossible for an underage player to gatecrash a online poker game. That is whether they are simply curious and purporting to be 18+ or using the credit card they swiped from a pensioner's purse. The continuing argument just makes a mockery of those who level such allegations at the online gaming industry.
We digress. Scratchies.com had meetings with some amazing people who are involved in the gaming industry. One such gentleman we chatted to was mega entrepreneur and casino consulting impresario, Mr Hwa-Min Hsu. Flanked by his two burly bodyguards [actually they were his sons who would be a shoe in for Cleo's Bachelor of the Year - Mr Hsu was charismatic, humble and .... a Member of the Order of the British Empire..
In addition to having a wealth of marketing knowledge and a celebrated corporate and legal career, Mr Hsu also happens to have received one of the highest accolades that Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II can bestow. Apparently he has been a guest at a few United States Presidential inaugurations too. In that he also acts as an ambassador to the United Nations, we'll be diplomatic and not criticize his love of gambling.
Like so many other people at the symposium, he and his business-partner sons were in attendance to explore opportunities and break new ground in the industry. Among the throng of suits and ties, it seemed utterly ridiculous that these people are perceived as the types to break kneecaps, fund terrorist activities and pillage innocent pensioners.
I've said it before: in everyday life, people must be responsible for their actions and act in accordance with their conscience and common sense. If you are gambling, be responsible for your actions, act in accordance with your conscience and common sense.
The Media in general seem to derive a weird satisfaction from sensationalism. This is a sphere that seems to elicit the most unbalanced reporting of the facts. In the Pro-Life and Pro-Choice, the media seem to sit on the fence. That goes doubly for special interest groups and missionaries. It is a pity events like AIG are not reported in mainstream media. I don't think it is the gambling industry that needs to clean up its act.
Scratchies News
First off to our readers, we hope liked the preview of our ridiculous new ad. Thanks for the mail. While we enjoy doing them ourselves, we'll keep your ideas for future ads in mind. Keep 'em coming.
We were particularly interested in Multi-Platform Gaming applications for Scratchies and particularly the Pokies TV brand. The convergence of interactive television, mobile platforms and the Internet is the way the Business is going f-a-s-t. The potential in Asia for this style of play can not be underestimated. Australia will forever be playing catch-up, but the technology is upon us and already sticking its nose onto the scene.
If you were wondering where we were going with all this statistical gumbo and why the partner site went sideways, here's your answer: some months ago we put out feelers for a third party interested in piloting Scratchies.com in a joint venture arrangement.
Yes, we're going live! No, we're not certain who with. We are intent on bringing customers the very best gaming and entertainment experience on offer - and we haven't found p-r-e-c-i-s-e-l-y what we're looking for yet. We have been watching the market closely for a long time, included traveling to GIGSE [the Global Interactive Gaming Summit & Expo in Montreal] and consulting the best in i-Gaming today. We are now in discussions with two or three excellent shortlistees. All in good time.
Our ambition for Scratchies & Pokies are the emerging Asian markets. Patently, the potential for our raft of portals does not lie as affiliate/review sites. Scratchies.com is definitely not restricted to operating as a 'lottery' site - and that's not our intention.
We envisage that the group that controls Scratchies.com and the other sites will be far more likely to dedicate it to casino play and sportsbook. But it doesn't end there. More about Pokies TV and our plans later, because they are still top secret.
Whichever partner we decide on, our promise is that you will not be left high and dry - or in the dark again. Sorry. We also promise that in due course you will be clicking into what will be among the very best integrated i-Gaming experiences the web has to offer.
While they were primarily for our investors, the articles on site will give you an idea of where scratchies, pokies and online gaming are going in 2008 and beyond. If you are gambling, be responsible for your actions and act in accordance with your conscience.
God Bless
Richard and the Scratchies Team
Richard and the Scratchies Team
