ABC Money

Play Smart: The Do’s & Don’ts of Online Gambling

Finance

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12 June 2017

Play Smart: The Do’s & Don’ts of Online Gambling

In any form of gambling, there is a degree of chance, even for those that have mastered the art of reading a stern poker face and deciphering their player’s next move. Lucky hands and winning streaks are a thrilling way to spend free time, as long as you play careful and know when to fold. Playing responsibly will ensure you never end up in a sticky situation so the odds are always in your favour – even if you don’t win. Take the risk while staying safe with the do’s and don’ts of online gambling.

Do:

1. Know what you are signing up for

Make sure you know what you are signing up for before you start playing games online. Some online casino games, like bingo, offer welcome sign-up bonuses which can be great to learn how to play certain games you haven’t played before.

Ensure the website has a suitable deposit scheme and you’re able to withdraw at any time. If you are unsure, contact the website directly to find out.

2. Check the licensing of a site before parting with your hard-earned-cash

Before you jump right in with both feet, ensure the gambling website is licensed and reputable. The last thing you want to do is give over your personal information and money to a site that is not trustworthy. Read up on their terms and conditions and only play on sites that you really trust. You can even look for reviews to see what other people using their site thinks before you make your final decision.

3. Set yourself a budget

…and stick to it. Plan how much money you are willing to risk losing before you begin gambling online.

Gambling is renowned for taking more than just people’s money because some don’t play responsibly. Every time you play, make sure you know how much you can afford to lose incase the odds do not go in your favour.

Don’t:

4. Gamble while under the influence

Reckless, alcohol induced, decisions could take this much-loved pastime to a dark place. Poor judgement could make the difference between winning and losing, and you might not be aware of how much money you are spending. And this goes for stress too. You will not be able to play your best game if you are feeling stressed or anxious which could lead to bad decision-making and could cost you big buck.

5. Try your luck with ‘betting systems’ & quick wins

You may have seen advertisements online, offering to teach you the secret ways to beat the game. These are usually con artists that ask for money in exchange of a useless guide to winning your game of choice.

Instead, focus on furthering your knowledge in your favorite game by reading informative guides and tips to help you better your game. Take a look at our previous post How to win at roulette for example.

6. Stifle your chances of winning

Don’t let the casino have the upper hand. Take a look at your casino’s payout percentage to ensure you are in for a chance to win. If you notice that their payout percentage is low, chances are, they don’t offer games that give users the chance to win very often. If possible, find the payout percentage for the specific game you want to play to stack the odds even further in your favour.

These days, there’s no need to jet off to Vegas to enjoy the thrill of gambling. While it is possible to gamble online, you need to ensure you are taking the necessary steps to remain safe online. Follow these simple steps to give yourself even more of a chance to win. The secret to successful online gambling is doing your research and knowing when luck isn’t on your side. How will you play your next game?

UK casino stocks show signs of growth

Finance

ABC Staff

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9 June 2017

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Figures for the value of gambling in the UK, released by gambling regulator the Gambling Commission have shown a continued rise, with the sector currently worth £13.8 billion in the year to September 2016. You can see some of the bestcasinosites here.

For many it may appear an appealing – and profitable – industry, but are casino stocks a gamble worth taking? Investment in gambling stocks have cooled in recent years.

Some point to a changing demographic and different interests of the Millennial generation as a reason. Others take a more socially responsible approach, noting that ethically-minded investors have tended to avoid casino investment and reject so-called ‘sin stocks’.

However, according to Matt High, content editor at Casinopedia.org, the casino industry’s leading news publisher “The appetite for investment in gambling related companies seems stronger than ever. That’s particularly the case in the UK, were the market continues to grow unabated – both in terms of rising land-based casino revenue and the growth of online developers.

“Overseas too, the market is booming. Macau’s growth, which has surpassed the expectations of many, and the resurgence of Las Vegas thanks to a number of proposed building projects, has prompted a continued interest in global casino stock investment.”

UK casino market recovery

One of the major challenges faced by casinos is attracting young people to their tables. While millennials and Gen Y tend to respond well to sports betting, especially football betting, they are not attending casino venues in huge numbers.

The typical market for casino games is still those aged 40 and above. Yet changes in game styles – such as the introduction of video game gambling – and a wider focus on online casinos has started to bring more young players back.

Expansion into international markets has also helped the fortunes of a number of UK casino brands, and the global demand for gambling services has grown too. Drop data for the UK last year suggests that £1 billion was won by operators – an increase to 13.5% in total.

This suggests that investors might see strong returns on their stake. We took a look at some leading British casino brands and how their stocks are currently performing, helping UK investors make a more informed decision.

Rank Group: RNK (LSE)

UK-based Rank is one of the most recognisable names in UK gambling sector today. Responsible for the likes of Mecca Bingo and also of Grosvenor Casinos, along with its own online brand Rank Interactive, the company has diversified its gambling income through involvement in a number of markets. Stock prices for June are close to the 30-day high at 221.30, and the company has seen a steady rise since May. The RNK market value is currently capped at £864.58 million and the company earned £71.1 million during the 2016/17 financial year. There are no major changes predicted for Rank, and the business is exposed to a wide range of gambling activity and a number of growing market sectors.

Inter Game Tech: IGT (NYSE)

The market for online casino game developers has seen significant growth in recent years with a positive outlook for many leading software companies. International Gaming Technology (IGT) has had a particularly good year. The business, which is known for its innovative approach to the market, made headlines at the end of May thanks to a series of unusually high progressive jackpots that were won at Vegas Casino. While big payouts do, on occasion, make investors nervous, IGT has not been harmed. Stock prices have climbed to a three-month high and currently sit at 18.67 (a 1.25% daily increase). IGT presently boasts a market cap rate of $3.73 and appears to be in recovery after a market slump over 2015 and 2016. New game titles and moves into new and innovative markets are sure to bring further improvements.

William Hill: WMH (LSE)

British bookmaker William Hill has not seen the gains that some gambling companies are reporting, but maintains a steady rise and is still performing within expected averages for the year. It remains a consistent market leader in the field of sports betting, and a unit price of 283.20 on average represents a 0.56% increase in 200-day profits. A £2.43 billion market cap places William Hill in the top end of the gambling market, and further expansion into Europe and Australia ensure it has a major influence on betting consumers.

However, regulatory pressure is on the horizon, with the government pledging to consider the future of fixed odds betting terminals, and a potential cutting of the maximum bet from £100 to £2.

Paddy Power Betfair: PPB (LSE)

Irish-British bookmaker Paddy Power is seeing a different stock landscape to many of its rivals due to a somewhat turbulent year. However, it is to be noted that overall profits remain up and there is still much confidence in the business.

The company has a current trading high of 8,485,000 and an annual dividend yield of 1.85%.

May saw a drop in fortunes for the betting firm, but there has been a steady recovery since. Prices sit at 1.20% against daily trading highs and shares in the firm has seen a boost in response to growing revenues and exposure to both online and high street betting operations.

Net-Ent: NET-B (STO)

While not a UK developer, Swedish-based NetEnt is certainly worth considering right now. The game-maker has recently launched a huge range of new slot games, available at many online casinos, which offer fresh modern gameplay and which are achieving plenty of attention as a result.

As a result, finances for the developer look strong this year. Unit prices reached a 72.05 high point this week, representing a significant improvement over five years. With potential profits about to increase through new games licenses, Net-Ent is a good bet for UK investors.

Why budgeting is crucial for a small business

Business

ABC Staff

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7 June 2017

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Why budgeting is crucial for a small business

If you’re in charge of an SME, you will know how much difference just a small amount of cash can make within a budget. When you have staff and suppliers to think of when payday comes around, it’s vitally important to keep on top of your business accounting practices. Even if you outsource your accounts to someone else,employ someone to manage them or keep control yourself, it’s incredibly important to ensure you have good money habits and always know the health of your business finances.

Planning ahead

If your business relies on suppliers to help take on client jobs, you can use your budget to assess how many of these jobs you can take on. Bare in mind that it’s inevitable that some of your clients may not pay you on time for the work you do for them. Having an idea of your monthly finances can also enable you to keep track of the rise of your business year on year and make predictions for upcoming years.

Budgeting isn’t only about the now and before, it’s key for the future too. No matter how big or small, most business owners have plans for expansion, and your finances will no doubt play a part in those plans. Any budget will be not be foolproof, but knowing your money flow will give you the best idea of how you can afford to grow. Knowing your business’s financial state will also allow you to know how high to set goals for your company to comfortably achieve. It will also help you to set salary expectations for your staff.

Creating cutbacks

Making up a budget will also give you a chance to match your outgoings with your incomings. While you can’t always know what your incomings will be, you can always keep on top of what is going out of your business banking accounts. Comparing and changing can sometimes save you hundreds a year and keeping overheads down, keeps your profit up, so check what you pay your suppliers and utility companies and do your research. If you’ve been with your current suppliers for a while, try getting them down on price as you are a loyal customer. The same goes with the rent on your business premises. If rents are gradually creeping up then negotiate with your landlord. If they aren’t prepared to bend, then look for somewhere that makes life easier.

After a few years, once you’ve been working in your business for long enough, you should have a good idea of swings and roundabouts of the industry. For example catering companies will see a rise during the hotter season when people are holding events or weddings, and travel agents will see a boom in the winter months as families start booking trips for the summer months and budgeting will allow you to go with the flow of busy months but still keep your head above water when things are a little quieter.

If there are any big discrepancies and your cash isn’t going your way, it could be time to make some more serious cut backs. If your staff overheads are costing too much or are becoming unattainable it might be time to make some tough decisions. The same goes for staff perks and extras. If you have company cars or big trips away then make sure you’re getting the best deal on them. If they are still eating away at your profit then it’s time to trim the fat and get rid.

Pic credit – The Blue Diamond Gallery, Nick Youngson, CC

Currency changes have a big impact on share prices

Sam Allcock

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6 June 2017

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Currency changes have a big impact on share prices

For essential goods, the overall impact may be limited as importing companies and consumers have little choice and need to keep buying regardless of price considerations. This could be the case for key commodity inputs which cannot be sourced elsewhere.

Other companies will be much more vulnerable, especially in the case of luxury goods or where it is easy to find substitute goods. In these circumstances, there is a higher risk that sales will decline in response to higher costs.

Burberry, for example, is a UK luxury brand with big sales in China. The People’s Bank of China pushed the yuan lower in August 2015 with USD/CNY strengthening to 6.40 from 6.20 while there were further gains to 6.60 in early 2016.

There were concerns surrounding weaker Chinese demand and there was a direct impact in raising the cost of Burberry goods in China. Fears over a negative impact on sales and earnings pushed the Burberry share price lower with a decline of close to 32% from the end of July 2015 to early January 2016.

Earnings effect also important

The second important factor comes in from the translation effect on earnings depending on where a company is listed. This is particularly important for the UK market given that a large number of companies in the FTSE 100 index are international companies.

In the mining sector, for example, companies are global in nature, but listed in the UK market. These companies also primarily sell commodities which are priced in dollars and their earnings are also denominated in dollars.

With the companies reporting in Sterling terms, there will be an important impact on earnings in Sterling terms and this factor also has an important impact on the share price.

If, for example, a company has profits of $100mn in a year, the Sterling valuation before currency depreciation would have been £67mn. If GBP/USD falls sharply to 1.25 from 1.50, the Sterling valuation of earnings will increase to £80mn.

There will, therefore, tend to be an increase in the valuation of shares based on current earnings and expectations of higher earnings over the medium term.

For example, Rio Tinto’s share price was trading at £2,090 immediately ahead of the June 2016 UK referendum on EU membership. The company has Sterling revenues of less than 1.0% with most earnings dollar dominated.

The share price rallied 10% in the week following the referendum vote as Sterling declined sharply. There was a net gain of 67% following by the middle of January when GBP/USD declined to the 1.2000 area.

The FTSE 100 index 22.6% from after the EU referendum until early 2017 with gains for internationally-based companies a key element in the gains.

Keeping up to date with the market

One very good way of keeping up to date with the markets and get a notion of what they entail for the future is using specialised currency brokers like OFX. Once you register (for free) you will be assigned with a currency trader which can keep you up to date on the market movements upon request. This is a free service, as these specialists will eventually turn profit you were to use their currency transfer functions.

Another option is to use a technological platform like Currencyfair. There, you can set up limit orders in a currency marketplace.

Effective Ways to Get Out of Debt

Finance

Sam Allcock

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5 June 2017

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Like the United States, the United Kingdom is no stranger to debt. Of all the cities in the UK, London ranks at #1 with the highest level of credit card debt according to Experian. Fueling rising debt levels in London are millennials renting in the city. The two areas that are most susceptible to high levels of debt are Putney and Wandsworth. In terms of credit card debt, Bishopsgate and Liverpool Street ranked at the top, while Cheapside and Westend were close in tow.

According to the Bank of England (BoE), the April value of outstanding credit card debt was £68.1 billion. The 5 areas that contribute most to credit card debt in the UK are Edinburgh, Glasgow, London, Aldershot, and Hatfield. A consultant from Experian, James Jones, stated that Britons are much more dependent on credit facilities today than they were 20 years ago. Added to that is the fact that approximately 50% of young people must resort to borrowing, or going to their parents to pay for unexpected bills. This is evidence of a ‘cash crunch’ in the UK among millennials.

Dealing with Debt

Meanwhile, credit card holders in the United Kingdom have been given a form of relief by the FCA (Financial Conduct Authority). Lenders have been instructed to help customers who cannot make minimum monthly repayments on their credit card debt. According to the FCA, 3.3 million people in the UK are locked in a debt cycle where they have repaid more in interest and related payments than they have on the principal of their debt. The FCA believes that credit card companies are profiting off these low-income earners since they are generating consistent profits with little change to the initial borrowed amounts. The FCAs guidelines are designed to pressure lenders to assist, while borrowers seek out various debt relief options of their own.

The debt threshold timeframe is 18 months. In other words, if persistent debt exists for 1.5 years, the FCA is insisting that lenders pressure customers to make payments quickly to avoid escalating debt. If the numbers are correct, customers could save up to £13 billion within the next 17 years. The CEO of the FCA, Andrew Bailey, believes that there is tremendous merit with credit cards, however the minority of customers who are in persistent credit card debt is a troubling sign for the UK economy. For example, £25 is being paid for every £10 repaid. This makes it incredibly difficult to get out of debt. It works against the interests of banks and credit companies to comply with FCA requirements, but regulation will force the issue.

Many Britons ‘Clueless ‘about Credit Card Interest

According to MoneySupermarket, approximately two thirds of Britons check their credit card statements once every month. However, the more troubling statistic is that 13% of Britons have no idea about the interest repayments on their cards. Perhaps the most alarming finding is that over two thirds of Britons have not checked their credit score in the past year, and over 20% wouldn’t even know how to do that. Borrowing has risen sharply since the June 23 Brexit referendum. According to statistics, 48% + of Britons have a credit card balance every month and the number of those with increasing debt burdens is rising sharply. While debt is relatively cheap in the United Kingdom, the Bank of England may surprise everyone and start to taper quantitative easing towards the end of the year. However, rising prices and stagnant wages are contributing to increasing levels of debt in the economy.

Some Surprising Facts Everyone Gets Wrong About E-Cigarettes

Health

Sam Allcock

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5 June 2017

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Some Surprising Facts Everyone Gets Wrong About E-Cigarettes

It was not later than a decade ago when vaping industry started flourishing and increased number of people was using e-cigarettes. As the trend went to become popular, researchers and medical experts picked this as a research topic. So far more than hundred reports are available, such as this CBD vape 1000mg. The most surprising factor is all of these are in favor of e-cigarettes and vaping. Some studies clearly demonstrated vaping is safer than traditional smoking while others stressed that it’s vaping that helps the regular smokers quit smoking. We all know, many people confuse the side and positive effects of vaping. Today, here we will look at some of the facts about e-cigarettes that are mistaken and what the truth is behind those.

Vaping Helps Quit Smoking

As we have stated, there are a large number of international health studies that agree vaping comes in handy for the smokers to quit. In a global study on use and impacts of e-cigarettes, 72% participants reported that vaping helped them quit smoking, 92% users experienced reduction in their daily smoking, and 96% reported that e-cigarettes helped them stop smoking while only 10% participants in the study were of the view that they felt a desire to smoke more tobacco after using e-cigarettes.

As our industry continues to grow, even mainstream publications are being forced to concede that there is some evidence that electronic cigarettes might be effective in helping smokers to quit. We have known this for some time. Another study invited 2000 smokers and those who were switching to vaping. Majority of the attendants claimed they felt they are heading towards quitting smoking after they started using vapes. It’s misunderstood that e-cigarettes and vaping are causing health risks but the fact is these are a great help to let the smokers quit it completely.

Vapor is Less Harmful than Cigarette Smoke

Whenever a traditional smoker will like to switch to vaping, on asking they revealed they are doing so because they found vaping less harmful, safer and less expensive as compared to normal smoking. “Absence of combustion and different chemical composition, leading to less toxic chemicals created and absorbed . . . electronic cigarettes may be a safer alternative to tobacco cigarettes”, a Greek Study revealed in 2012. Another research paper of the same year found some exciting benefits of vaping over cigarette smoke. They quoted e-cigarettes as a best tool to help smokers quit smoking for the good. Undeniably, there dozens of studies that all have confirmed vapor is a less harmful option than the smoke of traditional cigarettes.

E-Liquid Ingredients are not a Mystery

There is an increasing confusion among the users and haters of vaping as well that some hidden and mysterious kind of ingredients are used for preparation of e-liquids. After reading a manager who is responsible for manufacturing of e-liquids had to reveal there is no mystery in it at all. They use ingredients that are not harmful and one of them is vegetable glycerin. It’s not harmful but produces a large amount of vapor. The manager also confessed the e-cigarette users’ nicotine intake is far less than those who use traditional cigarettes.

In a nutshell, we have looked into some of the most common facts about vaping that have been mistaken. All the evidence and arguments stated here are derived from renowned studies. The role of the manager who works to take care of e-liquids during their preparation is important as he provided great amount of information and his viewed helped us put this write-up in front of the readers. I would conclude, the use of e-cigarettes is very safe, vaping is less harmful and above all less expensive, too.

Brits looking after the pennies as living costs soar

Finance

Jack Peat

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5 June 2017

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Brits looking after the pennies as living costs soar

Brits are looking after the pennies in the hope the pounds will look after themselves, a study revealed.

Researchers found having learned lessons from the recession more people than ever are successfully managing their money and doing their best to put cash away each month.

According to the results six out of ten adults now save regularly while just 13 per cent – or close to one in ten – still consider themselves a ‘splurger’.

The about-turn comes as the cost of living is at an all-time high.

David Winter, head of online electricity company for Powershop UK, which carried out the study of 2,000 people said: “As the cost of living rises it’s encouraging that more of us are budgeting in order to keep money aside.

“More of us try to budget and are increasingly looking at ways of understanding our outgoings to save money on bills and to spend on the things we actually like.”

The study found seven in 10 people typically try to budget, and the average only overspends by £63.42 a month.

Two thirds of people try to save as much spare cash as they can, with the monthly average save coming in at £247.41 – that’s an impressive three thousand pounds put away annually.

The survey shows men and women are adopting a string of money-saving tasks around the house to lower their bills and monthly spend.

Two thirds of people always turn the light off when leaving the room, while 54 per cent always shop around for insurance.

A further five in 10 people always make sure all the windows are shut if the heating is on, and the same percentage regularly check their direct debits to ensure they are correct and current.

A quarter of those polled have installed a water meter to monitor usage, 42 per cent never leave the TV on standby and 43 per cent keep a record of all payments.

A further five in 10 people always make sure all the windows are shut if the heating is on, and the same percentage regularly check their direct debits to ensure they are correct and current.

A quarter of those polled have installed a water meter to monitor usage, 42 per cent never leave the TV on standby and 43 per cent keep a record of all payments.

And the average person claims to have more than £11,000 put away in total, although a third will take money out of their savings pot in emergency situations.

Only a quarter of people answering the study are currently in debt, and this is to the tune of £7,452.90.

When it comes to spending money, nine out of 10 people keep a good track of where their money goes, and 78 per cent manage their credit card payments wisely.

And researchers found that rather than relying on the overdraft and credit card to get by, 55 per cent are more likely to save up for larger more expensive purchases before buying.

Savvy savers are even on top of their bank accounts, with 82 per cent claiming to know exactly how much cash they have in their current account and a further 80 per cent knowing what is in their savings to the nearest penny.

When it comes to managing money, the study found 61 per cent of people no longer turn a blind eye to their finances, preferring to keep track of every penny and pound.

Despite this 44 per cent of those who took part said they struggle to make ends meet on a monthly basis.

David Winter for Powershop UK continues: “Despite the rising cost of living there are savings to be had and some savvy budgeting by Great British bargain hunters on everything from takeaways to electricity bills can make a difference to household income.”

TOP 10 MONEY SAVING TIPS:

Turn off the lights when you leave the room
Shop around for insurance
Shut the windows if the heating is on
Check direct debits to make sure they’re current and correct
Keep a record of payments
Shower instead of bath
Only boil enough water to drink
Make sure the TV isn’t left on standby
Put on a jumper instead of turning the heating on
Make shopping lists and stick to them

3 Ways to Save Energy in a Period Home

ABC Staff

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2 June 2017

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There is no doubt about it; the UK is in the midst of a cost of living crisis that is crippling households nationwide. This is distinguished primarily by the rising rate of inflation, with the cost of food and energy continuing to rise exponentially.

Energy is a particular area of concern, with the UK’s so-called ‘big six’ energy suppliers expected to pass on the cost of price hikes to their customers throughout 2017.

This places the onus on home-owners to reduce their energy consumption and monthly expenditure, but this can be difficult for those who live in period homes. With this in mind, let’s take a look at how such individuals can save energy in their properties:

Get a Smart Meter

In many ways, this is the easiest and most effective way of saving energy in a period home. This is because smart meters enable you to monitor your daily energy consumption, highlighting appliances or periods of the day that are seeing excessive usage.

British Gas can install a smart meter for free on behalf of customers, providing a seamless and cost-effective way to make long-term savings.

The sooner you install a smart meter in your period home, the sooner you can make savings and reduce your energy consumption.

Invest in Energy-saving Appliances

The use of the word investment is relevant here, as buying efficient and energy-saving appliances can save you huge sums of money over time.

The energy efficiency of an appliance is indicated by rating, with products with a score of A+++ proven to be the best-performing. By upgrading to the highest rating appliances within your period home, you can trigger longer-term savings while also reducing your households’ carbon footprint.

This may require an initial investment, but it is one that will deliver huge returns over time.

Insulate Your Loft and Repair Sash Windows

On a final note, it is also important to upgrade the insulation in your period home and its external fittings. This is because these structures were built prior to the First World War, and we have seen significant advancements in the material used to construct, heat and secure homes.

Upgrade your hose insulation and make your house more energy efficient. Loft insulation grant is available under the government ECO home scheme. Warma UK an energy grant specialist can help you to access the grants.

You should start by insulating your loft space, as heat rises and tends to escape through the upper floors. Adding a window film with insulating properties help control excess heat, light and glare. Remember, your loft can be insulated with minimal structural work or disruption, while the material used to complete this task can be purchased for as little as £5.40 per square metre.

It also makes perfect sense to replace (or at least repair) your period sash windows. Outlets such as FortisHooke can even remodel contemporary sash windows to replicate a period look, helping you to upgrade and add value to your home while also maintaining its aesthetic.

Are Online Industries Flourishing in Africa?

ABC Staff

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2 June 2017

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Are Online Industries Flourishing in Africa?

Over the past few years, there has been a debunking of a popular narrative regarding African economies. From the early 2000’s to around 2014, the “Africa is rising” narrative had gained widespread acclaim both in the West and within the continent. Backed by economic growth rates above 6 percent per annum, countries in the continent were global leaders in economic growth.

A drop in commodity prices in the global market coupled with adverse weather patterns and political instability soon derailed the steps that had already been made. It turns out, there was little to no actual and sustainable economic growth. The same is largely true when it comes to online industries within the continent.

Much has been made, and rightly so, of the technological innovations originating from within the continent. Businesses such as Mpesa, Jumia, OLX and Konga, have put Nigeria and Kenya on the global technology map. They have demonstrated an innovative utilization of technology in tackling domestic challenges.

However, these major achievements must not blind us to the reality pertaining online industries within the continent. They are yet to flourish. The uptake of technology in Africa is still erratic, though at times breathtakingly disruptive.

A Success Story

An analysis of the gaming industry would aptly illustrate this point. For instance, many betting enthusiast first heard of Sportpesa; an online betting company when they were announced as the official sponsors of Hull City football club. The sponsorship of these global sporting brands had hitherto been a preserve of other global brands and not of an online gaming start up from Africa. Sportpesa is now among the top most recognizable brands in Kenya.

Sportpesa’s success has since attracted several entrants into the market offering online casinos with a strong bias on sport betting. However, the majority of the new entrants aren’t doing as well. This is largely true across the rest of the continent. A few are thriving, but the majority is struggling. The growth is stunted, if any at all.

Why aren’t Online Industries Flourishing?

The first challenge facing most online businesses within the continent is a lack of trust. Interacting with tech savvy individuals, you encounter a lack of trust regarding transacting online. A fear of frauds keeps many off online industries. Most will research but never transact. To operate, businesses have had to adopt payment methods familiar to the locals. Jumia and OLX illustrate this model aptly. All their payments are made after delivery, in cash or through the trusted Mpesa platform.

The second challenge is lack of infrastructure to support the online enterprises. Electricity and internet access is unreliable, expensive or absent. Internet access remains primarily by mobile phone. This, whilst adoptable for sport betting, isn’t so good for most online commerce ventures. The main reason behind Mpesa’s success is that it offered a form of banking to the un-banked.

This reach shows just how weak the banking infrastructure is. Credit cards, PayPal and other forms of online payments are just not accessible. Mobile platforms are the way to go in this continent.

Another major challenge to online gambling is the uncertain policy environment. Whilst governments can offer incentives and suitable environments for tech start-ups to grow, they are often a major source of difficulty. In Kenya for example, following a change in administration, the momentum gained by the installation of the undersea fiber optic cable was lost to a change in policy priority. In 2017, under pressure to increase revenues, the government targeted betting companies and casino, raising the tax from 30 percent to a staggering 50 percent.

A unique challenge has arisen to counter the progress made by online gaming. Prior to the entry of sport betting, much of the continent was ignorant on the subject of gaming. This awareness of gaming has opened the door to local entrepreneurs to offer other forms of gaming. Slot boxes and back alley unregulated gambling dens are sprouting across the land offering competition to online companies.

Future Possibilities

Whilst the outlook for online industries in the continent is positive, it has yet to flourish given its potential. Gambling, however, is at the forefront of this expansion having ridden on the popularity of European football, locally established/familiar technology (Mpesa) and mobile telephony. Other forms of online enterprise, including non-sport-betting casino, are some distance behind.

Whilst there are several challenges to this growth, technological innovations will probably see the continent across the Rubicon.

How to win at Roulette : 5 steps

Finance

Sam Allcock

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26 May 2017

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From Las Vegas to Macau, casino-goers around the world are always looking to tip the odds in their favour.

How to win roulette in a real casino needs expert advice. The Internet is full of self-professed roulette tips experts who think they know about everything, including strategies for winning at roulette.

Spin the wheel a couple of times before starting your turn.

If you have been playing for long than remember what numbers, colors a particular table hit mostly. Keep track of your previous score and it will help you predict colors and numbers for next rounds.

Play European Roulette, not American Roulette

There are 2 types of tables at roulette. American and European Roulette table do not play on the American table as they have 00 in addition that decrease your probability of winning. There are chances of 1/37 while playing European casino and 1/38 while playing American casinos.

Withdraw your profits as they come

It is very easy to take more money from the ATM and lose more. Never play with more than you’re prepared to lose. And if you lose your set bankroll, accept the loss and walk away a prepared loser. It may be great to win back losses, but chasing old losses leads to gambling addiction. Also remember that money will come and go all your life.

Why not put these tips into practice, using the 888 casino promo code

Choose tables that aren’t too busy

It is very frustrating when you are waiting for other players to be paid. Busy tables tend to spin too infrequently, and aren’t fun to play on. Generally the time of day determines how busy tables are.

Winning Big

If losing doesn’t matter so much, but you really want to win big, place bets on the largest payouts and cross your fingers. It may sound a bit cynical, but in the long run, it’s the most realistic way to leave the roulette table with substantial winnings.

Fun fact: roulette is also known as the Devil’s Game, because if you add all the numbers on the table together, you come up with 666 – the number of the beast according to the book of revelations.

Conclusion: For good gamblers, the long run is all we have, so take advantage of these tips and try your best to save every chip you can over time

Do:

1. Know what you are signing up for

2. Check the licensing of a site before parting with your hard-earned-cash

3. Set yourself a budget

Don’t:

4. Gamble while under the influence

5. Try your luck with ‘betting systems’ & quick wins

6. Stifle your chances of winning

UK casino market recovery

Rank Group: RNK (LSE)

Inter Game Tech: IGT (NYSE)

William Hill: WMH (LSE)

Paddy Power Betfair: PPB (LSE)

Net-Ent: NET-B (STO)

Planning ahead

Creating cutbacks

Earnings effect also important

Keeping up to date with the market

Dealing with Debt

Many Britons ‘Clueless ‘about Credit Card Interest

ABC Money 2025 - 1st Edition