Another year is about to come to pass as we reflect on the greatest highlights. Reminiscing over the last 12 months evokes recollections that will forever be stored in our hearts for safe keeping and then there are those we would prefer to forget. Celebratory events have taken center stage with the birth of babies, engagements, weddings, graduations, moving up the business ladder of success and a great deal more.
We here at LCB have had our share of momentous highlights and significant changes including our new web design, 10th anniversary, $3 shop credits for depositing at participating casinos and other new features.
More casinos started following trends with standards that incorporate more than one software into their platform of products. Libraries are massive with some more than over 1,000 games. Free spins are a common staple to reward customers. Bitcoin banking has become a more popular option at online casinos.
The gambler in us can’t help but think about the biggest wins and regrettably, the worst losses. History tends to repeat itself and for many not waking up and smelling the coffee can have disastrous results. First and foremost is recognizing and accepting when you have reached rock bottom and have a serious gambling problem. That is when it is a time to seek help and get your life back on track.
For the rest of us, we aren’t exempt from having a laundry list of mistakes we make while out on the playing field. How many times has a player not stuck to the budget and said to themselves “just one more deposit” or “just one more $100 bill” in the slot machine! Come on, don’t deny it or your nose may grow like Pinocchio’s!
Tilting – this is a term commonly used in poker but I think it also applies to table games, video poker and slots. Realistically it is like biting your nose off to spite your face. You are on a bad roll and can’t beat the dealer or on a slot machine that is a real dud yet you won’t leave for nothing, determined to break the cycle. How often did that work out for you to stick around? Not too well huh, didn’t think so (takes one to know one).
Now for the big kahuna that one thing that really takes the cake of gambling blunders – greed! When a substantial winning bankroll is not quite enough, what do you do? You end up pushing the envelope to the brink resulting in depleting your balance to zero. That’s when you suddenly snap out of your delusion and say “oh no what have I done”! Wait a minute and hold your horses did I hear some of you just say you have never committed an act of gambling greed? If so you are not a gambler because it is par for the course folks and sorry to say, it happens to the best of us.
Break these horrendous habits and you will soon see a fatter bankroll and less of a depleted one.
Time to gaze into the crystal ball to see what is in store for the gambling community in the year 2017.
The biggest headline to hit the newsstand was Donald Trump is going to be the next US president and the world is fixed on what effect it will have. Could that mean a Trump slot machine is in the works. Another branded slot that may be put into production is the legend recently passed and left their mark on the world - George Michael.
Mobile casinos have gained recognition in the past few years and the number of available games has impressively increased. We are a spoiled lot and the added extra convenience of playing on your mobile phone is sweeping the gambling community. Expect to see a big increase and preference toward mobile casinos.
More and more casino operators are adding Bitcoin to deposit and withdraw funds. Players can anticipate a rise in the number of sites that will offer this option especially if countries like Russia and China jump on the band wagon.
With harsh competition watch for a shift in how some casinos market themselves. Incentives will play out in an ongoing adventure which is a compelling journey to new lands, treasures, and worlds.
In the land based world will Atlantic City rebound after the domino effect of casino closures? It will be exciting to see the Ten Resort and Casino (formerly Revel) open in the spring. Leaving the lucky number 7 casinos left and with less competition, it has a good chance of bouncing back.
What will LCB have in store for members in the new year? Topping 2016 will be tough to beat but fear not this team will march into the next 12 months loaded with goodies. Per usual there will be new surprises to look forward to. We are always thinking outside of the box and have YOU our members at the forefront of everything that is in development. What are some of these upcoming new developments that are in the works you ask? Well if I told you then it wouldn’t be a surprise now, would it!
LCB wants to wish all our members a very happy, healthy and prosperous new year. We hope we can assist and continue to educate players resulting in the smartest gamblers out there, after all, it is the cornerstone of who we are. Let’s see more progressive jackpot winners that are part of the LCB family and we will without a doubt beam with pride.
We raise our glass to our community that 2017 will be the best year yet!