Daily Archives: January 21, 2021

As the casino industry continues to grow, it seems as if the traditionally iconic games are no longer the same. For instance, old-fashioned slot machines now live alongside online slots due to the emergence of remote gambling. In fact, pretty much every activity is available online if you have an internet connection.

On the surface, roulette continues to appear the same. There are cultural differences, of course US casinos use 0 and double 0, whereas British establishments dont yet the foundation of the game is still intact. However, if you delve deeper, youll notice that everything isnt as it seems. Even though it is hard to tell, the reality is that roulette has changed quite a bit.

Source: Pixabay

Roulette remained the same for so many years because the foundation of the industry never altered. Then, the introduction of the internet and mobile gaming came to the forefront of society and the changes were very sudden. Previously, roulette was only playable on casino floors in specific environments.

Now, roulette is available via a mobile device, which involves a different approach. For instance, the fact that roulette is accessible anywhere in the world means thatonline roulettegames such as Spread-Bet Roulette and Quantum Roulette are must-haves as they appeal to a wider audience, improving the industrys bottom line.

To highlight this, roulette software is now a staple of digital organizations. While digital roulette is almost identical in many ways, the use of a random number generator, for instance, is a clear distinction that makes the game ideal for mobile users. It shouldnt be shocking to learn that the remote European and American versions of the game are the most popular options inside any online casino, as a result.

Source: Pixabay

One of the biggest changes is the introduction of new variants that never existed before. In the past, American and European roulette had a monopoly on the game since it was hard to add any more elements. After all, space restrictions meant that there wasnt much room to get creative.

The internet has changed this as virtual platforms are not limited by land space. As a result, there has been an emergence of multi-wheel roulette, a version that lets players pick numbers on up to six different wheels at a time. And, this is only one area where there has been a marked evolution due to the impact of the internet.

Another example is the push towards roulette games that simulate the in-person experience while eliminating the kinks. Examples include on-live, virtual andlive automaticroulette. The latter is a prime example of the evolution of roulette as the game is programmed to emulate real-life physics, such as the speed and deceleration of the ball.

Roulette isnt the same today as it was previously, and its down to the rise of the internet. As the demand for online games grew, the need to tweak classic casino games like roulette became inevitable. Therefore, standard features include new rules multi-wheel roulette and rule variations, such as making roulette more palatable for mobile devices.

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Is Roulette the Same Today as It Was in the Past? - Techstory

HOUSTON Im chilling!

Chris Pauls words to Rockets lead assistant John Lucas as he walked away from their pregame midcourt reunion said as much about Pauls current situation as it did about where the Rockets are right now as an organization.

The Phoenix Suns have enjoyed a bright start to the season playing an exciting brand of basketball, are currently 4th in the West at 8-5 and boast a formidable big 3 in Paul, Devin Booker, and Deandre Ayton in addition to the ever-improving Mikal Bridges. On the other hand, the Rockets are 4-9. Theyre 14th in the Western Conference. Theyre currently riding a three-game losing streak, have won just one game out of their last six, and look like they could five losses in a row by the end of the week. Since last Sunday, the team is 28th in offensive rating, 15th in defensive rating, and 26th in net rating.

Seeing Houston in this state having covered them during...

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Rockets expectations, rotational roulette, the injury bug - The Athletic

Image: Pascal Le Segretain (Getty Images)

Netflix has officially amassed 200 million subscribers, but the company isnt planning to rest on its laurels.

As it continues to compete with services like Disney+ and HBO Max, Netflix plans to continue to improve its user experience to keep viewers returning. It introduced its worth the wait, top 10, and new and popular sections last year to help with discovery, and Netflix says its preparing to roll out another new feature as well. In the first half of this year, the service will add a tool to allow Netflix to pick a title based on a users preferences rather than requiring them to browse for something to watch.

Our members can basically indicate to us that they want to skip browsing entirely, click one button, and well pick a title for them just to instantly play. And thats a great mechanism thats worked quite for members in that situation, COO and chief product officer Greg Peters said during an earnings Q&A. Asked whether the service was going to call the tool Im feeling lucky, Peters said it would be called something different at launch.

Weve reached out to Netflix for more information about how titles are suggested and will update this post when we hear back.

Netflix said in its fourth-quarter shareholders letter released Tuesday that it managed to secure 8.5 million more paid subscriptions to help the streaming giant cross the 200 million mark. All told, the company added a total of 37 million paid subscriptions during 2020, no doubt helped by the surge in TV viewing and streaming that resulted from lockdown orders and quarantine measures amid the coronavirus pandemic. For some context, Netflix says memberships were up 23 percent from the previous year in the fourth quarter.

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With the arrival of so many new streaming services competing for consumer money and viewing time, Netflix has more competition than ever before. But the company says its been expecting this new competitionincluding from heavyweights like Disney and WarnerMediafor many years. Key to its response is its head-spinning churn of original content and latest successes like the most recent season of The Crown, Barbarians, and Selena: The Series.

Its content strategy is also boosted with the release of its international films in outside markets. The company specifically cited an example of the French heist film Lupin, which enjoyed a no. 2 spot in its U.S. top 10 list. In 2020, the company also released a number of highly successful originals during the year that enjoyed critical claim and cultural impact. Tiger King, Queens Gambit, and Bridgerton were three such home runs, the company said.

Even with the pandemic significantly delaying production timelines and release dates, Netflix says its still on track to release at least one original film every week of 2021. Plus, the company said it has a staggering 500-plus titles either in post-production or ready to hit its service.

Most surprising, though, was Netflixs claim that it is very close to being cash-flow positive and no longer needs to raise external financing. Additionally, the company plans on repaying the bond at maturity out of cash on hand, as we are currently well above our minimum cash needs. More information on this front will likely be shared during its investors call later today.

All in all, its been an incredible year for Netflix. And it seems that in spite of the number of competitors whod like to swipe its crown, Netflix remains king in the streaming spacefor now, anyway.

This post has been updated to add additional information from Netflixs earnings call.

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Netflix Is Finally Adding a Streaming Roulette Feature as It Clinches 200 Million Subscriptions - Gizmodo

A report into the construction industry following Miriam Paces death has warned that the sector, and in particular excavation works, was playing Russian roulette with peoples lives.

Prime Minister Robert Abela, who had set up the expert committee to author the report, tabled the document during a parliamentary sitting discussing a wide-ranging bill to hopefully bring the construction industry in line.

The committee, Judge Lawrence Quintano, geotechnical engineer Adrian Mifsud, architect Mario Cassar and lawyer Mark Simiana, were clear that the sector is ultimately plagued by deep-rooted problems and recommended a slew of changes.. Some will become law.

A key proposal is creating the Building and Construction Authority, which will regulate and enforce the whole sector. Meanwhile, it aims to provide residents with the power to demand an independent architects report into a neighbouring project at the developers expense.

However, the report shed light on some growing issues in the sector that also need to be addressed.

Most notably, they warned that the construction industrys pervasive use of cutting rock flush with a chainsaw was a very dangerous activity that few dared to question.

The report says that such cuts are done under the pretext that these are necessary to isolate the neighbouring building from excessive vibration. However, it is done when it is simply impossible to identify the degree of fissuring in the rock, implying that this activity can significantly weaken the rock even before the actual excavation has started.

The state of safety of the neighbouring structures is therefore left to chance because it is very difficult to predict the nature of the fissures before these are finally exposed. This is nothing short of playing Russian roulette with the lives of third parties, the report said.

Excavations were a clear problem with untrained, unlicensed or unregulated individuals leading the practice. The committee was clear that it should be on the onus of both the developer and their architect to prove that excavation or a proposed construction is safe at all stages of its execution.

The committee considers of concern, those instances where the conduct of the excavation process is left to the whims of the excavation contractor, under the guise of temporary work. This happens when excavation contractors are not registered in any way, and when their level of competence is not checked or regulated by anybody, the committee said.

Modern construction projects are much too complex to expect responsibility to be borne by a single person when there are so many different roles, and when regulation leaves much to be desired, leading to ambiguous situations of unclear or split responsibilities.

Still, they noted that while more training is needed to improve the situation, architects should still be responsible for identifying dangerous geotechnical issues and solving them.

This cannot be left to chance, the report said.

The report said excavation should also be limited to certain hours of the day to safeguard residents health.

Enforcement, unsurprisingly, was identified as a key issue by the community.

The report noted that enforcement was weak with the main players quickly disregarding measures once they realised they were never checked upon.

The committee was insistent that checks and balances were crucial to the process, and it is the states duty to ensure that they were enforced. A well-equipped, competent and proper-functioning Building and Construction Agency that acts as the main enforcing arm would be vital in achieving it.

Crucially, the committee called for the introduction of a building permit, which would be entirely autonomous from the planning permit. A building permit will cover how the applicant will carry out a development, whether thats a house, apartment, or entire block.

The committee found that the Site Technical Officers role, which was introduced after a series of collapses in 2019, falls short of providing the required technical authority and participation which is required in certain building projects.

This shortcoming is in part because the admissibility criteria for a person to be allowed to act as STO do not raise the bar sufficiently, and in part also because the current functions of the STO are not clearly defined, and in some instances overlap with those of the other parties involved in the excavation and/or building project.

Ultimately, the committee believed that the STOs role would be better off re-dimensioned to become a BCA officer.

In an address in Parliament, Prime Minister Robert Abela said that he hoped that the proposed regulations served as a warning to the construction industry that no one is above the law. Both the Malta Developers Association and Chamber of Architects have backed the proposals.

Lets hope new laws impose sustained change.

What do you think of the proposals? Comment below

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Maltas Construction Sector Is Playing Russian Roulette With Peoples Lives, Miriam Pace Report Warns - Lovin Malta

The legend is that local folks were knocked out by Rodgers talent and took up a collection to send him to perform on TVs Arthur Godfrey talent show, Michele said, where he immediately got signed to Roulette Records.

Rodgers first big hit, the boppy singalong Honeycomb, came in the summer of 1957, swiftly followed by Kisses Sweeter Than Wine, Oh-Oh, Im Falling In Love Again, Secretly and Are You Really Mine? He made the rounds of TV variety shows with these hits in the late 1950s, and he scored several more before his career started to slow down.

Another series of successes came in the late 1960s with more mature material, like Its Over and Child of Clay, but those were Rodgers final hit songs.

His life took a hard and violent turn after that. In 1967 Rodgers suffered serious head injuries in a mysterious roadway incident in Los Angeles that he couldnt remember, other than being pulled over by a car with flashing lights. Lawsuits and countersuits alleged police brutality and slander, but all were dropped when the city of Los Angeles settled the matter for $200,000. While the incident remains ambiguous, some industry insiders have claimed Rodgers was attacked by hired thugs who were off-duty police officers for demanding the royalties he was owed by Roulette Records. Roulette was notoriously tied to the New York mafia.

Rodgers recovered from those head injuries, according to Michele, but had to endure three brain surgeries. His clear, sweet singing voice was eventually blocked by a vocal-cord problem called spasmodic dysphonia. Thats when he got into songwriting and record production, said Michele, who benefited from her fathers expertise as she launched her own Nashville-based music career. He also developed heart and kidney problems as well as COVID-19 at the very end, Michele said.

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Camas native, singer Jimmie Rodgers dies at 87 - The Columbian

One could argue that there are no two hobbies as dissimilar as golf and gambling. When you go on a course, youre expecting a relaxed time with a friend or two, even if the game isnt going that well for you. At a casino parlor, youre probably going to have an emotional roller-coaster of an evening, filled with adrenaline.

However, even these two opposites can coexist in harmony. There are some establishments that give to each their own by offering both a golf course and a casino on the premises. And despite what myths about the US would have you believe, its not the only place in the world to host such clubs. As AussieCasinoHex reports, there are golf clubs that have a casino in Australia as well. Heres a list of the top 5 establishments like that.

Despite its generic-sounding name, this is not just a country club. This is a venue with the official name Country Club that can boast an 18-hole course, a small casino inside, a hotel, and a number of other retreats. Its one of the two Tasmanias casinos and a really good one at that.

Apart from the golf course designed by a British Open Champion, this venue also offers a tennis court, horseback riding facility, and a bike rental that allows visitors to roam free in the countryside. Add the fact that the Tasmanian Country Club hosts concerts, has a gambling lounge, and offers high cuisine, and you have a place fit for all walks of life.

Though not as close to home as Tasmania, this resort in the state of Indiana also has some amazing views to attract audiences. The town of French Lick is situated on the verge of a national forest, the golf course of the French Lick Resort is a short drive into that forest. After you soak in the beautiful scenery and finish the 18-hole course designed by Pete Dye, a renowned American golf course builder, you can get back to town and enjoy an evening of gambling.

The French Lick Casino is surprisingly big for a town that small. Its designed to look like a Vegas casino, and even though the number of slot machines and poker tables is a fair bit smaller than what youd expect to see on the Strip, its enough to satisfy the crowds coming into French Lick. In addition to this casino, the resort has two hotels and a spa complex.

This resort has been open for almost as much as the US exists, since 1778. Located in the aptly named little town of White Sulfur Springs, this venue attracted wealthy Southerners to take a break from the heat of the lowlands. This influenced the design of the grand hotel known as The Old White a foreigner may think its the White House itself.

There are four golf courses on the premises, including ones that opened as long ago as the 1830s and as recently as 2010. The casino is a fairly new addition to this traditional resort. It was opened in 2009 and boasts over 300 slot machines and 37 tables for roulette, blackjack, and other classic casino games.

However, golf and gambling are not the only pastimes available in this 200-year-old resort. Thanks to the proximity to a national park, there are multiple trails available, including bike and jeep trails. For visitors who are not that outdoorsy, there are plenty of spa options.

Despite being in the Deep South, this resort does not have an antebellum aesthetic of The Greenbrier. Its a relatively modern recreational complex that was opened in 1999. The main building of the resorts combines a hotel with over 1,7000 rooms with a casino floor. The latter has both smoke-free slot machine zones, roulette tables, and poker rooms. The casino often gives free gambling lessons so look out for those opportunities.

Beau Rivage golf course, Fallen Oak, which is a classic 18-hole par-72 course, was designed by Tom Fazio, a renowned American architect. Its fair to say this course is unique it features centuries-old oaks, streams crossing the fairway, and a tee box inside elevate terrain that will challenge you on the last hole.

As for other entertainment options, Beau Rivage is a center of nightlife in Biloxi. Youll find plenty of clubs and concert venues on the facilitys ground.

You may not be able to tell from the picture above, but this lush 18-hole course is situated between an auto repair shop and a 7/11 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Whats the catch? This luxurious golf course was built in the middle of the desert by MGM Resorts, a company that owns several casinos and hotels on the Las Vegas Strip. The course is available for all guests of MGM-owned casinos.

The course is designed by Tom Fazio and is constantly featured in the top 10 lists of golf courses. Its an expensive one, for sure, but to get away to the oasis in Nevada heat and to play the same course Tiger Woods played is worth it.

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Top 5 courses with a casino in Australia and the US - National Club Golfer