Microsoft Corp. has announced that the new “Microsoft® Casino” for PC is now available in stores.
The new product aims to recreate the excitement of three premier Las Vegas resorts, The Mirage®, Bellagio® and Treasure Island at The Mirage® on the player’s PC. Realistic graphics and video from the resorts, along with authentic gaming tables, cards, dice and music, add to the Las Vegas ambience.
“Where else can you get the thrill of being on the Strip, without risking a dime?” said Ed Fries, vice president of games publishing at Microsoft. “Microsoft is thrilled to work with these top casinos in offering the only real casino experience for the PC.”
Microsoft Casino includes 10 favorite casino games: Blackjack, Pai Gow Poker, Caribbean Stud® Poker, Baccarat, Craps, Roulette, The Big 6 Wheel, Video Keno, Video Poker and Slots.
Features such as the Casino Challenge give high rollers the chance to win their way from Treasure Island at The Mirage to The Mirage and Bellagio without having to walk the Strip. Players also can win virtual comps and prizes that include a night’s stay in a palatial suite or tickets to Las Vegas’ glamorous stage shows. Microsoft Casino also allows players to set up their own tournaments where they can challenge computer players.
Residents had two chances Monday to tell the Las Vegas City Council what they thought about the use of the city’s seal in a proposed Internet casino project.
And although concerns were raised about security and the city’s potential liability, few residents expressed outright opposition to the idea.
With Mayor Oscar Goodman sweetening public opinion by floating the idea of a property tax rebate with proceeds from the deal, the only real resistance to the plan is coming from the gambling industry.
Nevada Resort Association Chairman Bill Bible said he thinks the council needs to think very carefully before entering into an agreement with VegasOne.com, a private venture backed by former Togel gaming executives and gambling experts.
“I have a difficult time understanding why a city in the state of Nevada would lend itself to an activity, which is not legal,” Bible said.
Gov. Kenny Guinn, U.S. Sen. Richard Bryan, D-Nev., and current casino executives such as Mark Dodson of Park Place Entertainment and Danny Wade of MGM MIRAGE also oppose the plan.
Despite those concerns, the council will ask VegasOne.com on Wednesday whether the company will agree to a three-month test run of its Internet project without real bets being accepted.
Jim Jimmerson, VegasOne.com’s attorney, said he would propose the idea to the company’s board of directors and have an answer for the council Wednesday.
The proposed casino would be based in Australia and target Internet gamblers outside of the United States.
During an online chat discussion Monday, Councilwoman Lynette Boggs McDonald said she wasn’t convinced that the site could restrict users. As an example, she cited how Nevada Gaming Control investigators recently placed an illegal wager in Australia by routing through a server in Canada.
“I think we’re in over our heads,” Boggs McDonald said in her office as about a dozen chat-room participants typed questions for her and Councilman Michael Mack. “I don’t know anything about this. I don’t think we have the in-house capabilities, even in our city attorney’s office, to handle this.
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