We all have that person in our lives who is impossible to shop for, that friend or relative whose birthday is an annual exercise in coming up with strange and unusual gifts that they don’t already have and will genuinely enjoy. It’s not as if they’re mean about it (otherwise we wouldn’t try so damn hard), it’s just that there are some people for whom a DVD box-set or a bath bomb is clearly not that exciting.

This year, maybe more than any other year is a time when we really need to step up our birthday present ideas game. Hopefully, we will be reunited with our distant friends and loved ones soon enough and we will all be able to go on adventures together and make new memories, but in the meantime, the perfect gift is a great way to remind someone how much they mean to you and to show them that you do know what they enjoy, no matter what those past gift failures may suggest!

Get them ready for their dream holiday with a language course

We all had our list of places we wanted to go on holiday in 2020, and we all had to take a deep breath and put that list in a drawer while we waited for travel to be safe again. Well, we’re still waiting, but it is time for us to start thinking about where our dream vacation destinations are, and what we’re going to do while we’re there. Now, sadly we are not all in the kind of financial situation where we can simply gift someone a plane ticket to the other side of the world, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t help that special someone on their way to having the best holiday abroad of their lives.

So, if that person who is always so difficult to buy for has spent the pandemic talking about where they’re going to go when it’s all over, why not gift them a language course for that country? Get them off the free apps and onto an intensive training programme that will help them to truly immerse themselves in the culture on their arrival.

Get their imagination in gear with a puzzle gift

Let’s face it, there is only so much imagination you can show when you’re buying someone the complete box-set of the TV series they love or a copy of that book that was at the top of all the best of year lists last year. If you are buying a gift for someone who loves gripping storytelling, then you should head online to learn about puzzles for adults. No, we’re not talking about giant jigsaws (although there’s certainly nothing wrong with enjoying a giant jigsaw), we’re talking about an intricately crafted mystery that can be a brilliant personalised gift for him or her.

If you have tried to watch a crime show with this person while they have predicted every twist and turn (rightly or wrongly), Mysterious Mail has a brilliant three-part mail order mystery box that throws them into the middle of a strange and unsettling crime puzzle. Each installment draws the recipient deeper into the drama, and what’s more, you can choose when you reveal that you were the one who sent it. Head to mysteriousmail.com to find out more about their mysteries for adults and children.

Get them outside by bringing new life to their green space

If your friend is lucky enough to have their own garden, then the chances are that they spent every second of the summer out in it, and have spent every second since pining for it. With spring just around the corner, a gift that spruces up that green space is a brilliant idea.

Think about what plants could spark off a new splash of colour in an otherwise drab space. If they fancy themselves a bit of a wizard in the kitchen, why not treat them to some fruit or vegetable plants to get them ahead of the game for those “I made this with tomatoes I grew myself” Instagram posts? Or, if they have been missing getting into the great wild outdoors to be at one with nature, you can treat them to a birdbath or feeder to help them attract some new company in their garden this year. If you’re really feeling like spoiling them, you could even think about helping them to convert their shed into a little outdoor hideaway. We have all grown to appreciate just how important the garden is this year, and helping them bring new life to theirs will make your first visit to their home since lockdown all the sweeter.

Bring the restaurant to them with a luxury gourmet dinner

We have all hit the takeaways pretty hard over the last twelve months and there is certainly no shame in ordering some fish and chips in for your birthday. However, if you know that your special someone has been missing those nights on the town during lockdown, then it’s time to look beyond the usual delivery apps. Many of the UK’s finest restaurants have created beautiful, luxurious bespoke takeaway meal options that allow you to enjoy the kind of fine dining that you spring for on those really special occasions. It may be some time yet before we can all gather around a table in a bar or restaurant to enjoy some amazing food and a bottle of wine from the bottom of the list, but in the meantime, check and see if your favourite local eatery is able to deliver.

And speaking of wine, you can help to support your local wine merchant by ordering a selection from their online store instead of springing for a couple of bottles of spur of the moment prosecco on your way to the checkout at your nearest supermarket. Of course, you will need to check whether the government guidelines allow for click and collect or if you are going to need to wait for delivery, but there is nothing like receiving a bottle of your favourite bubbly from a loved one. And yes, you should get one for yourself too so you can share a glass over Zoom!

Despite iGaming restrictions in Norway, the industry has continued to grow in popularity over the decades. One might ask the question, ‘What is iGaming?’. The industry consists predominantly of online sports betting and casino gaming amongst others. Gone are the days of frequenting land-based casinos to play bingo or blackjack.

Gambling has been forced into the home, and it’s comfortable there. You’re either reading this article because you’ve been marched out of the casinos due to the Covid-19 lockdowns or a regular gambler looking for news on how to have a better experience online.

This article aims to highlight the future of the iGaming industry in Norway in terms of laws, regulations and restrictions. We’ll also look at new trends and service providers to look out for in 2021, like Helt nytt casino. There’s much to be excited about.

IGaming trends to look out for in 2021

The general online gambling experience has improved for players as competition has increased. We’ve spoken to expert Chris Haagensen about what the future holds for the industry. Here’s a list of four things to expect in 2021:

1. More casino options and value for money

More online casinos have emerged in 2021, which has presented numerous options in terms of service providers. Increased competition between gambling operators means increased value for money for you.

It also means better welcome bonuses and new experiences when you try a different casino. The Helt nytt casino is an example of such a service provider currently offering a top-notch service to online gamblers. This casino has a user-friendly website and a multitude of bonuses. You’ll also find the sign-up process straightforward.

2. Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality

New gaming technology for 2021 includes virtual reality and augmented reality. These technology advancements provide for better viewing and gaming quality, which is a much-needed upgrade for consumers. Virtual reality headsets make you feel as though you’re somewhere else as soon as you put them on. It’s just like being in the casino! Augmented reality apps and headsets add layers to the gameplay and different dimensions to your reality.

3. Cryptocurrencies

Alongside credit cards and money transfers, cryptocurrencies have become acceptable on some gambling platforms. This is fantastic news for players, as some of the existing banking restrictions in Norway stop residents from using their accounts for online gambling.

An increase in gambling operators allowing crypto deposits could open up a more comprehensive selection of products and services for Norwegian players without being blocked by the banks.

Check your preferred gambling website’s payment methods to see if this is a reality already. If you have cryptocurrency at your disposal, you might be in luck.

4. Play on your mobile device

You can have an excellent time gambling on your mobile phone and the experience keeps getting better with technology. Most service providers have this option available to members, and the level of quality is improving all the time. These operators might also have apps that make your experience more efficient and rewarding, so you can now play seamlessly on the go.

Facts You Should Know About Norway’s Gambling Laws and Regulations

Gambling in Norway is controlled through the State, although there are no regulations blocking players gambling online. Some claim that the current restrictions are illegal according to European Union policies, but Norway has challenged this. Although private iGaming operators are permitted to partake in the industry, they do face the following limitations:

1. Norsk Tipping AS and Foundation Norsk Risktoto have the majority rights to provide gambling services in Norway.
2. A certain percentage of profits must be donated to charitable and noble causes.

The government has set these to ensure that Norwegian people’s social and financial well-being is preserved. This is because gambling, in general, has been proven to present some psycho-social challenges over the decades globally.

The verdict

The good news is that despite the restrictions mentioned above, you can continue to choose the service providers that you desire and enjoy a spectacular experience from the comfort of your home. Future gaming technology is projected to improve every year, and the onus is on the consumer to enjoy gambling responsibly.

Whether gambling will ever return to physical buildings again is yet to be determined, but we’re happy to at least have it indoors in the comfort of our homes. We think it’s safe to raise a glass to a more convenient, comfortable and high-quality iGaming experience in 2021.

Slot machines have enjoyed a rich and fascinating history with the very first device tracing its roots back for more than a hundred years. Known as the Liberty Bell, the machine saw life in the 1890s and few could have predicted just how popular its descendants would become.

In the 20th century, slot machines appeared in bars, clubs and licensed land-based casinos all over the world. They were, and still are, an important part of those establishments and the slots remain the first choice for many players.

In the new, digital age, online slots are taking over but how have they built on that legacy while staying true to the original concept?

Popular playgrounds

Those that didn’t focus on land-based casinos would have played their slot machines in pubs and bars. That original slot, the Liberty Bell, quickly became referred to as a bandit and this title caught on. In the 1960s and 1970s, slots were commonly called ‘one-armed bandits’ as players had to pull a lever in order to spin the reels.

An alternate title related to the many fruit symbols that would play out on the reels. Cherries, lemons, grapes, melons and strawberries were among the many popular images used and, so, the devices were often referred to as fruit machines.

Random results were returned but many players felt that they knew how to read slot machines. Irrespective of whether the aim is for a big jackpot prize or to simply enjoy an entertaining distraction, the slots offered an interesting addition to a night out at the pub.

A step up

Serious players would look to take their interest a stage further by hitting one of the popular casino resorts. Many countries have licensed casinos so it could just be a case of jumping on a train and enjoying a night out in London and a few spins of the reels.

Meanwhile, a whole tourist industry was being built around casino play. Las Vegas was undoubtedly at the heart of this phenomenon, but other popular locations included Nassau and Macau.

In the physical world, players can enjoy many casino games, but the slot machines really stand out here. Rows upon rows of players enjoying noisy slot play with brightly lit screens is an incredible sight and the slots will always have their place in these establishments.

Online slots cannot compete with those sights and that type of atmosphere but there are many other advantages of playing digital games.

Online options

Original online slots could be very basic and, while they enjoyed a following, the functionality could be elementary at times. Three-reel slots with one central pay line were the norm and there were no complex bonus features to negotiate.

That simplicity did have its advantages: Like all online casino games, those early slots provided convenience with players able to enjoy a few spins without leaving the comfort of their own homes.

In time, with the development of new software, the online slot industry has moved on considerably. With a blank canvas to work with, games producers can now provide slots covering a huge range of themes including cartoons, fantasy, ancient history, the wild west and many more.

The majority of slots still operate on the same concept of matching symbols along a pay line, but new technology has allowed for a whole host of new innovations. Bonus rounds such as free spins, wheels of fortune and pick rounds are now in existence and that complexity is another aspect that has helped make online slots stand out.

Keeping it reel

Online slot games can, to an extent, mirror the experience of playing in a live casino. A number of titles like to offer a nostalgic look back to a golden age when fruit machines ruled the scene. With that aim in mind, many developers still employ classic fruit symbols including those cherries, lemons and oranges.

Bright colours and stunning graphics also help to replicate the enjoyment that can be had from a slot game out in the real world. Many physical slots have now shed those levers even though the ‘bandit’ term has remained. Now, buttons are pressed, and this action is virtually identical in land based casinos and those situated online.

The best of both

In any aspect of an online casino or a digital sports betting company, the aims are similar. The initial task is to keep things simple by offering the same games that can be found in land-based casinos around the world. That’s why most online operators also provide poker, blackjack, baccarat and roulette among the slots.

From that base, those operators now have to add value and draw potential players away from those physical establishments. One obvious advantage is that of convenience with customers able to enjoy all of those games, and more, without ever having to leave the house.

But the biggest advantage held by online casinos is that of choice: With no restrictions in terms of floor space, an online operator is free to work with as many games developers as they like and that’s why most digital casinos have many hundreds of slot titles available on their website.

Online slots hold that clear advantage but they’ve had to stay true to the theme and pay their respects to those early machines from a bygone era.