The Metro newspaper, a free daily newspaper that circulates widely throughout the UK, has launched an online casino. The casino is called ME casino and it’s a little different than your average online casino.

ME Casino has a decent selection of online slots, blackjack games, roulette, online poker, and scratch cards, as well as untraditional casino games like Bejeweled and Monopoly. In a unique way, the casino combines online gaming with the news. The toolbar at the top of the screen has sections for bingo, poker, an arcade and other online gambling games, but it also has sections for news, sports, music, crosswords and more.

The Metro’s online casino is powered by the GTech G2 software and is licensed in Gibraltar. While betting your money on your favorite games, all the headlines and stories you would usually find in the periodical are just a click away.

As the newspaper industry continues to collapse, periodicals are looking for innovative ways to raise money, since advertising and subscriptions are no longer paying the bills. I think this is a good idea. Maybe the New York Times should open up an online casino. Since they’re every bit the trashy tabloid that the Metro is (only without the nude spreads), it only makes sense. Maybe they can make an online slot where when you win, Paul Krugman is dunked in a tank or hit in the face with a pie. I know I would play that game. As long as they keep Maureen Dowd away from the strip poker table, we’ll all be fine. The only problem with the Times opening an online casino, though, is that it would be in conflict with their anti-capitalist principles.

Like the best online casinos, ME Casino offers welcome bonuses for new players, which in this case is a 100% match bonus on your first deposit. They also offer loyalty points and other things you would expect from any online casino.

I have not yet played any games at ME Casino, but if their games are as well-made as their news articles…well, let’s hope they’re actually better.