Just a few years ago, if you wanted to gamble, you had to go to a gambling city like Las Vegas or Atlantic City. If this option isn’t available to you then you just have to use whatever ‘resource’ you can find locally – which tends to be a bit off limits if you can find one! Today gambling is an international pastime and casinos, card rooms and bingo halls can be found in every region and country of the world.
Given that such widespread gambling is a relatively new phenomenon, many gamblers question the reasons for internet gambling. Some feel that online gambling lacks the excitement, society and regulation of land-based casinos. While online gambling does have some limitations, it has a lot to offer .
Many online games offer players a higher average payout schedule and a wider range of betting limits. Players can also check to see which games pay the most, switch between different types of sports – horse racing, slots, poker, bingo, and learn how to play new games (without betting money) in the privacy of their homes, before breaking away from unsuspecting fellow players for money!
Online players often get better odds than they would find in ‘real’ casinos. A prime example of this is in roulette – the American roulette wheel has 38 numbered slots: 1 to 36, zero and double-zero, which gives a house edge of 5.26 percent. But internet sites also offer the European version of roulette, which has only 37 slots: 1 to 36 plus zero, which gives the punter a more favorable house edge of 2.7 percent. This is a similar story to slots, where online casinos offer higher average payouts than real casinos. You can also check each site’s monthly payout percentage for each game type, giving you a bigger profit.
There is a ‘free play’ option in almost every online game. This gives beginners and more experienced players the opportunity to set up or improve themselves without risking money that could be better spent when you really know what you are doing in the game.
All prizes from online casinos are money! Land-based casinos offer free meals etc, but online you are guaranteed prize money which includes sign-up bonuses, match bonuses, high roller bonuses, VIP player and club coupons, and there is always something on offer for new and returning players.
While poker, casino games and sports betting on events like the Grand National are the most common forms of online gambling, there are many other forms of betting – keno, horse racing, lotteries, chess, pools – you name it and you will be able to bet online. on line.
Internet gambling is very easy – you can gamble from home, during your lunch break, on a train journey…. anywhere with internet access. Not only that, there’s also a never-ending stream of tournament action. Some gamblers do not like the idea of online gambling because they are afraid of being alone without access to help. However, all the leading sites have hosts that provide excellent customer service, the most popular of which are live chat and/or email. In addition to hosting information, many sites have message boards or chat rooms, where you can make friends and receive invaluable advice and tips from other players.