Only a few years ago, if you wanted to gamble you had to head to a gambling town like Las Vegas or Atlantic City. If these options weren't available to you then you just had to use whatever 'resources' you could find locally - which tended to be somewhat illicit if you could find them! Nowadays gambling is an international pastime and casinos, card rooms, and bingo halls can be found in every county and country in the world.
Given that such widespread gambling is a relatively new phenomenon, many gamblers question the reasoning for internet gambling. Some feel that online gambling lacks the excitement, sociability and regulation of land-based casinos. While online gambling does have some limitations, it does have an awful lot to offer.
Many online games offer players higher average payout schedules and a wider range of betting limits. Players can also check to see which games are paying out the most, switch between many different types of sports - horse racing, slots, poker, bingo, and learn how to play new games (without money bets) in the privacy of their home, before unleashing themselves on 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, a zero and a double-zero, which gives the house edge 5.26 percent. However internet sites also offer the European version of roulette, which has only 37 slots: 1 to 36 plus a zero, which gives a more favourable-to-the-punter house edge of 2.7 percent. It is a similar story with slots, in that online casinos offer higher average payouts than real casinos. You can also check out each site's monthly payout percentages for each type of game, giving you an even greater advantage.
There are 'play for free' options on nearly every game online. These give beginners and more experienced players the opportunity to ready or better themselves without risking any money that can be better spent when you really know what you're doing in the game.
All prizes from online casinos are money! Land-based casinos offer free meals etc, but online you are guaranteed money prizes which include sign up bonuses, match bonuses, high roller bonuses, player coupons and VIP clubs, 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 form of gambling online, there are lots of other forms of betting - keno, horse racing, lotteries, chess, pool - you name it and you will be able to bet on it online.
Internet gambling is extremely convenient - you can gamble from home, during your lunch break, on a train journey.... anywhere that has internet access. Not only that, there is also a never ending stream of tournament action. Some gamblers don't like the idea of online gambling as they fear that they will be alone with no access to assistance. However, all reputable sites have hosts which provide exceptional customer care, the most popular of which is live chat and /or emails. As well as the hosts for information, many sites have message boards or chat rooms, where you can make friends and receive invaluable advice and tips from other players.