Only some 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 in which case you just had to use whatever 'resources' you might find locally - which tended to be somewhat illicit if you could find them! These days gambling is an international pastime and trusted lottery dealer casinos, card rooms, and bingo halls may be found in every county and country on the globe.

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 array of betting limits. Players may also check to view which games are paying out the most, switch between numerous types of sports - horse racing, slots, poker, bingo, and learn to play new games (without money bets) within 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 as well as a double-zero, which gives the home 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 really is a similar story with slots, in that online casinos offer higher average payouts than real casinos. You may also check out each site's monthly payout percentages for each sort of game, giving you an even greater advantage.

There are actually 'play for free' options on just about any game online. These give beginners and more experienced players the option to ready or better themselves without risking any money that will be better spent whenever you really know what you're doing within the game.

All prizes from online casinos are money! Land-based casinos offer free meals etc, but online you are guaranteed money prizes that include sign up bonuses, match bonuses, high roller bonuses, player coupons and VIP clubs, and often there is something on offer for new and returning players.

While poker, casino games and sports betting on events like the Grand National will be the most usual type of gambling online, there are many of other kinds of betting - keno, horse racing, lotteries, chess, pool - you name it and also you will be able to bet on it online.

Internet gambling is very convenient - you can gamble from home, during your lunch break, on a train journey.... anywhere that has internet access. Aside from that, there's also a never ending stream of tournament action. Some gamblers don't like the idea of online gambling because they fear that they will be alone with no access to assistance. Alternatively, all reputable sites have hosts which provide exceptional customer care, the best of which is live chat and /or emails. And the hosts for information, many sites have discussion boards or chat rooms, the place you can make friends and receive invaluable advice and tips from other players.