Just 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 were not available to you in which case you just had to use what ever 'resources' you can find locally - which tended to be somewhat illicit if you could find them! These days gambling is definitely an international pastime and casinos, card rooms, and bingo halls may be found in each and every county and country on this planet.

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 variety of betting limits. Players also can check to see which games are paying out the most, switch between a number of different kinds 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 improve odds than they will 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 also 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 far 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 sort of game, giving you an even greater advantage.

There are 'play for free' options on just about every game online. These give beginners and even more experienced players the chance to ready or better themselves without risking any money that can be better spent when you really determine 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 that include sign up bonuses, match bonuses, high roller bonuses, player coupons and VIP clubs, and there's 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 many 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 very convenient - you can gamble from home, during your lunch break, lottery website on a train journey.... anywhere which has internet access. And also, there is also a never ending stream of tournament action. Some gamblers don't like the concept of online gambling because they fear that they're going to be alone with no access to assistance. Conversely, all reputable sites have hosts which provide exceptional customer care, the best of which is live chat and /or emails. And also the hosts for information, many sites have boards or chat rooms, where you will make friends and receive invaluable advice and tips from other players.