Gambling has been with us since ancient times. Gambling online is a relatively new phenomenon and one that seems to be growing in popularity on a daily basis. Take a look-at these facts:
The very first online gambling site was launched in August 1995. It’s currently estimated that you’ll find around 2,000 Internet gambling Sites offering various wagering options, including sports betting, casino games, lotteries and bingo.
Internet gambling revenue in 2005 was estimated at $11.9 billion and is projected to double by 2010, based on Christiansen Capital Advisors (CCA).
So what is it about the online casino phenomenon which has so enticed gamblers? Perhaps it’s the virtue of it simply being online. You’ll find so many attractions to not having to attend a casino to gamble. The most prominent of these is the intimidation. Online gambling opens up a whole host of games to players who previously never had the courage or interest in observing tables in a land based casino.
Then it’s the choice of games. The number of games and their varieties online are astounding. Poker, blackjack, roulette or sports gambling, online casinos offer them all. Lets take a look at several of them:
Online poker has been partly answerable for a dramatic increase in the range of poker players worldwide. For the year of 2005, revenues from online poker were estimated at US$200 million each month.
Blackjack, better known as twenty-one or Pontoon, is one of the most common casino card games worldwide. Much of blackjack’s popularity is due to the blend of chance with aspects of skill, and also the publicity that surrounds card counting The slot machine typically pays off determined by patterns of symbols visible on the front of the machine when it stops. Modern computer technology has resulted in lots of variations on the slot machine concept.
The freedom of time and expense are added attractions. The internet casinos are relatively cost-effective to operate in terms of staff being paid, so they are able to offer players free games. Entering a blackjack room in an online casino can be very different to approaching a blackjack table in a land based casino. The speed and intimidation can be high when playing in a ritzy casino. Crucial decisions are made quickly and on the spot. At home, the player is able to slow down and play only once they are ready.
Sadly, with such a growth in popularity has come many online gambling hoaxes. Illegitimate and cheating web sites are present on the net and also can be deceiving. The most critical things to remember when gambling online are the three aspects of consideration, prize and chance. All three should be present.
The problem with online gambling is the fact that it really is far harder to control. The sector which has to protect itself from the dangers of compulsive gamblers. In the virtual world, this website is difficult to enforce. A customer is able to sit within their own family room, in whatever state they choose to be in and at what ever age and gamble around they desire.