Although the USA has taken a hard line on internet gambling, outlawing it completely in October 2006, most European governments have adopted the totally 토토사이트 opposite approach and are continuing to liberalise online gambling legislation; making it a lucrative market for online gambling operators.
Even though Britain has one-fifth of the population of the USA, it spends as much as Americans on gambling, according to figures issued by the Global Betting and Gaming Consultants (GBGC). And much of that UK spend is now taking place online. So, what attracts online gamblers and are there are any dangers involved?
The basis of America’s ban on online gambling stems from a report issued by the National Gambling Impact Study Commission in 1999. The major finding in that study highlighted the fact that ‘the presence of a gambling facility within 50 miles roughly doubles the prevalence of problem and pathological gamblers’. Obviously, with the rise of online gambling that ‘gambling facility’ is sited within the home. So – the argument goes – that gives rise to more gambling opportunities and therefore the possibility that more people will become compulsive gamblers. They are obsessed with gambling, and winning doesn’t minimize that compulsion; the more they win, the more they play. Worse still, the more they lose the more they play to try to recover their losses until the point where their habit becomes unaffordable, and they go under financially.
But, despite the dire warnings from the USA, the vast majority of people who participate online can control their gambling and play comfortably within their means. For most, online gambling is a form of entertainment from which they get a buzz and occasionally a win. The fact that games can be played in the comfort of the home obviously adds to the attraction. Sophisticated software can now replicate the casino experience; full-colour graphics and convincing sound putting the player in the heart of the action, even if in reality they are in front of their computer screen. And because of the rapid uptake in online gambling, revenues are increasing allowing a percentage of it to be returned to players as bigger jackpots and prizes, which in turn attracts even more players. Trying online gambling requires somewhat of a leap of faith. So before you choose an online casino in which to set up an account and deposit money, you want to check them out thoroughly and find out if their reputation and track record makes you comfortable enough to entrust them with your e-wallet or credit card number.
Fortunately for the beginning online gambler, you can find a lot of websites, portals, and discussion forums all about which sites are legitimate and which have had problems. You would be wise to read several of these before signing up. Learning from other people’s mistakes can be a lot cheaper than learning from your own when it comes to online gambling.
One thing you should find out for any casino online that you may want to sign up with is whether their payouts are independently audited. Casinos with independently audited payouts are highly preferable to those that are not, because at least you can have confidence that the payout percentages they advertise are real. You should also find out how well their customer service performs. Forums and bulletin boards are great places to find out about customer service problems. If someone has experienced poor customer service at a given casino, they’re sure to let everybody know about it online.
When you read through forums, reviews, and comments about web casinos, expect to see at least one or two thoroughly glowing reviews and at least one or two horrible reviews for most casinos. Forum posters sometimes have a personal axe to grind, and some posts are written by people employed by the casinos, so you know they’ll be very positive. You’re best off evaluating casinos based on the majority of the non-extreme reviews. Of course, if all the reviews of a casino are negative, you should stay away.
While you are still getting your feet wet in the world of online gambling, you can check out not only the many casino reviews, but also sites that offer free practice games that will give you an idea of the pace and feel of playing online. If you’re used to playing poker in person, you’ll find that the pace is different online, and the same is true of most casino games, including slots.
Gambling portals online offer reviews, tips, information on which software systems sites use, and helpful links to sites where you can read up on techniques, online gambling news, and what new games you can find online. Some of these sites even have reviews and articles about land casinos, which can be very informative if you’re planning a trip to Vegas or somewhere else you can gamble live.
Online gambling can be a lot of fun, and it can provide a bit of the thrill you get from going to a land-based casino from the convenience of your home. The best way to make sure you enjoy your online gambling experience to its full extent is to take the time up front to research web casinos, read reviews, and learn the road rules and best practices. Finding a good online gambling portal site is a terrific place to start.
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