| Is online gambling really a safe activity? Sure, an online | | | | familiar with online casino player community. The |
| casino is often more convenient than land-based one | | | | community quickly labels an online casino that engages |
| but can one trust that the online environment is just as | | | | in fraudulent behaviour as a rogue casino. |
| safe? Aren’t most online activities more | | | | The best way to protect oneself is to regularly visit a |
| dangerous than face-to-face entertainment? | | | | casino gambling portal, such as Such portals provide |
| If you are like most adults, you probably have visited a | | | | player forums and lists of blacklisted casinos. They can |
| land-based casino. However, you may not have visited | | | | easily found with any major search engine but it is |
| an online one. The number one reason people do not | | | | important to remember, as with much of what |
| visit online casinos is “lack of trust”. | | | | one’s reads online, these portals constitute |
| E-commerce, in general, has a bad reputation – | | | | individual webmaster and player opinions rather than |
| much of it fuelled by sensational media hype. It is far | | | | official views from a regulating body. |
| more comfortable for the consumer to go to an | | | | One of the most common fraudulent behaviours found |
| old-fashioned brick and mortar store where they can | | | | online is the delay of withdrawals. This is usually done |
| feel and touch the products and talk to a real human | | | | in an attempt to have the player continue gambling in |
| being. But don’t be too quick to dismiss the | | | | hopes that they will lose some or all of their winnings. |
| Internet - it is a vast universe with many legitimate | | | | Ironically, cheating software is much less of an issue |
| businesses that are growing in number daily and that | | | | than payout problems. A few of the software |
| provide excellent customer service and products. | | | | programs known to cheat are Casino Bar and Elka |
| Nestled amongst these businesses reside a few | | | | System/Oyster Gaming. |
| quality online casinos. | | | | Much of the rumours about cheating software |
| Although Internet casinos are currently illegal in the | | | | originate from players thinking they have found |
| United States there are a number of reputable sites | | | | patterns in software. However, the common |
| where online gambling is legal. Just as the state of | | | | consensus in the online casino industry is that most of |
| Nevada made a choice to legalize gambling, many | | | | the major casino software brands offer odds and |
| countries around the world have legalized the business | | | | paybacks that are the same as their land-based |
| of online casinos. Examples include: | | | | casino counterparts. |
| * Antigua | | | | Online casinos can be divided into three categories: |
| * Australia | | | | web-based, download-based and live casinos. Some |
| * Costa Rica | | | | casinos offer multiple categories. |
| * Gibraltar | | | | Web-based casinos are casinos that reside entirely on |
| * Kanawhake, Canada | | | | an online server. Players are not forced to download |
| * Netherlands Antilles | | | | any files to their local computer. Most of these games |
| * Norfolk Island | | | | are played using a browser plug-in such as Flash or |
| * UK and Isle of Man | | | | Shockwave. These games are a bit dated but still |
| In these areas of the world not only do online casinos | | | | provide excellent entertainment. Slotland is an excellent |
| exist but also often large corporations own these | | | | example of this type of casino. |
| casinos. These are corporations, which like any other | | | | Download-based casinos require the player to |
| business, are governed by the policies of the stock | | | | download some files to their local machine. This is by |
| exchange where their stock is currently traded. Better | | | | far the most popular form of online casinos today. The |
| business policies are enforced. [ is one example of a | | | | download allows for the best graphics and most |
| legitimate online casino business. Registered in England | | | | diverse form of games. This is because the graphics |
| they offer betting options that range from sporting | | | | and sound programs are located within the software |
| events to poker and bingo. The shareholders in William | | | | client, rather than having to be loaded from the Internet. |
| Hill monitor their company just as stringently as the | | | | It is prudent to note, that as with all downloads, there is |
| shareholders in any of the large Las Vegas | | | | a small chance of malware existing. River Belle Casino |
| establishments. | | | | and InterCasino are both good examples of this type |
| Wagering in an e-commerce casino is much different | | | | of casino. |
| than walking into your local betting hall with a handful of | | | | Live-based casinos allow the user to interact at the |
| cash in your hand. Credit cards and e-wallets are | | | | tables with other users around the world. Many of |
| common denominators amongst many online casinos. | | | | these involve some sort of download, but they also |
| And they bring their own element of risk for the | | | | offer a peer-to-peer element that the other types of |
| gambler. Internet credit card fraud has been rampant | | | | online casinos do not. Online players can see, hear, and |
| since the birth of e-commerce. While many shoppers | | | | interact with live dealers at tables in casino studios |
| are nervous to use their cards for any online purchase | | | | worldwide. |
| the reality is that consumers have little to worry about. | | | | The last lesson to be learned is the bonus system. |
| In fact, most of the online payment companies boast | | | | Most, if not all, online casinos offer new players a |
| more robust security measures than many banks. This | | | | healthy sign-up bonus to make their first deposit. |
| combined with the fact that credit card companies | | | | Normally the bonus is offered in the form of a |
| themselves have an obligation to the cardholder to not | | | | percentage of funds deposited, although many casinos |
| allow fraudulent charges makes online commerce very | | | | offer a bonus on how much is wagered and over a |
| secure. Articles on how consumers can protect | | | | certain length of time. The bonus always comes with a |
| themselves both online and in-person abound and are | | | | minimal wagering amount before withdrawal. As each |
| recommended reading for anyone who is savvy with | | | | Casino offers such a variety of bonuses, it is usually |
| their purchases in this day and age. | | | | prudent to refer to a casino gambling portal for help. |
| However, there is an element of risk to both in-person | | | | These portals make it their business to provide |
| and online gamblers today. Amongst the thousands of | | | | gamblers with the most up-to-date information of |
| online Casinos, there are a number of fraudulent | | | | bonus offers. is an excellent example of a gambling |
| behaviours documented. Two of the most commonly | | | | portal. |
| reported behaviours are refusal to pay withdrawals | | | | Equipped with the right information and a good dose of |
| and cheating software. Again the key is for the | | | | due diligence the online gambler has little to fear from |
| consumer to make him or herself aware of those | | | | online casinos. Remember to play within your means |
| online businesses that engage in unsavoury behaviour. | | | | and good luck. |
| The best way to protect oneself is by becoming | | | | |