Only 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 weren't available to you then you just had to use what ever 'resources' you can find locally - which tended to be somewhat illicit if you may find them! Nowadays gambling is an international pastime and casinos, card rooms, and bingo halls can be found in each and every county and country on the 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 also a wider array of betting limits. Players can also check to find out which games are paying out the most, switch between numerous 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 can 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 a double-zero, which gives the house edge 5.26 percent. However internet sites 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 may also check out each site's monthly payout percentages for each type of game, giving you an even greater advantage.

You will find 'play for free' options on just about any game online. These give beginners as well as more experienced players the chance to ready or better themselves without risking any money that will be better spent when you really determine 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 online games and sports betting on events like the Grand National will be the most frequent type of gambling online, there are plenty 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 incredibly convenient - you can gamble from home, during your lunch break, on a train journey.... anywhere which has internet access. Not only that, there is also a never ending stream of tournament action. Some gamblers do not like the perception of online gambling as they fear that they are going to be alone with no access to assistance. On the flip side, all reputable sites have hosts which provide exceptional customer care, the best of which is live chat and /or emails. And additionally 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.