Poker Bonuses

Building up your bankroll with the help of bonuses is every poker player’s dream. The online poker industry tries to keep the poker player happy by offering a bonus, just like the casinos do with their casino bonus offers. There are various types of bonuses being offered and the most common among them are no deposit bonus, welcome or sign up bonus, refer a friend bonus, etc.

No Deposit Bonus is a bonus where you need not deposit any funds into your account. Generally, this is a tiny bonus just so you can try out the site for free before you decide to actually deposit money and play. This kind of bonus is offered by a handful of poker sites, but you’ll find each and every one of them offering the Sign up Bonus. Poker rooms are on the lookout for new members to improve the customer base. So when a new member signs up at the site, he or she is welcomed with a bonus to match the first money deposit they make into the account.

A sign up bonus or welcome bonus or first deposit bonus as it may sometimes be called, is credited fully or in part into your account. However, you must play or collect points by playing a certain number of raked hands, i.e. play real money poker, to be able to withdraw winnings if any from that bonus.  Poker bonuses are a great way to build up your initial bankroll. Online poker rooms like Betonline Poker offer a number of poker bonuses so there is plenty of opportunity to get some extra money to play poker.

Besides the no deposit bonus and sign up bonus, poker rooms have bonuses for existing members as well. The most common is the Refer-a-friend bonus. This one will grant you a small bonus usually $50 or $100 each time you introduce a friend to the poker room. Of course, the friend must sign up and open a real money account for you to be eligible for this bonus.

When you play at a new poker room with the help of your bonus, play one table at a time. This way, you get used to the environment and get a feel of the poker room before you move on to multiple tables to clear your bonus. The general perception is that a bonus is free money; however, all bonuses come with wagering conditions. To clear the bonus, you must play a certain number of raked hands and collect points. You are allowed to cash out the bonus only if you complete the wagering conditions. Often, you find that the bonus is only a play bonus, meaning you cannot withdraw the bonus itself, only the winnings you got off it.

Players opting for the bonus want to clear it as fast as possible. The poker room also stipulates the time in which the bonus must be cleared or you will lose it. Many poker players adopt the practice of playing multi table poker to clear the bonus faster. This is a good strategy if you are a reasonably skilled player with the ability to play multiple tables at a time. No doubt, it helps earn the bonus faster but you might not be putting in your best game play which will cost you money in the long run.

The player has the choice whether to opt for the bonus being offered by the online poker room or not. It is essential for the player to make sure that he understands the terms of the bonus. A good bonus offer is one that has small rollover requirements and one which allows you to complete the conditions within a reasonable time frame. Usually players have anything from 30 days to 90 days to complete the wagering requirements, depending on the poker room’s rules. It is up to the player to decide whether he can clear the bonus or not. If the bonus wagering conditions are unreasonable, the players are better off skipping the offer.

Poker bonus offers are available in plenty, but finding a good bonus takes some doing. If the offer looks too good to be true, then it may well be. There are no free meals, as they say, there is always a catch with a free offer. So when you hunt for a poker bonus, make sure that you read, and more importantly, understand the implications of the conditions attached to it before you accept.

Gambling Jurisdictions

Online casino guides advise you to join only those internet gambling sites that are licensed or permitted to offer the services. Not only that, the license must be granted by a reputed gambling jurisdiction and the casino must take care to display the name of the licensing authority on the website’s home page. Although there is no compulsion for the online gambling site to obtain a license to operate, they do so in order to build up customer trust and grant legitimacy to their operations.

So what are these online gambling jurisdictions? Gambling jurisdictions are organizations that have a system for vetting the applications of operators wanting to provide online gambling services. They are generally sovereign regions that earn a considerable portion of their revenues from gambling licensing business. They have the mechanism in place to conduct due diligence and vetting of applications before issuing the license as well as enforcing the licensing regulations later on. Respected and reputed online gambling jurisdictions include Kahnawake, Antigua and Barbuda, Alderney, Gibraltar, Curacao, Malta and Isle of Man.

In 1994, the gambling jurisdiction of Antigua and Barbuda was the first to be established under the Financial Services Regulatory Commission. Next, it was the Kahnawake Gaming Commission established in 1996. The Commission regulates and licenses a wide range of online gaming sites including three land based poker rooms located in the Mohawk Territory of Kahnawake, Canada. The Curacao Internet Gaming Association was established in 2001 and is a regulatory body in the Netherlands Antilles. The Lotteries and Gaming jurisdiction of Malta was also incorporated in 2001.

Each of these online gambling jurisdictions has their own set procedures, although they have a common approach when it comes to the vetting process. Three aspects pertaining to the applicant online gaming operator are examined in great detail, namely, credibility of the promoters, fairness of the games and customer protection measures.  The applicant gaming operators are required to provide complete information pertaining to finances, management set up, past activities in a similar line of business, references from bankers, etc. Due diligence is done with the help of expert agencies.

As far as the fairness of games is concerned, the expert agencies subject the gaming software to standard risk analysis and submit reports to the licensing jurisdictions. For the security of the customers, the online gambling jurisdiction verifies if the customer protection and safety measures are in place. Bonus computation systems and payouts are also scrutinized for transparency. The online gambling site must also have a grievance redress system in place and also ensure that players gamble in a responsible manner.  The license is granted to the gaming operator only after all these aspects are to the gambling jurisdiction’s satisfaction.

Online gambling sites licensed by various jurisdictions are carefully monitored to ensure that they are operated fairly and are transparent in their dealings. This is beneficial to both, the online casino and the players. Today, even though online gambling is banned and gambling sites cannot be owned and operated in the United States, American players can still access and enjoy online gaming. This is possible because online gambling sites have a global presence, meaning they can be accessed from anywhere. The licensing from reputed gambling jurisdictions assures the players of the legitimacy and legality of the online gambling site that they play at. Players can trust the sites that are regulated and monitored by reputed gambling jurisdictions and online watchdog organizations.

Today, even the larger countries in Europe like Britain, France and Italy have begun setting up their own monitoring bodies for internet gambling. This can only bode well for the online gambling industry, especially when it comes to player protection, transparency and fairness in operations. Already, is it much safer to gamble online today than it was a decade ago and going forward, things will only improve.

Best Gambling Sites

Online gambling sites are venues where players can place their bets for casino games or bet on sports or bet at a poker room through the internet. So, for example, a player wanting to bet on sports might sign up at Bet365. If he prefers casino games, Casino Titan is the best gambling site especially for US players. There are plenty of online casinos and sports books coming up almost everyday in the online gambling sphere, hence, choosing the best gambling sites to play at can be quite a challenge. This is especially true for someone who is new to gambling in general and online gambling in particular.

The convenience of online gambling has attracted even those who didn’t think of gambling before to try their luck at casino games. Online gambling sites have brought the Vegas experience and the thrill of betting on horses and sports, right into people’s home. While the popularity of online gambling has given rise to numerous online gambling venues, not all of them can be deemed as best gambling sites to register at. Like in every other business, the online gambling industry too has its fraudsters and dishonest operators who are out to cheat the customers.

When looking for the best gambling site to play at, every player must conduct due diligence – in other words, gather as much information as possible about a particular gambling site before deciding to join. While there is any number of review sites and online casino guides providing lists of the best gambling sites that are supposedly reliable and safe, it is always better to do your own background checks. So, what do you look for in the best gambling site? Here are some points to keep in mind:

The Gambling Site’s Reputation

The online casino industry is full of honest as well as shady operators and you must be able to recognize the honest ones. Usually, the best gambling sites are the ones that have earned a good reputation with years of experience in the casino industry. Take for example bookmaker.eu, which has been around since the 1990s. It is a well known site especially for internet sports betting, but it also offers a casino, poker room as well as mobile betting.

Is the Gambling Site Licensed to Operate?

Honest online gambling sites obtain licenses to operate in particular jurisdictions from reputed gaming commissions. And, a reliable gambling site will make sure that the licenses are displayed prominently on their websites. Licenses to operate in a reputable location like Netherlands or Gibraltar generally mean the casino is reliable. The best gambling sites usually have their systems and processes audited by reputed bodies and obtain certifications to that effect. Players can look out for these certifications on the websites.

Customer Support at the Gambling Site

Customer support is something that is generally overlooked but is a very important factor to consider. While we hope not to encounter problems at the casino, it is advisable to ensure that help is available when required. The best gambling sites will have an efficient customer support system in place either through telephone, live chat and email, available round the clock. Players might test out the efficiency and promptness of the support team by posing a few questions. WinPalace.com and Casino Titan both offer help through live chat, which is preferred by customers.

Deposit and Withdrawal Options

It is essential to check out the withdrawal and deposit options offered by the online casino. The banking options must be suitable for the player. More importantly, the gambling site must have a reputation for quick and hassle free payouts. Dishonest online casino operators lag behind when it comes to making payouts of the player’s winnings. Another factor that must be considered is the security measures adopted by the casino to protect the player’s financial and personal details. Financial transactions must take place on secure servers.

Software and Game Selection

The casino software makes a big difference to the player’s gaming experience. The best gambling sites use software from reputed software providers like Microgaming, Playtech, Real Time Gaming, etc. Both Win Palace Casino and Casino Titan use software from Real Time Gaming; it is easily navigable with excellent sounds, graphics and animation. The gambling site you select must also offer games of your choice. So, if you like playing craps for example, make sure that the internet casino does indeed offer it.

Bonus and Rewards

The best gambling sites offer decent bonuses and promotions that have reasonable wagering conditions. In this age of fierce competition in the online gambling industry, all casinos try to entice the customer with over-the-top bonus and promotional offers. If the bonus offers look too good to be true, then you might want to give that casino a miss. Such internet gambling sites rarely make good their promise and often have ready excuses not to give you the benefits.

Internet Casino Jackpots

One of the reasons players are attracted to the best internet casinos is the allure of the massive jackpots that promise a windfall in a jiffy. Although there are players who want to play it safe by going for the low risk games, the majority of them prefer to take risks with the hope of landing that life-changing jackpot. Progressive jackpots at internet casinos give players the very opportunity to win big. The progressive jackpot keeps on growing as more and more players try their luck to win it. Finally, when the lucky player hits the jackpot, he stands to gain millions of dollars. Few internet casino games offer progressive jackpots and the most common among them is Slots. There are some table games that offer jackpots as well.

Slots Progressive Jackpots

The most popular among internet casino games is slots and you will find that these games have the largest number of progressive jackpots. The payouts range from a few thousands to millions playing on penny machines. The progressive jackpots may be localized at a single online casino, or they might be linked to jackpots at other online casinos. Different online casinos using the same brand of software link up for the progressive jackpots allowing players from all the linked casinos to attempt to win that progressive jackpot. This might look unappealing at first, because it means there is a chance that someone might hit the jackpot early. But in reality, such a progressive jackpot will grow at a much faster rate. The result is an ever growing progressive jackpot which when hit will yield a huge prize worth millions of dollars.

When it comes to strategy, there isn’t much to be done for a progressive slots jackpot. However, if you want to win a progressive slots jackpot, the best way is to play the maximum number of coins. This gives you at least a fighting chance of a win.

Progressive Jackpots for Table Games

There are a few table games that have the facility for progressive jackpots. These can in fact grow to a large extent giving the winner prize money of a few millions. Caribbean Stud Poker is one of the table games where Progressive Jackpots are common. In Caribbean Stud Poker, the progressive jackpot, which is, in fact a side bet, can be played if the player opts to make a $1 bet. Mind you, the $1 bet is optional and if the player does not want to participate in the jackpot, he can simply continue playing the main game.

The strength of the hand dealt will decide if the player wins the jackpot or not. The player either wins a set amount of money or a part of the jackpot depending on the dealt hand. For example, the Royal Flush will get the full jackpot amount while the Straight Flush will only get 10% of the jackpot. Four of a kind may get $100, a full house $75 and a Flush would get $50. Casinos have different rules. They may even pay out for three of a kind and even four of a kind. Ultimately, it all depends on the online casino and how much they are willing to offer the player.

The Caribbean Stud Poker player can be sure of hitting the jackpot when he has a Royal Flush. Although this progressive jackpot may not be profitable for the player, it does grow quite fast. And for the lucky player who wins the jackpot, it becomes hugely profitable.

Progressive Jackpots present a different kind of thrill to the internet gambler and hence many are willing to try it.

Forms of Internet Gambling

Perhaps the popularity of internet gambling lies in the fact that there are so many options to choose from. Variety is the spice of life and the variety offered by internet gambling makes it very appealing to many. Convenience is of course another factor that makes gambling online very popular with gambling fans. Now, you no longer need to plan an expensive trip to Las Vegas or Atlantic City, the best internet casinos bring the Vegas experience right into your home.

Online gamblers must first exercise their options while selecting an online casino to play at. The internet is full of numerous online casinos of which some may not be honest in their dealings with the customer. It is important to select a safe, reliable and trustworthy online casino that offers the games of your choice while also allowing you to enjoy the best gambling experience. Shopping around for a reputed and reliable casino might take a while, but ultimately it worth the time and patience you put in. The internet itself is a convenient tool that puts various options at your fingertips. You have online review sites, guides, gambling forums, blogs, discussion boards and a variety of other online means by which you can gather information to make an informed decision.

Different Options in Internet Gambling

After selecting an online casino, you must sign up for an account with the casino. Internet casinos allow you play in two ways: Download Casinos and No download casinos.

Download Casinos

Internet gambling is done with the help of casino software. One they register with the gambling site, players may download the casino software on to their computers and install it. The software is free to download and generally presents the full suite of games that the particular casino offers. Downloading and installation of the casino software needs to be done only once initially when the player registers himself at the online casino. Usually the process takes a few minutes. Once the software is installed on the computer, the casino is available for play at any time provided there is net connectivity.

No Download Casinos

If the player does not want to download the software, internet gambling sites allow him to play directly from the browser. This is known as the no download version or Flash Version or Instant Play Version of the casino software. Here, the player need not download the software, but can simply log on to the casino site through his internet browser and begin playing.

Flash or instant play version is especially ideal for players using Mac or Linux systems. It is also useful to those who gamble on shared computers. Another advantage of the instant play option is the fact that the gaming software does not take up valuable memory space on the computer.

Until recently, gaming software developers concentrated on download versions of the casino software while not paying much attention to the development of the Instant Play versions. The full game collection was not included in the Flash version and therefore many players preferred to download software and gamble online. Today however, things have improved considerably. Software providers ensure that the full package of games being offered is available in the no download version as well. WinPalace Casino, bookmaker.eu and Bodog Poker are some sites that offer both download as well as the no download version of games.

Real Money Internet Gambling and Free Money Games

When playing at a land based casino, we know only about playing with money. You buy chips at the land based casino to place your wager at the gambling tables. Internet gambling on the other hand allows play money games, that is, play for free without spending anything from your pocket. For people new to the internet gambling world, this is a great way to get familiar with how things work online. Free games are also a good way for new players to practice their games and generally get a feel of internet gambling.

Live Casino

By Live Casino we don’t mean live betting at a land based casino, rather, betting on the live action taking place at a casino that is streamed into your computer. The Live Casino option was made possible due to the evolution of technology where players can not only watch the dealer in action but also interact with the dealer and other participants in the game. Usually online casinos offer Blackjack, Baccarat and Roulette through the Live Casino option.

Mobile Gambling

Internet gambling technology is evolving every day. The latest trend is mobile betting where people can download the casino or sports betting software on to their PDAs or smart phones. Today, people can place their wagers via the ubiquitous mobile phone having the luxury of literally carrying the casino or bookmaker in their pocket, allowing betting while on the move. Bookmaker.eu offers mobile betting to its customers, thus taking internet gambling to a whole new level.

Internet Casino FAQ

More and more people find the ease and convenience of online gambling very appealing and many of them opt to spend their free time sitting before a computer and playing online casino games. But to some this may be a new venture and they might have a few questions in their mind about the new trend that is online gambling. Here we have compiled some information on the best internet casinos presented in the form of online casino FAQ. These are frequently asked questions that we have attempted to answer, so read on…

1. What is an online casino?

An online casino is a venue where you can play casino games or poker with the help of the internet. Games can be played by either downloading the casino software or in the Flash, no-download version. Players can enjoy free or practice games as well as play for real money by electronically depositing funds into their casino account. The online casino in turn, returns any winnings to the player upon request.

2. What are the types of casinos?

The two types of casinos that you come across online are download casinos and no download casinos. In download casinos, you must download the software and install it to play your favorite games. No download of software is required in the instant play or Flash version; you simply play through the browser.

3. Is it legal to gamble online?

Many countries do not have laws prohibiting online gambling. Whether online gambling is legal or not depends on your country of residence and the laws in that jurisdiction. In the US, some states have made gambling illegal and the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006 has banned financial institutions from handling online gambling related transaction effectively putting an end to online gambling.

4. Is online gambling safe?

Reputed online casinos understand the importance of security of players’ details and therefore make all efforts to maintain it. Financial transactions at an online casino take place on encrypted servers and player details are also maintained in a secure environment that is accessed only by authorized personnel. Under the circumstances, it can be assumed that online gambling is safe at any reliable and reputed online gambling venue.

5. Are online casinos fair in their dealings?

For the most part, online casinos that are reputed and trustworthy are usually fair in their dealings. The outcome of online casino games is decided by the Random Number Generator which is a software program that mimics the real life situation at a land-based casino. The software cannot be altered to favor the casino and even if it could be done, it would become obvious to the player leading to a loss of revenue to the casino. Online casinos don’t want this to happen and therefore take all measures to ensure that the games are fair and random.

6. Is it possible to win at online casinos?

This is a question that comes to every one’s mind as they start online gambling. Yes, it is possible to win at an online casino and some have even managed to win big amounts playing slots.

7. How do I select an online casino?

With more than thousand online casinos available on the internet, selecting an ideal one can be quite a tricky task. However, it is recommended that the player do a background check on the casino before joining. Reputed casinos are popular and reliable, so it is usually safe to join one that has many years of service, is well known and known to be trustworthy.

8. How do I deposit and withdraw money at an online casino?

Online casinos offer various means for depositing and withdrawing cash to and from the casino accounts. The most popular method is the use of debit and credit cards, e-wallets like Neteller and Money bookers, etc. Players can request for a withdrawal of their winnings by the same method they made a deposit, if the casino permits it. It is advisable to use a banking method that supports deposits as well as withdrawals.

9. How do I download online casino software?

Online casinos are offered in two formats, the download version and the no download version of software. To download the software, players must visit the website and click on the download button. An installation file is downloaded that must be run by the player. Once this is done and the player accepts the terms and conditions, the rest of the files will be downloaded and installed on the computer.

10.  How do I play at an online casino?

As soon as the software is downloaded, the player must register at the casino and create a log in with username and password. Playing for real money requires creating an account to deposit money. Players can begin playing as soon as money is deposited into the casino account.

Gamble at internet casinos with caution

Internet casino gambling can be defined simply and in the easiest of terms as any form of gambling, both traditional or otherwise, that is taken part in over the Internet. However, Internet gambling covers many, many forms of gambling, some that you would think of off the top of your head and some that you would not. The most common forms of Internet gambling are online card and casino style games. These games are traditional games that can be found in most any internet casino and can be played either against other opponents or against the owner of the website. Other forms of Internet gambling might include, but are certainly not limited to, betting on sports events, online bingo, and betting on horse racing events.

These games are dangerous and financially risky in the same way that they are in any other setting. People get caught up in them. People become reckless and brave, trying to win it big, make back the money that they have spent or lost, or simply do not regard the amount of money they are investing seriously until it is too late. Many of them charge small amounts of money but on a frequent per game basis, making it seem like you are not spending much money, even though the numbers add up quickly.

A very large risk involved in Internet gambling is the extreme ease with which it can be accessed. Many people with gambling problems that would otherwise have limited access to gambling have a large open portal to all kinds of gambling, they need only log on to their computer and start searching and are bound to find many sites with all different forms of gambling. Many people who have addiction problems with gambling find the privacy and secrecy of being able to freely gamble from the safety of their own homes tempting.

Poker sites are probably the most popular of gambling sites. They have a lot of people going to them and the sites usually make money by charging players to use the site rather than actually being involved in the winning and losing of money within the site. Players play against each other. These sites often have chats and other ways to talk with other players making them a tempting social outlet as well. These sites are dangerous because not only are you most likely often losing money but you are paying the site also.

The ease with which you can spend and lose large amounts of money through these sites is such a large danger that it can be difficult to find ways to get your money onto the site, this is like a red flag to those who know they should not be spending money, but for those who are determined it is a small hurdle that can be easily passed and may even make them more determined to reach the sites to get down to gambling. However, perhaps the largest danger or all is the risk that if you do win money or do not lose all of the money that you place on your site account, you may not be able to retrieve your funds back from the site! Their are many laws in the United States as well as other countries limiting banks on their participation in gambling at internet casinos. Many banks are unable to transfer funds to or from online gambling sites. Essentially the dangers of online gambling are the same as those of any other kind of gambling, but each type of gambling has it’s own dangers and different things that make it it’s own problem.

Best Casino Withdraw Options

In our previous article, we wrote about the importance of selecting the right method for depositing money in your internet casino account. Another important aspect when playing at an internet casino for real money is cashing out your winnings. After all, we play online to win and withdraw those winnings. But sometimes things don’t go as smoothly as we want them to.

At times, some online casino players may not enjoy the best internet casino experience when it comes to withdrawals. This usually happens when the internet casino they have joined is not reputed or is not entirely honest in its dealings with the customer.  The withdrawal process might also be delayed due to the player not fulfilling the laid down conditions.

When we play at an internet casino and win, it is understandable that we are eager to get our winnings in hand as soon as possible. So, to avoid disappointment, it is best to be well informed of the terms and conditions of the casino, the banking processes as well as the specific conditions for cashing out from the internet casino. It is a wise practice to read all the terms, conditions and understand them. If anything is unclear, it is advisable to talk to the customer support staff and get a clarification before signing up at the internet casino.

Online casinos do not allow the players to cash out unless all the documentation is complete. Usually, the verification process happens during the first withdrawal. Players are required to provide proofs for identity and address when they ask for a withdrawal the first time. If it is bonus money that the player seeks to withdraw, then all wagering requirements must be complete. Also, the player will not be able to withdraw if it is a ‘play bonus’.

A few precautions must be taken when the player decides to cash out. Firstly, cash outs must be only attempted when you have logged into your account securely. An icon of a closed lock usually appears in one of the corners of the webpage when you are logged into a secure system. Also, it is not advisable to initiate a withdrawal from a shared computer as this may be open to hacking.

The actual withdrawal process is quite simple since it is menu-driven. The player must go to the Banking or Cashier Menu on the casino website and select “Withdrawals”; next, he can choose the banking method he would like to use for cashing out from the internet casino. Depending on the verification process, the first withdrawal might take some time, but subsequent withdrawals will be quick.

Various methods are available to the player for cashing out their winnings at an internet casino. Some of the best internet casinos allow the player to withdraw funds to their credit card provided the same method was used to deposit funds. Also, this facility may not be available in certain countries. But wherever it is available, credit cards are the best banking method to use at an online casino.

E-wallets are another hassle-free option of withdrawing winnings from the online casino account. Again, the withdrawals must be through the same e-wallet as the deposit was made. Although there might be a few restrictions in the use of an e-wallet, the withdrawal is instantaneous. Some of the common e-wallets are MoneyBookers, PayPal and Neteller, though these are not available to US players.

Most internet casino players prefer check withdrawals as this is the easiest way to withdraw or deposit money in a casino account although it may not be instantaneous. However, the internet casino may charge a small fee for cashing out through checks, especially if it is a small amount.

The best internet casinos will usually offer all the deposit and withdrawal methods available. So if you join a reputed online casino site, then you should have no problem finding a deposit and withdrawal method of your choice.

US Player Casinos

The United States is the biggest market for the online gambling industry. Sadly, many American players have found that internet casinos do not accept them. Even when some internet casinos do accept US players, there are issues whenever money transactions must take place. Yet there are plenty of internet casinos that accept US players and have few problems with money deposits and withdrawals. The problems started way back in 2006 when the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act or UIGEA was passed as part of the SAFE Port Act to improve the security of US Ports.

The UIGEA prohibits financial institutions from transferring money to the internet gambling sites. However, some of the sports like horse and harness racing, fantasy sports and online lotteries were excluded from the purview of the UIGEA. On the ground however, there was much confusion since many aspects of the UIGEA were unclear and open to interpretation. In fact, many online casinos decided to act cautiously and banned US players from their sites. Yet others did exactly the opposite and continued accepting American players. Even today, there are a large number of internet casinos that do not accept US players, but there are an equal number that do.

When the UIGEA was made into law in the United States, some internet casinos owned by public companies traded on the stock exchange decided to stop operating in the US markets. Even some online casinos owned by private companies decided to pull out of the US leaving many an online gambler in a lurch.

It is illegal to operate an online casino from the shores of the United States of America. So those casinos registered in gaming jurisdictions outside of USA seem to be on legal ground. As for the players, the UIGEA does not prevent them from gambling online. State laws do prevent players from certain states like California, Texas, Florida and Nevada from gambling online. Efforts are being made from all quarters to get the American Government to legalize online gambling. There is little progress in that direction though, but there is still hope that things will change for the better.

For the present, there are a few reputed internet casinos that accept US players. Win Palace Casino and Casino Titan are two names that come to mind. These are also the best internet casinos you could play at. When selecting the best internet casino to play at, US players must be extra cautious. There are plenty of so called “US friendly” casinos out there, but not all are to be trusted. Like always, you must perform a background check before you sign up. It is wise to go through a few review sites to check out on the US friendly casino that you think might be suitable.

The main issue for American players is the matter of money deposits and withdrawals. While picking out a good internet casino make sure that it will accept your money and check whether the deposit method is suitable for you. At times, credit cards may be allowed, which is by far, the easiest method of funding your online casino account. There are other options as well and e-wallets are emerging the method of choice for most.

Before signing up at an internet casino, there is another important aspect to keep in mind – your local gambling laws. If you live in a state where online gambling is illegal, then you must avoid online gambling rather than get into a legal tangle that’s impossible to unravel. For those who don’t have such problems to contend with, it is wise to visit an internet casino that is known to accept US players, has a good standing in the online casino industry and is known to make fast payouts.

Internet Sports Betting

Gone are the days when a bettor had to actually get dressed and venture out of his house to place a bet on his favorite team at the local bookmaker. Today the whole world has gone online and you could hardly expect sports betting to remain behind. Internet sports betting is the trend that is becoming quite popular. You don’t even need to walk down to the local bookmaker; you can place a wager on your favorite horse or the local college football team right from home. All you need is a PC with internet access and you are all set to make your millions online.

Online sports betting has become so popular that if you simply Google the term, a million results will show up, with so many online betting sites, betting exchanges and everything else connected with online sports betting. This is a recent development, however. When the sports betting industry went online more than a decade ago, there were few takers for online betting. People were hesitant to place wagers online, simply because it was a new phenomenon. Indeed, internet sports betting was a risky undertaking back then.

Over the past decade however, things greatly improved and internet sports betting is now as safe as the best internet casinos.  Online security has improved and online sports betting sites are now regulated and licensed by Gambling Commissions from various jurisdictions. People are better informed today than they were back then so internet sports betting is no longer intimidating like it was before.

Difference between internet sports betting and betting at land based sportsbook

There are a few differences that you would come across at an internet sports betting site when you compare it with a land-based sportsbook. When placing wagers at a land based sports betting venue, you can check out all the odds all at once, but at an internet sports betting site you need to browse the categories to check out the odds. Cash is used to place wagers at a land based bookmaker while money is transferred electronically into your online sportsbook account. The addition and subtraction of funds is done in your online account and there is no physical exchange of cash. Of course the biggest difference between an online and land based sportsbook is the convenience factor. Internet sports betting is not only convenient, it is safe and cheaper too.

Why is internet sports betting cheaper?

Brick and mortar sports books have plenty of overheads and are therefore forced to charge more fees/juice/vig for the bet. Online sports books on the other hand have fewer overheads so the juice taken from your online wagers is minimal. Even online casinos can afford to give higher payout percentages for the same reason. To make profits, they do not need to charge higher fees from their customers. Internet sports betting sites have a world-wide clientele that runs into millions of customers and all these customers generate business for the sports book.  For an internet sports betting enthusiast, it is therefore much cheaper to bet online.

Choosing the best internet sports betting site

The internet is full of sports betting sites that have proven themselves over the years and gained a good reputation for being reliable. On the other hand, there are also rogue sports betting sites that you might happen to come across. However, with all the regulations and industry watchdogs, even if you encounter a not-so-honest sports betting site, there is a chance to set things right through mediation by the right authorities.

When we consider Internet sports betting, Bet365 sportsbook is a name that comes out on top of the pack. It is the largest online sportsbook that has been in the sports betting business since 1974 with live betting shops all over United Kingdom. The site offers competitive odds on almost all kinds of sporting events that we know today. Besides the usual collection of sports, Bet365 covers some of the more obscure sports like handball, badminton, Gaelic Sports and snooker. There are a variety of betting options for each of the sports including money lines, point spreads, futures, propositions, first half betting and so on.

The bonus at Bet365 is better than most other internet sports betting sites. New members get 100% match up to $200. Wagering requirements are simple and easy to achieve. You must play through your deposit amount once and then play the deposit and bonus three times to free your bonus. The customer service is excellent, with efficient and prompt staff that tries to resolve your queries as soon as possible.

They can be reached by email, Fax, toll-free number and live chat.

Overall, Bet365 is one of the most reputable Internet sports betting venues that you will find. You can be assured of the safety of your personal data as well as your money at Bet365 Sportsbook.