The
pros
and
cons
of
gambling
online...
The
Pros...
Concentration
factor...
This
is
one
for
the
serious
gamblers
out
there.
Traditional
casinos
are
loud,
bright
and
busy,
with
constant
distractions
to
all
of
your
senses.
This
is
great
if
your
there
for
the
novelty
of
the
casino
environment,
but
no
so
good
if
you
want
to
play
seriously
and
concentrate
on
your
chosen
game
strategy.
One
of
the
benefits
of
playing
online,
is
that
you
dictate
what
environment
you
want
to
play
in.
You
can
concentrate
in
the
total
quiet
of
you
study
if
concentration
is
important
to
your
gambling
style.
Built
in
information
resource...
Don't
know
the
basic
strategy
of
a
certain
game?
Or
not
sure
which
casino
games
return
the
most
to
the
player
when
played
optimally?
Playing
online
means
that
all
of
this
information
is
at
your
fingertips
as
you
play.
The
Internet
is
without
doubt
the
largest
information
resource
in
the
world,
and
there
are
some
great
gambling
information
resources
out
there
(your
looking
at
one
now!).
This
Pro
is
especially
relevant
to
sports
betting.
Before
you
place
a
bet
you
can:
-
check
the
best
odds
available
online
at
an
online
odds
comparison
service,
-
check
past
results
and
team
form
at
any
one
of
thousands
of
sports
almanac
sites,
-
check
expert
tipsters
opinions
at
any
one
of
thousands
of
handicapping
sites...
Convenience...
Probably
the
most
obvious
pro.
I
mean
if
we
could
all
click
our
fingers
and
be
at
Vegas
when
we
felt
like
having
a
punt
we
would,
but
this
is
just
not
possible.
The
costs
(both
time
and
money)
and
hassles
associated
with
getting
to
a
terrestrial
casino
are
significant,
even
if
you
live
reasonably
close
to
one.
Privacy...
Online casinos allow you to play your chosen game in private,
without the distractions of a busy gaming room. And you never face
the annoyance of not being able to play because the tables offering a
minimum bet acceptable to you are full. Of course should you want to interact with
others, you can do this provided you play at a multi-play casino, but
otherwise it is just you and the dealer.
Transaction
record...
When you play online, your account balance, and therefore your net
win or loss at any given point of time is clearly displayed to
you. You know exactly how much you have won or lost, and (at a
good casino) how you have won or lost it,
as
play history reports are
readily available. By comparison, the typical terrestrial casino
experience is less controlled and transparent.
You control
speed of play...
Playing
online
allows
you
to
completely
control
the
speed
of
game
play.
You
will
never
feel
rushed
by
impatient
gamblers,
and
can
think
long
and
hard
about
your
next
move
before
making
it.
I
used
to
play
online
blackjack
with
a
basic
strategy
matrix
sitting
in
front
of
me,
taking
my
time
to
select
the
correct
play
for
each
deal
so
that
I
played
faultless
basic
strategy.
Range
of
options
available...
Anyone
who
ever
says
that
online
casinos
or
sportsbooks
are
not
as
comprehensive
as
their
land
based
counterparts
has
not
played
online.
While
it
is
true
that
there
is
a
wide
divergence
in
the
offering
of
online
operators,
the
more
comprehensive
casinos
and
sportsbooks
offer
everything
the
largest
terrestrial
casino
or
bet
shop
would
offer
and
more.
Some
online
sportsbooks
offer
hundreds
of
bet
lines
daily,
while
some
casinos
offer
over
70
different
games.
Practice
for free...
Almost all online casinos offer unlimited free play of their
games. This gives you
a
great
opportunity
to either learn how to
play a particular game, or to familiarise yourself with the casinos game
software.
Few
traditional
casinos
offer
customers
a free play option.
Great
graphics...
If you haven't played at an online casino you will be amazed at the
realistic 3D graphics and smooth simulated games that are offered.
This applies especially to casinos which license software from the industries
leading casino software developers such as
Cryptologic,
Microgaming, and
Boss Media.
Bonuses...
One of the most powerful attributes of the internet is its ability
to present users with many easily accessible options in a given area of
enquiry. This promotes strong competition between web businesses
competing for new customers, and as a consequence, great deals for those
customers. The online casino industry is no exception, with
almost
2000 casinos competing fiercely for their share of the online gambling
market by offering great sign up bonuses. It is not unusual for
internet casinos to offer 100% sign up
bonuses...ie deposit $100 and you get given $100 free. Casinos
offering over $100 in initial deposit bonuses. Check out
current bonus offer here
Audited
returns...
One
for
the
skeptics
out
there.
Many online casinos now have their return to player rates audited by
big 5 accounting firms (most notably
PriceWaterhouseCoopers). You
can therefore see how much players were returned in prior months at
these casinos. Returns are generally verified in the range 96% to
99% at these casinos, proving that the returns offered by these casinos
are every bit as good, if not better, than those offered at any terrestrial casino.
The Cons...
Can you
trust the operator...
The online casino industry is largely self
regulated
and
with
so many operators out there, many people are justifiably
concerned with the trustworthiness of the various casinos.
Combine
this
uncertainty
with
the
fact
that you have no
realistic and practical avenue of recourse in the event that an internet
casino does cheat you some how. If, for example, a casino based in
the
Vanuatu
was to refuse to pay out your
$1000 account, then
even if there was some way that you could legally enforce your rights (
which is unlikely), it would not be worth the cost and effort to do
so. And its not like you can damage the reputation of some of
these casinos by bringing their unscrupulous operating practices to
public attention because quite simply they do not have a reputation that
can be damaged.
The moral of
the story here is yes, some online casinos should not be touched.
It should also be said though, that this con
does not apply to
all online casinos. The majority of online casinos do have
reputations that they are proud of and that they are very careful to
keep in tact. Casinos that I have played at for
some
time,
without complaint, are listed
here
Payout
speed...
Unfortunately
an
online
casino
will
never
be
able
to
pay
you
real
cash
on
the
spot
when
you
win.
The great thing about a gambling windfall at a terrestrial casino is
that you walk away with real cash. One of the things I dislike
most about online casinos is the time taken to receive your winning
check. As I don't live in North America, I have to wait between 1
and 2 weeks before receiving my winnings in the mail. Presumably
payout time for US residents would be 2 to 4 days, which isn't bad, but
certainly doesn't compare with cash in your pocket straight
away. It should be
said that a
many
casinos offer instant payment to your credit card
account but only to the value of your initial deposit. You'll
still have to wait for your winnings I'm afraid. A handful of
casinos also offer payment by wire transfer directly into your bank
account...but this generally costs you a small fee.
Atmosphere...
If you love the excitement of the casino gaming room and interaction
with other players, then online casinos might fail to win you
over. As much as they try to replicate the online gambling
experience with casino sounds, multi-play tables and flashy graphics,
they will never truly replicate the real life casino gaming room.
Technical
problems...
This is one that I haven't experienced a great deal, but I'm sure it
could give rise to some frustration. Delays in getting set up for
those of you with slow connections could also be frustrating. All
quality operators have 24/7 customer support who are very quick to
respond to problems. On the odd occasion that I do experience
delays, (eg long download) I cheer myself up by imagining having to
drive to the casino and find a parking spot!
