Gambling has been with us since ancient times. Gambling online is a relatively new phenomenon and one that seems to be growing in popularity on a daily basis. Take a look-at these facts:

The very first online gambling site was launched in August 1995. It’s currently estimated that you will discover around 2,000 Internet gambling Sites offering various wagering options, including sports betting, casino games, lotteries and bingo.

Internet gambling revenue in 2005 was estimated at $11.9 billion and is projected to double by 2010, image source as outlined by Christiansen Capital Advisors (CCA).

So what is it about the online casino phenomenon which has so enticed gamblers? Perhaps it’s the virtue of it simply being online. There are numerous attractions to not having to attend a casino to gamble. The most prominent of these will be the intimidation. Online gambling opens up a whole host of games to players who previously never had the courage or interest in observing tables in a land based casino.

Then it’s the choice of games. The range of games and their varieties online are astounding. Poker, blackjack, roulette or sports gambling, online casinos offer all of them. Lets take a look at a couple of of them:

Online poker has been partly accountable for a dramatic increase in the range of poker players worldwide. For the year of 2005, revenues from online poker were estimated at US$200 million monthly.

Blackjack, also known as twenty-one or Pontoon, is just one of the best casino card games on the globe. Much of blackjack’s popularity is as a result of the mix of chance with elements of skill, as well as the publicity that surrounds card counting The slot machine typically pays off based upon patterns of symbols visible on the front of the equipment when it stops. Modern computer technology has resulted in lots of variations on the slot machine concept.

The freedom of time and expense are added attractions. The online casinos are relatively cost-effective to use in terms of staff being paid, so they may be able to offer players free games. Entering a blackjack room within an online casino is quite different to approaching a blackjack table in a land based casino. The speed and intimidation can be high when playing in a ritzy casino. Crucial decisions are made quickly and also on the spot. At home, the player is able to slow down and play only once they are ready.

Sadly, with such a growth in popularity has come many online gambling hoaxes. Illegitimate and cheating websites are present on the net as well as can be deceiving. The most critical things to remember when gambling online will be the three elements of consideration, prize and chance. All three should be present.

The problem with online gambling is the fact that it is far harder to control. The sector which has to protect itself from the risks of compulsive gamblers. In the virtual world, this is tough to enforce. A customer is able to sit in their own living room, in what ever state they decide to be in and at whatever age and gamble as much as they desire.