By Jerry Whittaker

There is very little difference between the framework of casinos online and that of regular gambling. All genres and styles of gaming take place within this regular framework; the only thing that is different, is the fact that we play in a virtual setting. This certainly has more pros than cons, and we find many online gamers playing, who would not be seen dead in a live casino. By the same token, many live casino lovers also enjoy playing online games, and actually what’s not to love?

Casinos online emulate – almost to a ‘T” – the ambiance of a traditional live casino setting. This has become more and more possible with the advancement of sophisticated state-of-the-art gaming and back-drop technology, which now incorporates the use of three-dimensional graphics, even the sounds come through. If you like the feel and sound of a casino, even if it seems like you are being trapped inside a giant pin-ball machine, this now available from the comfort of your own living room. Light up a cigarette and recreate days-gone-by when Humphrey Bogart was lighting up around the roulette tables of Casablanca. Have a drink on yourself, only don’t have too many, this is a sure-fire way to lose.

If a casino is not your cup of tea, or glass of lager, don’t worry, there are tons of gambling options online. It might be the trill of the horses, dogs or Formula I that gets your motor racing. No worries; sign up today and play at a good Sportsbooks site – every big brand has got them. This is the second largest sector for online gambling, although it looks about to change and may become an industry leader. Sports betting is certainly leading the way for mobile gaming today. Are you ready to put your money where your mouth is and test your skill? Now you can even do this from the palm of your hand, wherever you might be.

We know that slots are available at casinos online and they are favourite games. Sticking to the framework of regular gambling, other random games are popular too and we even have dedicated lottery sites. These allow lottery lovers to play lotto from all over the world – live in the UK and want to play the New York Powerball – no problem, check it out online. Bingo is a similar game to the lottery, being completely random, where winning is decided by balls, and this is also one of the largest and most popular sectors of the online gambling industry. Take your pick of which site to play at, again, all the big brands have got them, and boy you should see the prizes.

We also find combination sites which encompass all of these different games, so basically, any gambling you want, you will find it legally, as long as you aren’t a US player, and you will find it online.

By Jerry Whittaker

This line is often seen written on men’s room walls in casinos and while we can’t write it on the men’s room walls at casinos online, the same principle still applies. The good news is that playing at casinos online makes you no more susceptible to problem gambling than would playing at live casinos. Problem gambling seems to be a problem for governments, organizations and associations who don’t have a problem with gambling, they have a problem where the money generated from this industry goes. This subject comes up time and again and in a recent crackdown on US poker rooms by the Department of Justice; again, people who play at casinos online have had their morality questioned.

In terms of the legality of playing online poker or any other gambling game for that matter, the US citizen has once again been sidelined. The cheek of the US Government is such that they have said, they have “the right to place restrictions which were necessary to protect public morality”. Their argument in favor of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act, and obviously regarding American morality!

Many people believe that this is a protectionist law, even Phil Gordon who is a poker pro says that it is a complete travesty when a government legislates morality; when it is truly all in the name of money. At one time, when online poker was being played in the US but a felony in Washington State; he was compelled to travel from his home in Washington State to his office in Idaho in order to play. Now the Department of Justice is not tolerating any online poker in the US at all, accusing operators of “money laundering and fraud”, while land casinos still continue to serve up as much poker as they “morally” see fit.

Most experts in the US who are in favor of playing at casinos online, are in favor, not necessarily because they are gamblers, but because they see the duality of the situation. UIGEA is believed to have been promulgated for economic reasons alone – at the time that it was brought into law, it was a well known fact that major Las Vegas gambling concerns – Wynn and the Tribal casinos amongst others, with Harrah’s as the only exception; believed that online gambling would cannibalize their existing business. “It’s only a problem if you are losing” and this is how land gambling companies saw casinos online affecting their business, and what an almighty mess it is now?!

Barney Frank – U.S. Rep. (D-Mass.), and chairman of the House Financial Services Committee has been the most vocal advocate for casinos online, in particular online poker; he believes that the intolerance in terms of the free enterprise of this industry has been appalling. No-one should have the sense that they have the right to dictate other people’s lives. The arrogance of people in Government who say they know what’s best for you, is nothing short of dictatorial as far as I am concerned.