Gambling is a tradition that has existed since antiquity. Gambling online is still a new phenomenon, but it seems to be increasing in popularity each day. These facts are worth a closer look:

In August 1995, the first online casino was established. It is estimated that over 2,000 Internet gambling websites offer various wagering options including lotteries, sports betting, and casino games.

What is it about online casinos that so attracts gamblers to play? Maybe it's the simplicity of playing online. There are many advantages to not needing to go to a casino in order to gamble. Most notable is the fear of being intimidated. Online gambling allows players to enjoy a variety of games they might not have been able to access in a traditional casino.

It's then about the variety of games. Online casinos offer a wide variety of games. Online casinos have them all: poker, blackjack and roulette. Let's look at just a few:

Online poker is partly responsible for the dramatic increase in poker players all over the world. In 2005, online poker generated revenues of US$200 million each month.

Blackjack, also known by the names Pontoon or twenty-one, is one the most well-known casino card games. Because of its mix of skill and chance, blackjack is very popular. The public attention surrounding card counting has made it a hugely popular game. A slot machine's payoffs are usually determined by patterns of symbols on the machine's front. The modern computer technology has allowed for many variations of the slot machine idea.

You have the option to play whenever you want and save money. Online casinos can offer players free games because they have low staff costs. An online casino blackjack room is very different from a table at a casino in person. It can be intimidating to play in a high-end casino because of the speed and intimidation involved. Important decisions need to be made quickly. Home allows the player to play at their own pace and only when they feel ready.

Online gambling scams are unfortunately on the rise. There are many fake and fraudulent websites available online that can deceive you. Remember the three main elements of online gambling: consideration, prize, and chance. These three elements should always be present.

Online gambling is difficult to regulate. It is the industry that must guard itself from compulsive gamblers. It is very difficult to enforce this in the virtual universe. Customers can sit in their own living rooms, at any time and in any condition they choose. They can also gamble as much or as little as they wish.

It seems that caution is the only key. Gambling has always been controversial; online gambling is just another extension of this controversy.