Online Casino Gambling

Online gambling has exploded into popularity, but just like everything related to internet and World Wide Web, this industry is vulnerable to a wide variety of security threats.  There is an alarming number of online criminals who are out on the hunt for that easy payday.  Those who participate in online gaming need to be very cautious for the fact that it calls for transferring money over the internet and interacting with various types of software.  The major threats to online gambling discussed in this article are adware, spyware and phishing.

Ad-firing, Snooping Malware

Two of the most common forms of malicious software, adware and spyware are quite similar but there is a notable difference.  In general, adware programs are designed to merely display advertisements on your computer screen.  Spyware often does the same but mainly seeks to spy on your computing patterns and transmit that data to remote sources.  While the presence of such programs could result in subtle annoyances and degraded system performance, they can also lead to much bigger problems that render your PC inoperable or put your identify in grave jeopardy.  So, what do these malicious programs have to do with your online gaming endeavors?  Well, when doing business with an internet casino site, you are essentially running the risk of downloading something that appears to be a gaming platform, but is indeed a dangerous program with the intent to harm you or your computer.

Phishing Traps

Phishing has become one of the most common and detrimental threats to internet users.  The term describes a scam where you receive a seemingly legitimate email from a company you have some sort of relationship with.  Well known companies used as phishing bait have included names such as eBay, PayPal and Washington Mutual.  When opening the message, you will typically find that the sender is asking you to click a provided link and enter your details on a website.  The tone of the email is usually one of urgency, a ploy used to persuade you into acting fast and handing over your sensitive information.  The trick is that when clicking on the link, you will be directed to a rogue website that looks just like the site of the company the scam artist is purporting.

Recognition and Protection

Although recognizing these threats can be difficult, there is a way to protect yourself.  You can start by purchasing and installing a reliable anti-virus software program on your computer.  Remember to invest in a solution that protects against viruses and other forms of malware such as adware, spyware and Trojan horses.  In regard to phishing, you should know that legitimate companies like eBay or PayPal will never approach you in such a manner.  They will never suggest that you submit sensitive details over the insecure email system.  The best way to elude phishing scams is to never click on any link in a suspicious email or avoid the message entirely.  If you didn’t initiate the contact, it is probably a sign that a scam artist is trying to bait you into a trap.

The online gambling industry has been able to garner the attention of gamblers across the world.  No longer do players have to deal with the hustle and bustle of land-based casinos as they can bring the action right into their homes.  Thanks to the power of the internet, gambling fanatics now have an assortment of the most popular casino games at their fingertips.  While online gambling can be both exciting and prosperous, one of the most important factors a player must consider before making a wager is whether or not the casino is safe for playing.  It doesn’t matter if you are a novice or an expert, it is an absolute must that you put an emphasis on safety and security.

Schemes and Scandals are Abound

First and foremost, you should know that a large number of illegal gambling sites exist out in cyberspace.  The global reach of the internet and World Wide Web create a rather larger scope for fraudulent practices.  Because so many of these sites are created and run in other countries, the casino operators are often exempt from legal punishment by U.S. authorities, pretty much giving these fraudsters the green light to manipulate and compromise unknowing players.  With that said, it should at least be good to know that these illegal sites usually don’t last long.  If you do your research, you will find that several illicit online casinos have been exposed and shut down by the authorities in their respective jurisdictions.

Ensuring Security and Fair Play

There are a few solutions providers that have developed concepts to better assure integrity and security in the market of online casino gambling.   The OGA (Online Gambling Association) is one such body dedicated to ensuring the safety and security of players looking to gamble at online casinos.  This regulatory body performs regular checks to make sure internet casino sites are providing adequate levels of security to their customers and keeping them from engaging in illegal activities.  There are also organizations who have committed themselves to ensuring fairness.  Because this is such a major issue in the online gambling business, it is critical that you keep a casino’s payoff percentage in mind.  If the payout percentage is considerably low, it could be a sign that the online casino operator is not paying out its players the appropriate amount of winnings.  This is actually defeating the purpose of gambling and only adding to the casino’s wealth in the end. The eCOGRA (e-Commerce Online Gaming Regulation and Assurance) is an organization leading the charge in making sure players are getting their fair share at the virtual jackpot.

Secure a Safe Environment

If you really want a chance to win and truly enjoy the online gaming experience, it is imperative that you seek out nothing less than a secure casino site.  Separating the contenders from pretenders can be difficult as a newbie, so it is advisable that you conduct extensive research to find yourself a reputable site.  In an industry that has been littered with so many scams and sharks, reputation is everything.  The researching process can prove to be a very tedious undertaking but when landing yourself that highly secure, dream casino, you will be glad that you put forth the effort.

The legalities revolving around gambling in Europe have always been sketchy at best.  The struggle for power positions between EU decision makers has resulted in much confusion  regarding laws and regulations.  Despite all the chaos, online gambling in Europe has taken off considerably since its inception and continues to flourish.

Laying the Ground Work

The first major step Europe took towards online gambling was the establishment of Boss Media AB, a Swedish software company.  Founded in 1996, its original intent was to only operate Gold Club Casino.  However, following the success of the initial launch, the company was met with several offers from interested industry affiliates.  In what seemed like no time, Boss Media became a major player in the internet casino industry, becoming listed on the Stockholm Stock Exchange in 1999 and a member of the World Lottery Association in 2002.  To the current day, Boss Media AB delivers online gaming solutions to some of the most renown organizations in the industry, including Bwin and SportingBet.

Source of Confusion

The relative success brought forth by Boss Media occurred right in the middle of a long and intense battle among EU members as they tried to define the regulations and limitations of internet gambling.  Various European countries adopted three main approaches toward the issue.  France, Italy, Spain, Belgium, Germany and other countries in Traditional Western Europe, originally planned to restrict and at first, completely prohibit online gambling.  The more liberal countries such a the United Kingdom, Scandinavia and The Netherlands especially, made attempts to establish a safe and regulated online gambling environment for their citizens.  Smaller EU jurisdictions such as Alderney, Lichtenstein, Gibraltar and Isle of Man took a more open and tolerant approach to online gambling, a move that was done to attract new business.

The inconsistency in these approaches between European countries has formed the core for most of the confusion.  Some countries allow the operation of online gaming in their territory but prohibit operators from servicing residents in that area.  Others have monopoly over the gaming industry in their territory, refusing to open borders to international countries and European localities as well.  Until a single standard is established by the European High Courts of Justice, there will always be loopholes in the law and mass confusion will continue to exist.

Attack on the U.S.

In December of 2007, a number of major EA online casino operators teamed up against the United States over what they deemed to be discriminatory practices.  They claimed that the UIGEA was in violation of international trade law and thus, should be replaced with a more efficient regulated online gambling system instead.  This proposed concept is quite similar to the current legislation spearheaded by U.S. state representatives such as Barny Frank.  Europe’s joint forces sparked global rage, leading to other countries such as Australia and Canada joining to aid in the battle for legal internet gambling.  Rather than changing its legislation, it is reported that the U.S. simply settled the case by compensating each country.

As it stands now, the state of internet gambling in Europe remains in utter shambles.  Ironically, that has not halted the explosion of popular casino games like poker and online bingo from emerging on the market.

A large number of the more popular online gambling sites have community forums. These forums are often quite useful as they contain vital information about online casino games, policies and other details you may want to make yourself familiar with. They provide a medium for players to interact with each other, share personal experiences and ask questions on a variety of related topics. After a while, these community forums become filled with tons of information that can prove valuable for the new player. At the same time, it is wise to make yourself familiar with the pros and cons of these outlets before instilling your faith in them.

The Good Side

Perhaps the greatest advantage of online casino forums is the actual community members. The posts you see are generally penned by the players opposed to someone who works with the casino, increasing the probability of getting unbiased feedback. This isn’t the case with some of the testimonials you encounter, especially when they are doing nothing but praising the casino. Wen participating in an online casino forum however, you are more likely to be dealing with regular players just like yourself.

The Bad Side

On the other hand, you can’t always take the comments of fellow community members at face value. For example, some of the content you run across is so negative that you can often tell that it was crafted by disgruntled players. In some instances, the issues these players have are genuine and they simply want to warn to others about shady casino practices. However, these forums are frequented by players who have more unscrupulous intentions. These could be players who have been caught abusing bonuses and penalized by a particular casino. Such characters have been known to post malicious entries stating how they have been defrauded or treated unfairly.

Are There Any Real Benefits?

Because of the all the treachery, one could say the actual benefits of online casino forums are questionable. After all, if you can’t rely on the community of the casino in which you play at, who can you trust? The answer is that you need to focus on being a discerning reader, rather than a casual reader. Once you get familiar with the board, it will be much easier for you to distinguish legitimate postings from those simply blowing smoke. Real posts generally deliver detailed facts in a transparent manner and rarely give off an angry tone. Someone who is in the wrong will attempt to twist the truth and may even use foul language to influence the user community. With a little practice, you will be able to see through their rants and tell if they are being honest.

The truth is that online casino forums are quite useful. The key is taking them for what they are worth and knowing how to deal with them. If you run into some postings you aren’t sure about, cross check the information with other sources. This can be done easily because if the issue is true, others are sure to be talking about on the web.

When it comes to online gambling, there are several ways in which players can carry out their transactions.  One of the most popular methods is provided by online services commonly referred to as eWallets.  Because each service has its advantages and disadvantages, it is wise for every player to choose wisely and base their decision on his or her individual needs.  To ensure that you know what is available, we will overview some of the most common options on the market.

NetSeller

NetSeller is an online payment service that provides an easy and convenient way for people to move money outside of the states.  It is available in most countries with the exception of Canada, Turkey and the United States.  Although it doesn’t operate in the United States and Canada, the service does handle U.S. and Canadian currency as well as British pounds, euros and Swiss francs.  The service is accepted by most online casinos and usually allows you to withdraw funds within 48 hours.  Before being discontinued to players in the state, NetSeller was among the most popular options for U.S.-based players.

Click2Pay

Click2Pay operates in virtually all countries, handling U.S. and Canadian dollars, British pounds, euros and Swiss francs.  The minimum deposit in U.S., Canadian, euros and Swiss dollars is 20 units while the minimum deposit for British pounds is 10 units.  This service makes it easy to withdraw funds and requires that you wait up to 48 hours for a withdrawal.  Unlike most eWallets, there is no need to fund your account with Click2Pay.  All you have to do is add a credit or debit card and the funds can be transmitted from and to your account.

ClickandBuy

The ClickandBuy payment service operates in most countries with the exception of the United States.  The currencies it handles are U.S. and Canadian dollars, British pounds, euros and Swiss francs.  ClickandBuy is a favorite among online gamblers for its sheer flexibility and ease of use.  Not only does the service make a viable option for online gambling, but for various other personal or business purposes as well.

Moneybookers

Moneybookers is another popular option for players outside of the U.S.  This service is available in most countries with the exception of the United States, China, Israel, Malaysia and Turkey.  The currencies it handles are U.S. and Canadian dollars, British pounds, euros and Swiss Francs.   Moneybookers is loved by both online casinos and players because of its efficiency.  The service also comes with excellent support and great security.

As you can see, most eWallets are country and currency specific.  For this reason, you should be sure to choose your service accordingly.  Although some like Click2Pay have minimal deposit requirements, this shouldn’t reflect much on your overall decision.  The most important factor is whether or not the service allows withdrawals and if so, the time frame in which the money will be in your account.  While the information in this article is current, we still recommend that you check with the individual services for more comprehensive details when basing your decision.

If you are intrigued by the concept of online gambling but have yet to place a wager, it is probably because you are a little uncertain about gambling on the internet.  This is certainly understandable if you are familiar with all the horror stories associated with scams and shady practices.  If you want to indulge in the web-based casino experience but aren’t quite sure, why not take things slow with a test drive?  View it like the new car you’re interested in but would prefer to see how it handles first.  This article will explain why it only makes since to give these virtual casinos a test spin before making a down payment.

Affordable and Pressure Free

The online casino industry has become a dominant force over the years.  Run by gaming experts, these companies have introduced all the popular games from land-based casinos along with a few new ones to an enthusiastic market of new players.  You too can experience this world and taking a test run is perhaps the best way to start.  Just as when you hit the Vegas strip, online gambling calls for you to enter the casino with your bankroll intact.  When you find a casino that will allow you to test out the service, you won’t have to worry about making any deposits and can play all of your favorite games for free.

Invaluable Skill Sharpening

There are a number of online casinos that cater to newcomers with a nice selection of free games.  By taking the casino games for a test drive, you also get to feel out the gaming software.  Online casinos are driven by these platforms, thus, getting familiar with the software is a must.  This will give you a chance to learn all the features and controls you need to become a good player.  By the time you’re ready for live online play, you’ll be quicker on the draw and know how to react in pressure situations.  Many players have found that this makes a great way to hone skills in various casino games.  If you step into a highly competitive room unprepared, you could be throwing money right out the window.

Incentives and Convenience

Although nothing beats the experience of a real casino, many players actually prefer the online version.  This is because internet casinos have been known to present generous offerings and a number of live services that enhance game play.  Incentives like bonuses, weekly promotions and the allure of progressive jackpots have helped to shape the market and reel in new customers.   The other benefits are based purely on convenience.  It is very comforting to know that you can sit at home in front of your PC without all the noise, smoke and tension that comes along with traditional casinos.  After finding yourself a good site, you are sure to have plenty of fun and opportunities to come out a winner.

All it takes is a few clicks to enter the realm of online gambling.  You will then have your shot at blackjack, craps, poker, roulette and all the casino classics.  The jackpot is yours for the taking so get out there, take a test drive and put your best foot forward.