Gambling has been with us since ancient times. Gambling online is a relatively new phenomenon and one that appears 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 there are well over 2,000 Internet gambling Web 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, in accordance with Christiansen Capital Advisors (CCA).

So what is it about the online casino phenomenon that has so enticed gamblers? Perhaps it’s the virtue of it simply being online. You can find a lot of 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 really is the choice of games. The number 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 few of them:

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

Blackjack, also referred to as twenty-one or Pontoon, is just one of the most popular casino card games in the world. Much of blackjack’s popularity is as a result of the blend of chance with aspects of skill, and also the publicity that surrounds card counting The slot machine typically pays off based upon patterns of symbols visible on the front of the machine when it stops. Modern computer technologies have resulted in several variations on the slot machine concept.

The freedom of time and expense are added attractions. The online casinos are relatively low-cost to operate with regard to staff being paid, so they’re 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 may 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 when they are ready.

Sadly, with such a growth in popularity has come many good online gambling site gambling hoaxes. Illegitimate and cheating sites are present on the net and may also be deceiving. The most significant things to remember when gambling online will be the three aspects 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 industry which has to protect itself from the dangers of compulsive gamblers. Within the virtual world, this is challenging to enforce. A customer is able to sit in their own living room, in what ever state they choose to be in and at what ever age and gamble around they desire.

Caution seems to be the only key. Gambling happens to be a controversial subject; gambling on the web is simply an extension of this controversy.