Online Gambling for Beginners
Everything you ever wanted to know about online gambling,
but didn’t know who to ask By J. Phillip Vogel
Since online gambling is the topic of the month, I thought
it would be beneficial to revisit the basics and discuss some
of the most important (and often confusing aspects) of the
industry. This includes finding a place to play, how to get
the most from your gaming site, and the current legal status
of online gambling in the U.S.
Let’s begin with a look at what to expect—and what
not to expect—from your first online gambling experience.
Online Gambling: What to expect
There’s a lot of hype surrounding online gambling. Some
say it’s the greatest thing to happen to the gambling
industry since the invention of the slot machine. Others are
strongly opposed to it and think the negatives far outweigh
any positives. You could make a case for either argument.
The fact is, online gambling is good for some players, but
not for others. I’m not talking about your level of luck
or skill, or even your computer competency (although these
factors do play a big part in the experience). What I’m
referring to is personal preference.
At its heart, online gambling is the same as traditional gambling.
These are games of chance (and in some cases, a degree of
skill), offering fluctuating risks and rewards, fixed and
variable odds, and the ability to wager and hopefully win
a bundle. But many players complain that online gambling lacks
the thrill of gambling in a traditional casino environment.
For some, a simulated game of blackjack on a computer screen
just doesn’t cut it. They want the real thing: the sensation
of holding cards, betting stacks of chips, interacting with
the dealer and their fellow players, and having a pretty waitress
to refill their drink. For a lot of players, gambling is basically
a form of entertainment—something you simply can’t
get in front of a computer monitor.
Yet online gambling presents its own array of perks that traditional
casinos can’t easily compete with. For starters, these
web sites regularly fork over free cash to anyone and everyone
that agrees to play. Some sites double or even triple your
starting bankroll just for agreeing to give them a shot, and
often compound these “free dollars” with re-load
bonuses and promotions geared towards returning players. These
financial incentives go way beyond what traditional casinos
give the average customer.
Online gambling also boasts limitless freedom and convenience.
You can gamble 24/7 without ever having to leave the house—or
even get dressed. (Just try walking onto a real casino floor
in just your underwear and socks.) Plus, there are never any
crowds, no money is spent on travel, and nobody’s ever
going to shoot you a dirty look for making a blunder.
More players are finding that what gambling online lacks in
ambience, it makes up for with safe, convenient fun, immediate
access to a vast selection of wagers, and little or no hassle
to speak of. If you’re strictly about the gamble, then
playing online might be right up your alley.
Booting Up: Tips For Getting Started
Before you give online gambling a whirl, there are steps you
should (and in some cases, must) take in order to ensure a
safe, problem-free playing experience.
Step 1. Equipment check
Online gambling requires that players have two things:
1) A computer or device that is able to download gaming software.
2) Access to the Internet.
While a higher-end computer and a fast Internet connection
(such as DSL, cable, satellite, or T1) might make the experience
smoother and faster, you don’t need the latest technology
to gamble online comfortably. However, if your system is more
than five years old, you’ll need to check to see if it’s
capable of handling the job. Most online gambling sites provide
a list of the minimum requirements needed to manage their
software, which can typically be found on the site’s
“Frequently Asked Questions” (FAQ) page and sometimes
on the “Download” page itself. It will look something
like this:
Minimum Requirements:
Windows XP/2000/98/95/NT
64 MB of RAM (Random Access Memory)
256 color VGA monitor
30 MB of Hard drive space
14.4 Kbps modem
In addition to these minimum requirements, you’ll also
need an Internet browser such as Microsoft Explorer or Netscape.
A browser is a program that is installed on your computer
and enables you to display web pages on your computer screen.
Modern computers come with browsers pre-installed, with Netscape
Navigator and Microsoft Internet Explorer being the two major
ones.
If order to use some online gaming sites, you might have to
download the latest version of your browser, since they’re
continually being upgraded and improved. You can download
these for free at the Microsoft and Netscape web sites.
Step 2. Finding the right site for you
Once your computer is ready for online gambling, the next
step is to find the right site. While finding gaming sites
is a no-brainer (run a search, and you’ll uncover thousands
instantly), it’s critical that you spend the necessary
time to find the site you’re most comfortable wagering
on.
Why all the fuss? One simple word: Safety.
Without question, the increased competition among sites, coupled
with greater player awareness, has made this once-questionable
industry drastically safer. But it’s still prudent to
take extra care, since no one wants to fall victim to an unscrupulous
company. After all, online gambling requires you to release
sensitive personal and financial information that.
So how do you go about finding good sites that are “right”
for you? Consider the following suggestions:
Search for information first, and a place to gamble last.
As you begin to explore online gambling, your first step shouldn’t
be finding a casino, sportsbook, or poker room. Instead, start
learning the basics of the industry so that you can identify
the major players (reputable sites) and those with a spotty
or poor reputation. Read Internet and magazine articles on
the topic. Even better, visit online forums and read up on
what gamblers have to say about the state of affairs—from
the great promotions some sites are offering, to the problems
they’ve encountered with others. For example, Gone Gambling
(www.gonegambling.com) and Got2Bet (www.got2bet.com) feature
terrific forums open to anybody interested in learning more,
or sharing their own knowledge.
Use every possible trusted resource. Once you have at a basic
understanding of the industry, start looking for the best,
most credible sites. Magazines are a good place to start—Casino
Player topping the list—but add reputable portals and
watchdog sites to that list. Sites like Casino Meister (www.casinomeister.com)
and CasinoWatchDogs.com (www.casinowatchdogs.com) provide
detailed lists and reviews of good and bad sites that can
be very helpful when selecting a place to play. A new portal/watchdog
site, TheOPN.com (www.theopn.com) also features an extensive
list of good and bad sites, a feedback forum for players,
basic industry information and tips on getting started online.
Look for the signs. After you’ve found a few sites that
look promising, it’s time to put them under the magnifying
glass and look for the telltale signs of quality. Are the
graphics and design appealing, or does it look like they assembled
it from bits and pieces of a half-dozen other sites? Do they
offer a wide selection of games and betting options, or just
enough to get by? Do they offer information about the company,
and if not, why not? Are they trying to hide something?
Your answers to these questions will help to determine if
the site is a worthwhile contender for your business, or a
fly-by-night operation. For some extra insight, call the site’s
customer services department with some basic questions to
see what kind of a response you get. If the associate is unable
to answer your questions—or even worse, there’s
no one to take your call—this is the level of service
you’re likely to receive should a real crisis arise.
Make sure it suits YOU. There are a lot of quality sites out
there; so many, in fact, that it can be difficult to choose
one. Once you’ve narrowed your options to two or three
sites, select the one that meets all of your gaming needs—including,
if possible, other games you might want to play in the future.
If you prefer blackjack, poker and occasionally sportsbetting,
pick the site that offers all three options, rather than opening
up several accounts at different sites. It’s better to
earn rewards, bonuses and VIP status on one site, than to
be an average player on three sites. And, it saves you the
hassle of having to go through the registration process multiple
times.
Step 3. Getting ready to play
Now that you’ve found the site you want to play on, the
next step is to install any necessary gambling software onto
your system. (Sportsbooks typically don’t require any
software, only an active, funded account.) This software is
the heart and soul of their online casino or poker room, as
it contains all of the information needed for you to gamble.
The software is always free of charge and accessible directly
from the site. Some sites will offer to send you a CD-ROM
containing the software if you prefer.
Although the majority of sites favor downloadable software,
there has been a steadily growing trend whereby sites offer
“software platforms” that allow users to skip the
download process. These platforms, called Java and Flash,
are designed to allow players almost immediate access to the
games. Players need only click on the appropriate link on
the site—it usually reads something like “Flash
Casino” or “No Download Casino”—and within
a few moments a fully functional casino is gracing your computer
screen. Unfortunately, these platforms sometimes sacrifice
realism for convenience, with the end result being a less-than-perfect
simulation. Many sites now offer players the option of either
downloading their software, or using their software platform
to go straight to the games.
Either way, it’s easy. For the downloadable software,
click the link that says “Download” and the computer
basically does the rest. For the other versions, simply choose
the appropriate Flash or Java option.
Step 4. Registration and banking
The final steps before you’re ready to gamble involve
registering and funding your account. To register, simply
fill out the registration form provided by the site after
the software has been installed. This form requires basic
personal information (name, address, etc.,) as well as a selected
user name and password so you can access your account.
After registering, many sites allow patrons to play for fun
(free) to test out the software and familiarize themselves
with online play. At any time, players may opt to play for
real simply by depositing funds into their account. To do
that, players need to visit the site’s cashier.
While banking options vary from site to site, the process
itself is almost universal. At the cashier, simply click on
the “Deposit” option, select one of the methods
(i.e. credit card, electronic check, pre-paid ATM, etc.),
choose an amount you wish to deposit, and transfer that amount
into your player account. Bear in mind that depending on your
selected method, initial deposits into an online gambling
account may require you to do a little bit more “paperwork.”
For example, you may want to open an account with an online
money transfer service such as NETeller or Firepay. In that
case, you’ll need to open an account with them first,
fund that account, and transfer those funds into your player
account. While this requires an extra step, it provides even
more protection for your sensitive financial information.
The deposit method that you choose will usually dictate how
quickly the site can verify your funds and approve you to
start gambling. This can range from instant approval to having
to wait several days. To give you some idea of what you can
expect from the different services, below is a sample cashier
page that explains the type of deposit methods available,
as well as how long you can expect to wait until the funds
will be available in your account.
Deposit Method Details
After you’ve finished playing and are ready to claim
your winnings—or whatever money you have left in your
account— simply visit the cashier once again and request
a cashout for a specific amount. Those funds will then be
processed and sent to you via your preferred method. Note,
however, that in some situations where deposits are approved
instantly, you may have to wait up to five business days to
receive any funds cashed out. For example, players who use
e-checks can deposit funds instantly (once they have verified
their bank account during the initial deposit procedures)
but any subsequent cashouts must wait for the deposited “check”
to clear before the funds will be released. This delay is
designed to prevent unscrupulous players from wagering with
funds that they really don’t have and stiffing the site
for any losses.
Maximize your online experience
If you follow the suggestions offered in this article, you
should be able to find a site which you feel comfortable playing
on. Once you’re there, just be sure to take full advantage
of the many unique features online gambling has to offer,
and remember certain rules such as…
Capitalize on comps. With all of the competition for players,
online gaming sites have made handing over large cash incentives
to both new and returning players the status quo. Take full
advantage of this trend by depositing suitable amounts for
your initial bankroll (just make sure you don’t go beyond
your normal limits), use deposit methods that generate additional
comps (some sites give you an extra 10% bonus for using NETeller,
FirePay, etc.,) and cash in on any monthly deposit bonuses
if offered. For example, Omni Casino (www.omnicasino.com)
offers all new players a $100 “New Player” bonus,
an additional $100 “Monthly bonus,” a $50 “Refer-a-Friend”
bonus, and a $15 “Vote for Us” bonus.
Use the “Free Play” feature. Even if you’re
an experienced gambler, test out the free versions of their
games before depositing any money. You may find you need to
adjust your style of play—or you may decide to not play
it at all.
Take your time when playing. Unlike in traditional casino
settings, you’re alone at a table (unless it’s multi-player
software). Feel free to take your time when making decisions.
And if you’re new to a certain game, for example blackjack,
place a copy of the basic strategy charts in front of you
as you play to ensure that you make the best choices possible.
Join the VIP program. Most sites offer a VIP program for all
of their players regardless of how much they play, as long
as they sign up for it. Make sure that you do. These programs
can earn you some nice cash, as well as prizes like luxury
cars and dream vacations. The Sands of the Caribbean Casino
(www.carsands.com) offers one of the best VIP programs online,
allowing players to cash in for casino chips, travel packages
and valuable merchandise.
Sign-up for everything. Some gaming sites offer their patrons
weekly or monthly e-newsletters and magazines. Get ‘em.
They often contain special promotions and bonus offers as
well as news about upcoming events, like tournaments. Trident
Lounge Casino (www.tridentlounge.com) offers a terrific newsletter
that’s chock full of information and other goodies suited
to gamblers including new bonus offers and promotions, profiles
of top gaming portals, tips for responsible gaming and industry
news.
Check the payouts. Reputable gaming sites love to post their
monthly payout percentages to show how good their games are.
Pay attention to them. Review them every month to see what
games and sites are paying out the best, and which ones to
avoid.
These are just a few of the special features inherent to online
gambling that you should learn to make full use of. While
they might not make you rich—in the end, it’s still
a gamble—they will give your bankroll a boost and add
hours of fun and excitement to your play.
Questionable legality
We’d be remiss not to mention the legal issues surrounding
online gambling. Within the U.S. it’s still a much-debated
topic, with a lot of questions surrounding its legality.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, online gambling
violates the Federal Wire Wager act, which makes it illegal
to operate a betting or wagering business using telephone
lines or other wire communication facility. In other words,
in the U.S. it’s forbidden to own and operate such a
site, or for a company outside of the U.S. to solicit bettors
within the U.S.—even if the company is legal within their
country of origin.
But the real question here isn’t whether U.S. gamblers
can legally run an online casino; it’s whether they can
legally gamble in one. And that’s the gray area. Some
officials contend that it's against the law for anyone to
wager over the Internet or telephone. Others say that it’s
only illegal when the company itself is based on U.S. soil,
which is why so many gambling sites and sportsbooks operate
offshore in places such as the Caribbean and Latin America.
So what’s the bottom line?
Is it against the law to gamble online? At present, there
is no definitive answer that will satisfy everyone. In Washington
State, for example, it is “… a gross misdemeanor
to knowingly transmit or receive wagers, betting odds and
any other gambling information intended to be used in any
kind of unauthorized gambling activity, such as bookmaking.”
Nevada, on the other hand, recently passed a bill that allows
limited wireless gaming in licensed casinos throughout the
state, thereby “allowing casino patrons to use PDA’s
or similar devices for gambling purposes.” To make matters
even more confusing, many states have adopted a “wait
and see” attitude towards the subject pending the results
of future legislation.
The best advice we can give at this point concerning the legality
of online gambling within the U.S. is for the player to check
their state’s guidelines. Several gambling portals and
information sites provide these answers, such as Gambling
and the Law (www.gamblingandthelaw.com)
and Gambling Law US www.gambling-law-us.com.
You can also track down this information directly by visiting
your state’s web site (i.e. www.nj.gov),
which will feature the most up-to-date and relevant rulings
on the subject.
Taking the Final Step
Online gambling is not for everyone. While it does offer many
of the same thrills as traditional gambling, as well as a
host of perks such as hefty comps and unbeatable convenience,
for many gamblers it just doesn’t quite cut it. They
feel that no matter how realistic the games appear, or how
seamlessly the dice roll or the cards turn, it’s still
only a simulation.
But others feel that online gambling is a godsend, a way to
reach the tables or play the slots without having to waste
precious time or money just getting to the casino. There’s
no traffic to deal with, no throngs of other players vying
for a seat, and none of the smoke, noisy slot machines or
other distractions.
Now that you’ve at least learned the basics, it’s
left to you to decide online gambling’s true value. Bear
in mind what we’ve discussed here, visit the gaming portals
and forums, and thoroughly examine the sites that appeal to
you, should you decide to play. And don’t forget to verify
that it’s legal where you live!
J. Phillip Vogel is an expert in online gambling and the
Editor-in-Chief for Casino.com.
His next book The Internet Gambling Companion will be available
in April 2006
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