For decades gambling in the United States meant Las Vegas or Atlantic City. Thanks to the internet and new mobile technology gamblers can carry around their favorite casino games in their pockets. There are hundreds of online casinos and today poker, roulette, blackjack, slots and other casino games are only a click away. Throughout the global recession the online gambling industry maintained a high growth rate. In Great Britain online bingo is the fastest growing sector of the online gambling industry. When choosing an online casino players should exercise caution. There are plenty of online casinos but some industry experts say that as many as 50% may be less than reputable. A few gaming sites have been caught using software that they can manipulate and some have refused to pay big winners. Some will attach onerous wagering requirements to deposit bonuses.
By doing a little homework players can save themselves a lot of trouble. The first thing any player should look for is the jurisdiction where the site is licensed and located. Some licensing jurisdictions have very strict rules and regulations while others have a Wild West atmosphere. Reputable online casinos will have the licensing jurisdiction clearly posted on the home page. A quick Google search will help players determines if a site is licensed in a reputable jurisdiction. Online casinos licensed in countries that are members of the European Union must adhere to very strict standards. In addition the gaming software must be tested on a regular basis to make sure the gaming software cannot be manipulated or tampered with.
Most online casinos and online bingo sites offer new players what is known as a ‘welcome bonus.’ In most cases welcome bonuses are very generous and are usually based on a percentage of a first deposit. Players need to read and understand all of the terms and conditions associated with any bonus offers. Be sure to check the wagering requirements. Some sites have wagering requirements that make the bonuses worthless. At most online casinos players receive some sort of bonus for every deposit made.
In the not so distant past players at online casinos were required to download game software. For those with dial up connections this could take hours. Today most online gaming sites use flash technology and players have instant access to the games and no downloads are required. By doing a little homework players can be sure of a pleasant safe experience at online casinos.