There are no drinks in an online casino, but if you're a wanna-be James (or
Jane) Bond, the thrill of the game -- and its potential pay-off could
still make you tipsy with excitement. Be warned, though, if the Web is
still in its Wild West phase, online gaming is definitely its rowdy
saloon -- complete with card sharks and gunfights. As you log on to
spin the ol' roulette wheel, there are a few things you should always
keep in mind:
Know the laws. The global nature of the Web makes assigning
legality difficult but that doesn't stop countries from doing it anyway.
There are a number of U.S. laws currently in the works and several that
are already on the books (the 1961 Wire Wager Act, for example). While
legislation is primarily focused on regulating the casinos themselves,
it's still in the gambler's best interest to make sure that all bets
are legal.
Verify the site's legitimacy. Yahoo alone lists over 500 gaming
sites in its directory from the small and shady to sites backed by time-honored
and established casinos. The sheer number of choices makes it difficult
to figure out who you're dealing with on the other end. There are a
few good ways to make sure that you've logged on to an above-board site.
One is to stick to the big names. The majority of bricks and mortar
casinos have ventured into the online world. Also, take a look at how
hard they're examining you. A good rule of thumb - the more questions
they ask, the better. Usually, the more they want to know, the more
careful and up front of an organization they are.
Love your debit card. Many sites offer several methods of payments
credit cards or e-trade-like debit systems are common. Just to be safe,
it?s a good idea to stick to the debit system. If nothing else, it?ll
help you curb those late-night trips to the computer
Stick to just for fun sites. If it really is the thrill of the
game and not the cash register's cha-ching that gets you going, consider
visiting some of the sites that offer games just for the fun of it.
Bricks and mortar heavyweights Harrah's Entertainment, Inc. and MGM
Mirage, Inc. have both recently announced plans to launch gambling sites
that don't accept wagers in the coming months. Plus, the sites will
award cash and other prizes making the pot that much sweeter.
Overall, being careful with online gambling isn?t a whole lot different
from acting responsibly when walking into a physical casino. Do your
homework, know your limits, and relax -- after all, this is supposed to
be fun.
And remember, even if you're home alone, you can still yell, Vegas,
baby, Vegas! as you boot up.
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