Compared to brick 'n mortar casinos, there are many advantages to gambling online at licensed and regulated online casinos. The following information is intended to help you make the most of these advantages while enjoying a safe and fun experience at online gambling sites.

A formidable, multi-billion dollar industry in its own right, the internet gambling sector has spawned several household name online casinos over the years, not to mention several lucky millionaires. While there are fair odds available on the internet and large jackpots to be won, the fact of the matter is that not every online casino holds the necessary credentials ensuring it is a safe and fair destination to wager online, and as such, should be played with caution.

The proper credentials you should always look for in a safe and fair online casino are its software platform and licensing and regulatory jurisdiction credentials. The top fairness certified software platforms are Real Time Gaming (RTG), Microgaming, Vegas Technology, Rival Gaming, Playtech, Top Game and Cryptologic. The leading certified regulatory jurisdictions are the UK, Gibraltar, Curacao (Netherlands, Antilles), Antigua, Isle of Man, Kahanawake and Alderney. Other than these factors, the best online casino sites are those that offer large incentive-based bonuses/promotions and outstanding customer service.

Top Online Casino Sites

1. Go Casino - powered by Vegas Technology software, Go Casino is widely regarded as the top casino online. Play free casino games or wager for the change to win real money.

2. Online Vegas - bring Las Vegas gambling action into your home at Onlinevegas.com. New players are welcome with a 100% match bonus up to $5,000 on their first deposit.

3. Rushmore Online Casino - this is the most popular casino powered by Realtime Gaming software. With 5 years of experience serving satisfied players and up to $888 free, Rushmore is a pretty safe bet.

The Pros of Online Casino Gambling

Convenience - The most obvious benefit of gambling at an online casino, as opposed to a brick 'n mortar casino, is the convenience factor. To anyone familiar with online casinos, it goes without saying that gambling online saves time, money and energy. Furthermore, making wagers from the convenience of one's home is conducive to smarter gambling. Instead of dealing with the intended distractions and tricks imposed by land-based casinos, i.e., flashy lights, dizzying sounds and lack of clocks, you can focus and concentrate on making strategic decisions while playing your favorite online casino games. There's no pressure from the dealer or other players hovering behind you. It's just you and the virtual online casino on the computer screen. It only takes seconds to download an online casino with a full repertoire of realistic games available at the click of a mouse. You can even bet on multiple games at once via separate playing windows.

Safety - Gambling at a certified online casino is just as safe as using your debit card to withdraw funds from an ATM; that is, of course, if you are gambling at an online casino with a certified software platform. The reason being is that all financial transactions are processed through the cashier services of the software platform itself. By using a minimum of 128-bit encryption to send transactions over the internet (the same technology used by the world's leading financial institutions), and Secure Socket Layer (SSL) firewalled servers to store private information, online casinos can guarantee your safety when opening a real money account.

Odds - It's no surprise that online casinos often provide better odds and payouts than land-based casinos. The reason being is that an online casino simply has lower overhead operating costs and can therefore afford to pay out more money. It's the same reason why you will find more free bonus money offers online than in a brick 'n mortar casino. Of course, ensuring that you are getting fair odds is contingent on once again gambling at an online casino with a fairness certified software platform and which is regulated by a reputable licensing jurisdiction. The most transparent online casinos, especially those that are eCOGRA certified, will publish third-party certified payout reports on a monthly basis. In terms of payout percentages, expect to find overall payouts at around 97% or more at the best online casinos.

Incentives - While it's true that most land-based casinos offer player loyalty programs and generous comps covering hotel stays, free meals and the like, you simply will not find the scope of free money bonus offers that are available at leading online casino sites. In addition to large welcome bonuses in the hundreds to thousands of dollars, online casinos offer player loyalty programs with VIP rewards. At a minimum, these include credit-redeemable comp points on every wager made, as well as monthly reload bonuses and surprise promotions and tournaments.

*Please note that all free cash bonuses come with wager requirements. Always read over the terms and conditions of any bonus before claiming it with an online casino.

Help for Problem Gamblers

http://www.ncpgambling.org

http://www.gamblersanonymous.org/

This page was updated on July 27, 2010.