|
Introduction
If you have never gambled online you are probably
bewildered by how to get started. Online gambling is still a very
young industry and as such the test of time has yet to root out
many of the less reputable casinos. The good and the bad are still
fiercely elbowing each other for market share. So choose where
to play carefully. You are probably also wondering if the games
are fixed. At one point I said emphatically not. On average the
casinos keep about 75% of money deposited so they shouldn't need
to cheat. However I have heard complaint after complaint of extremely
bad luck from playing at some non-licensed casinos that use no-name
Java software. I do believe that the vast majority of online casinos
play fair but am suspicious of a small minority. As you hop from
one web site to another of the online casinos it may seem arbitrary
about choosing one to play at. Let me help by saying that quality
counts. Take a close look at their web site or the free games.
If they seem like a professional organization chances are better
that they are. Finally trust your gut. If you get a bad feeling
about a place then resist playing there, even if you can't explain
to yourself the exact reason.
The Basics of Playing
There are two ways you can go in terms of actually
gambling online, Java and downloadable software. Java offers almost
immediately playing but downloadable software offers better sound
and graphics. Personally I find downloadable software to be much
more enjoyable and faster but I respect the opinion of those who
prefer Java. About half of the casinos with downloadable software
also offer a free CD version. Once you have the software installed
(unless with a Java based casino) the next step is to open an
account. This is sometimes done on the casino web site and sometimes
through the software. Then you must put some into your account.
The vast majority of the time this is done with a credit (or debit)
card. Other options include Western Union and bank wire transfers
but both of these necessitate substantial fees, which many online
casinos will credit back to your account. Beware that some credit
cards will treat deposits to an online casino as a cash advance.
If this happens then you may have success in arguing the charge
but many credit cards have a flat policy that a purchase of casino
chips counts as a cash advance. I recommend using debit cards
instead, there is never a cash advance fee and the transactions
are posted faster.
Once you have money in your account you may then
begin to play. Be sure to check the rules first, many online casinos
favor European rules which can be different that U.S. rules. This
can be good or bad depending on the particular rule. As you play
I would suggest documenting everything you do. Personally I use
graph paper to keep a running track of my bankroll and the total
amount bet.
If you plan to return in the near future do not cash
out, just leave your money in your account. When you do cash out
the chips will be converted to cash and credited back to your
credit card, up to the amount of the initial purchase. If you
have a net win then the winnings will have to be sent another
way, usually by check. Most places will send winnings for free
but others will subtract a finance charge.
The Pros and Cons of Online Casino Gambling
There can be no debate that online gambling is a
lot different than gambling in a physical casino. In some ways
it is better and in some ways it is worse. Below are my pros and
cons of online gambling, based on my personal experiences, compared
to gambling in a "real" casino.
The Pros
- Online gambling is a competitive business and many casinos
will offer a lot to get and keep your business. Many will offer
sign-up bonuses to new customers, adding 10 to 50% of their
initial deposit to their bankroll (see below for more on this
subject). Some will randomly deposit money in customer accounts
and others will give away vacations for specified levels of
total money bet.
- The rules are usually better than in physical casinos.
- You don't have to travel long distances. The casino is in
your own home.
- You don't have to suffer real casino annoyances, like smokers.
- You don't have to feel obligated to tip.
The Cons
- You have to be patient about getting your money after you
cash out. In addition to waiting periods on the casino end there
are also delays on the credit card end. Two to four weeks is
the norm for the time between cashing out and your credit appearing
back on your credit card. Debit cards are much faster taking
only about 3 to 5 business days.
- Customer service can be spotty depending on where you play.
Some places offer great service via e-mail and a toll-free number.
Others take several days to reply to an e-mail, have no known
telephone number, and generally seem like they just don't want
to be bothered aside from taking your money.
- The player has no power or authority to turn to in the event
of a dispute. Usually in the player agreement it says the casino
can make up the rules as they go and in the event of a dispute
the casino's word is final.
- If you play at a lot of places your credit/debit card statement
will be a nightmare to balance. Transactions seldom indicate
the name of the casino you played at but instead specify the
merchant bank.
What is Expected of the Player
One of the biggest problems facing the online gambling
business is abuse by players. At the annual industry meeting in
Montreal there was just as much, if not more, discussion about
this issue than the future legality of online gambling. This is
a very legitimate concern because there are a lot of people seeking
to defraud the industry.
Although online gambling is a very competitive business
when it comes to player abuse the industry feels so strongly that
the online casinos help to protect each other. Specifically negative
databases, or blacklists, of players suspected of fraud or abuse
are shared among the online casinos. According to Julie Sidwell
of 'Gambling Grumbles' the typical reasons for being blacklisted
are:
- Disputing charges
- Threatening to dispute charges
- Using someone else's credit card
- Manipulation of gaming software
- Opening more than one account per household or computer
Of these disputing and threatening to dispute charges
are the biggest problem the industry faces. The industry term
for this is a charge back. This will get a player blacklisted
very quickly. Multiple accounts per household or computer I believe
is only frowned on if multiple bonuses are given to the same household
or same e-mail address. In addition Julie Sidwell says that at
least two negative databases track bonus abusers, or player who
only play during bonus promotions.
Once the player is on the blacklist they will likely
be unwelcome at every casino that the list is shared with. It
is like a bad credit rating or a police record, it follows you
wherever you go. Placement on a blacklist is not always justified
and once on it there is no authority to appeal to for removal.
Doing business in the unregulated world of the Internet
is risky for both player and casino. For this reason there seems
to be an unwritten code of honor expected of players. Players
do not have the liberty of parsing the rules in a legalistic manner
and doing whatever they please that is not listed as prohibited
behavior. In the absence of a higher authority to regulate the
business, players are held accountable to an implied good faith
contract. Remaining above reproach and avoiding any appearance
of questionable behavior is important for longevity as a player.
Playing for Bonuses
To attract your business many casinos will add a
bonus to your initial deposit, usually 10% but I have seen it
go as high as 100%. When you accept a bonus you are usually required
to meet a certain level of betting action to cash out the bonus.
I have seen the total amount bet required range from the amount
of the bonus to six times the sum of the deposit and the bonus.
Read the rules carefully before you start playing. After opening
an account wait at least 15 minutes for any welcome e-mail to
come in. Sometimes this e-mail will indicate different rules than
what the web site says about earning a bonus. Assume that you
have to meet the more stringent of the conditions. Regardless
of what the rules are you should more than exceed them. If pressed
for specifics I would say play at least 50% more than required
but 100% or more is better. Some online casinos claim and exercise
the right to deny bonuses to customers they feel are only it is
for the bonus, as opposed to the enjoyment of the casino. Finally
I would be suspicious of casinos that you have never opened an
account with who send unsolicited bonus offers.
Choosing Where to Play
There are a lot of online casinos to choose from,
about 400 they say, and to the beginner it may seem confusing
telling them apart. Some important things to consider are:
- Is there a sign-up bonus? If so how much?
- How are the rules? This can vary a lot in games like blackjack
and video poker.
- Are there transaction fees? If so how much?
- Is there a phone number you can call? Is it toll free? If
you call is the line busy?
- Is the casino licensed?
- Is there information available about who owns and operates
the casino?
- Who provides the software, is it a reliable name or some mystery
no-name company.
Do not expect any casino to score an A+ in all these
categories. Consider the total package and use your best judgement.
|
