Gambling Online
Online gambling is a general term for gambling using the Internet. This article provides a brief introduction to some of the forms of online gambling, as well as discussing general issues.
Online poker
Online poker tables commonly offer Texas hold ‘em, Omaha, Seven-card stud, razz and other game types in both tournament and ring game structures. Players play against each other rather than the “house”, with the card room making its money through “rake” and through tournament fees.
Online casinos
There are a large number of online casinos, in which people can play casino games such as roulette, blackjack, pachinko, baccarat and many others. These games are played against the “house”, which makes money due to the fact that the odds are in its favor.
Online sports betting
Bookmakers and betting exchanges offer fixed-odds gambling over the Internet on the results of sporting events.
Online bingo
There are a number of online bingo rooms offering games on the Internet.
Mobile gambling
Developments in the use of wireless, mobile devices to gamble follow in the wake of mainstream online gambling.
Funds transfers
Typically, gamblers upload funds to the online gambling company, make bets or play the games that it offers, and then cash out any winnings. European gamblers can often fund gambling accounts by credit card or debit card, and cash out winnings directly back to the card. However, most US banks prohibit the use of their cards for the purpose of internet gambling, and attempts by Americans to use credit cards at internet gambling sites are usually rejected. A number of electronic money services offer accounts with which online gambling can be funded. However, many top fund-transfer sites such as FirePay, Neteller & Moneybookers have discontinued service for U.S. residents.
Payment by check and wire transfer is also common.
Problem gambling
In the United States in 1999 the National Gambling Impact Study stated “the high-speed instant gratification of Internet games and the high level of privacy they offer may exacerbate problem and pathological gambling”. A UK government-funded review of previous research noted a small scale patient survey leading to press reports claiming that 75% of people who gamble online are “problem” or “pathological” gamblers, compared to just 20% of people who visit legitimate land-based casinos.
A study by the UK Gambling Commission, the “British Gambling Prevalence Survey 2007″, found that approximately 0.6% of the adult population had problem gambling issues, the same percentage as in 1999. The highest prevalence of problem gambling was found among those who participated in spread betting (14.7%), fixed odds betting terminals (11.2%) and betting exchanges (9.8%). Additionally the report noted a 4% drop in overall gambling in the prior year, from a rate of 62% in 1999 to 58% in 2007. Significantly the 2007 prevalence survey combined with the 1999 prevalence survey suggest that despite the rapid growth of Internet gambling there has been no associated increase in the number of problem gamblers.
