When compared to a physical casino, Online Gambling is much more convenient. The online world is accessible anytime and anywhere, whereas driving to Las Vegas or visiting a local casino requires physical exertion. Online gambling also provides a constant source of income to online casinos. The vast majority of their operating income is generated by high rollers. It is therefore important to make sure you find a reputable online gambling website. However, be careful with unregulated websites because they can take advantage of you and your hard earned money.
When playing real money games, make sure to choose a gambling website that offers bonuses. Bonuses on online gambling websites usually range from five to twenty percent of your initial deposit. In exchange, you must wager that bonus amount two to three times to cash out. Some gambling sites also offer prize money for repeat customers. In either case, winnings are typically deposited into your online account or sent via certified mail. Online gambling sites also allow withdrawals by wire transfer.
Legalities of Online Gambling vary across different countries. In India, online gambling is prohibited in the state of Maharashtra under the “Bombay Wager Act.” Other Indian laws on online gambling are silent. Federal Information Technology Rules may prohibit illegal activities on online gambling websites. Public Gaming Act of 1867 may also regulate online gambling. Most states tend to operate on their own authority. Online gambling in Poland will be allowed only on sites with a license from the Polish Gaming Authority.
Although online gambling has its fair share of rogue operators, it is a mature industry. The laws have been enacted to protect consumers. Unauthorized casinos cannot offer their products wherever they like, and regulated online gambling is on its way to being a legitimate industry. Nonetheless, rogue operators still operate. In fact, rogue operators still operate on the Internet, as third-party review services take a cut from the conversions.
Antigua and Barbuda approached the World Trade Organization to get their online gambling laws overturned. The WTO subsequently convened a panel to investigate the U.S. laws on online gambling. The panel found that the United States violates its international trade agreements. Antigua and Barbuda’s lawsuit could be successful if the WTO rules favor online gambling. And, as we’ve seen, a case like Carruthers’ is far from over.
The Department of Justice recently launched an offensive against the online gambling industry. In November 2002, the Department of Justice sued the three largest online poker companies, including Pokerstars and 888.com. The case alleged violations of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act and money laundering. Neteller’s founders were charged with conspiracy in the United States. A decade later, the company stopped handling online gambling transactions. That case has resulted in a significant increase in the cost of online gambling for Americans.
In response to these laws, online gambling companies have sought alternative methods of payment. A number of online payment providers enable credit card users to deposit money to intermediary accounts, such as ECash and Neteller. Unlike online casinos, these online payment providers don’t track money from one customer to another. They also don’t disclose how much money they take from players. As a result, many players have decided to withdraw their funds through foreign private payment processors.