Gambling has been with us since ancient times. Gambling online is a relatively new phenomenon and one that seems to be growing in popularity on a daily basis. Take a look at these facts:

The very first online gambling site was launched in August 1995. It’s currently estimated that you can find around 2,000 Internet gambling Websites offering various wagering options, including sports betting, casino games, lotteries and bingo.

Internet gambling revenue in 2005 was estimated at $11.9 billion and is projected to double by 2010, according to Christiansen Capital Advisors (CCA).

So what is it about the online casino phenomenon which has so enticed gamblers? Perhaps it really is the virtue of it simply being online. There are actually so many attractions to not having to attend a casino to gamble. The most prominent of these is the intimidation. Online gambling opens up a whole host of games to players who previously never had the courage or interest in observing tables in a land based casino.

Then it’s the choice of games. The number of games and their varieties online are astounding. Poker, blackjack, roulette or sports gambling, online casinos offer all of them. Lets take a look at a few of them:

Online poker has been partly answerable for a dramatic increase in the range of poker players worldwide. For the year of 2005, revenues from online poker were estimated at US$200 million per month.

Blackjack, better known as twenty-one or Pontoon, is just one of the best casino card games on the globe. Much of blackjack’s popularity is because of the mix of chance with aspects of skill, and also the publicity that surrounds card counting The good slot online machine typically pays off according to patterns of symbols visible on the front of the equipment when it stops. Modern computer technology has resulted in several variations on the slot machine concept.

The freedom of time and money are added attractions. The online casinos are relatively cost-effective to operate with regards to staff being paid, so they may be able to offer players free games. Entering a blackjack room within an online casino can be very different to approaching a blackjack table in a land based casino. The speed and intimidation can be high when playing in a ritzy casino. Crucial decisions are made quickly and also on the spot. At home, the player is able to slow down and play only when they are ready.