Is Online Gambling Evil? The truth behind the entertaining graphics and appealing offers

Gambling, whether we like to admit it or not, is a taboo subject. There are many people who enjoy playing but feel embarrassed to share this passion with others. As I researched this topic from various points of view (legal aspects, popular games, the transition from brick and mortar to online casinos, addiction and so on), I may say that there are many hypothesis coming from people who have nothing to do with this world but still put betting into the gray area. This is why I feel that it is mandatory to shed light on this topic and refer to wagering as a pastime activity.

The rich legacy of gambling

If we were to go back in time and analyze the roots of gambling, it is worth mentioning that the first civilizations used it as a source of entertainment. Spartans and Romans played a rudimental form of roulette and placed bets on the guesses they made. In China, dice was extremely popular and was even used in situations where territories needed to be divided.

Early gambling represented an interesting mix of fun, and a means to let the divinity decide the future. Furthermore, it is even mentioned in many religious texts as a way to divide lots. Call it a coincidence or not, it became a highly discussed subject in no time as it was blamed by most religious entities and adored by the nobility.

Another interesting aspect that is worth mentioning is that tough the traditional casino games were developed in different parts of the worlds, they managed to cover the entire Globe quickly. Keno, for example, was invented in China, blackjack and roulette in Europe, while Slots were developed in the United States. And all were incorporated in the brick and mortar casinos that appeared somewhere around the 1600s. It’s quite fascinating to see how this source of entertaining was embraced by different cultures and the power of word-of-mouth in its spectacular spreading.

Another important event in the history of gambling is the evolution of casinos. The very first city popular for its gambling establishments was Venice. Known as a world of luxury and entertainment, is no surprise that gambling soon found its place among the wealthy royalty. The Ridotto was a real blast in 1963, and the services it provided were very much similar to what we can see today. In the 1800s, Monaco became famous for its Monte Carlo, a casino that honors Prince Charles and that continues to enchant visitors from all over the world even today. Las Vegas started its gambling journey in 1931 and nowadays is famous for its luxurious casinos and numerous entertaining opportunities.

As accessibility is a must in present times, it did not take long for the gambling industry to move online. There are numerous providers that rely on the latest software to offer their members a realistic and appealing experience. Their most important advantages are the rich selection of games and appealing bonuses that can be enjoyed from the comfort of home.

Testing your luck in 2016

Nowadays gambling is represented by online casinos. These virtual providers managed to take this leisure activity to a whole different level. They grant access to hundreds of games with low stakes and appealing bonuses. Furthermore, the main focus is on the entertaining part rather than on playing just for the winnings. That’s why, from my point of view, this evolution of the industry lead to a whole new breed of gamblers: more responsible and with a clear purpose of having fun and relaxing. People know what they want and are ready to search for as long as it takes to get it. As a result, online casinos need to meet their desires to be competitive and to attract players.

The profile of a gambler, just like this whole industry, evolved throughout the years. Unfortunately, there is one thing that is constantly associated with it; that is the addiction. One of the reasons that lead to this negative approach is the link between massive losses and casino games that define important historical events. However, this is definitely not the suitable word to define this pastime activity. Though I am not a gambler myself, the fact that I write about this topic helped me understand this hobby and how it is perceived nowadays. There are several aspects that need to be revealed concerning the online gambling world.

The 3 Major Types of Games

From my point of view, all the games of chance, whether we are talking about bingo, poker, sports betting or slots, have one thing in common — luck. I find it extremely important to put emphasis on this aspect because it represents the true important element that defines the evolution of a gambling session. No matter how good you may be, there are good days and bad day so a smart player knows when to stop.

Besides this one thing that they have in common, gambling games also come with different particularities. According to the complexity of the rules, some require practice, while others need training. This is why I would classify gambling games into three types:

· games that require no strategy, only a lucky guess: like slots and roulette;

· games that require strategy and a bit of psychology: like poker and blackjack;

· games that require a passion for sports and tactics: like sports betting and fantasy football.

One of the major advantages of online gambling establishments is their complexity. Players can find everything they need with few mouse clicks. This is why I strongly advise people to check the rules of the games on a regular basis before placing a bet. There are many interesting things to discover that can lead to a successful result, including the best odds or the most profitable jackpots.

Slots and roulette are among the top choices because they are very easy to play. From my point of view, they are the best entertaining variant after a long and stressful day at work. For both of them, there is nothing you can do after you press the spin button as the result relies exclusively on luck. However, there are aspects that must not be neglected, like the odds and the betting amount. While sometimes it is a good idea to go for the highest bet to hit the jackpot, I recommend sticking to modest bets for safe and constant winnings.

Poker and blackjack are games that come in different variations, each with its own set of rules. They are more intense as the evolution of the hand depends not only on luck but also on your betting capabilities. In brief words, you need a lot of practice before you can predict a winning combination, but fortunately, most online casinos grant access to demo games that can be enjoyed without spending a dime.

Sports enthusiasts can turn their hobby into a profitable business with sports betting and fantasy football. The secret is to remain impartial, even if you have a favorite team. If you are unable to admit that they will not win all the matches or that the other team is favorite in certain situations, then it is a smart idea to stay away from wagering on that particular sport because you will lose rather than win. The same rule applies to building a fantasy team. Furthermore, the more you know and read about a particular sport, the higher the chances of winning are.

What Online Casinos really offer

Maybe one of the most crucial aspects that can define a successful online gambling experience is picking the right online casino. There are many providers that come with appealing offers, but not all of them suit your needs. Not to mention that there are people who “hunt” welcome offers and create accounts on various pages just to receive the free money. From my point of view, the disadvantages, in this case, are greater than the advantages.

One of the major “blast” nowadays is represented by promo codes. I write about them and their best offers on Promo Code Junkie (if you wish to learn more, just check the site), and I may say that in most cases they can really make a difference in building a solid bankroll. For those who are not familiar with them, I can tell you that they bring free money. The offer generally ranges from 100% to 200% percent of the initial deposit in a limit of several hundred Dollars/Pounds/Euros/etc. with or without a number of free spins.

To make things easier to understand, I’ll give you two examples. Ace Kingdom promo code is a welcome offer that can be activated if you use MAXPROMO in the dedicated promo code box when you create an account. The amount you receive after you make your initial deposit ranges between 150% if you start with £20 and 200% is you opt for £50. The maximum you can get is £300.

For the second example, I will take Unibet bonus code. In this case, CPUK-20 focuses on the sports betting part and just like in the example above, it becomes active when you make your first deposit. In this case, the offer is quite different considering that it grants access to a first risk-free bet of maximum £20. This means that if you first guess is a losing one; you will be credited the amount you wagered, while if your guess was correct, you simply enjoy the winnings.

I decided to present these two scenarios because they are very different, and can help you understand better why it is so important to search for an online gambling establishment that truly meets your needs. While at a first glimpse it may seem like a good idea to collect them all, the truth is that all bonus codes come with certain terms and conditions attached. In brief words, you are not allowed to cash out the money until you meet certain wagering requirements. Not to mention that some promotions are valid only for certain games. This is why it is so important to be properly informed and to read reviews because it takes less time to find out valuable information rather than to search it yourself.

From my point of view, it is a smart idea to create an account on maximum three online casinos. You will see that the gambling offer is quite similar, and what really matters is the benefits they include. Furthermore, you will find it almost impossible to maximize the winnings if you focus on more than three casinos at the same time. Here are the main criteria that need to be checked:

· if the casino has a valid licensed and by which legal entity it is regulated;

· the variety of games available;

· the software that generates the games;

· the other types of promotions and bonuses, besides the welcome offer;

· if they grant access to a VIP program for loyal customers;

· the deposit and withdrawal policy;

· the customer support service.

The more you understand the qualities of an online casino, the higher the chances of winning and having a great time are. However, from my point of view, the true aspect that defines the benefits of nowadays gambling opportunities and how this world evolved is the emphasis put on responsible gambling. This can be translated into the possibility to limit your daily/weekly/monthly betting amount, you are in constant contact with your bankroll, and as you bet from home, you can stay away from distractions when you plan to make bold moves. These are only the major aspects that differentiate nowadays betting from what it used to be, but I will detail this issue in a future post.

Conclusion

As a conclusion, I may say that the two most important and relevant terms that define the 2016 online betting world are smart winnings. Players, thanks to the evolution of the Internet, now have access to all the information they need to turn the wagering experience into a fun and productive pastime. The new generation of gamblers is smarter, pickier and wants to have access to the best services. As a result, only the best providers can reach the top, and it takes a lot of work to stay there.