Why Online Gambling Continues to Grow..??

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 first online gambling site was launched in August 1995. It is currently estimated that there are well over 2,000 Internet gambling Web sites 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 that has so enticed gamblers? Perhaps it is the virtue of it simply being online. There are 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 is the choice of games. The number of games and their varieties online are astounding. Poker, blackjack, roulette or sports gambling, online casinos offer them all. Lets take a look at a few of them:

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

Blackjack, also known as twenty-one or Pontoon, is one of the most popular casino card games in the world. Much of blackjack's popularity is due to the mix of chance with elements of skill, and the publicity that surrounds card counting The slot machine typically pays off based on patterns of symbols visible on the front of the machine when it stops. Modern computer technology has resulted in many variations on the slot machine concept.

The freedom of time and money are added attractions. The online casinos are relatively inexpensive to operate in terms of staff being paid, so they are able to offer players free games. Entering a blackjack room in an online casino is 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 on the spot. At home, the player is able to slow down and play only when they are ready.

Sadly, with such a growth in popularity has come many online gambling hoaxes. Illegitimate and cheating websites are present on the net and can be deceiving. The most important things to remember when gambling online are the three elements of consideration, prize and chance. All three should be present.

The problem with online gambling is that it is far harder to control. The industry that has to protect itself from the dangers of compulsive gamblers. In the virtual world, this is hard to enforce. A customer is able to sit in their own living room, in whatever state they choose to be in and at whatever age and gamble as much as they desire.

Caution seems to be the only key. Gambling has always been a controversial subject; gambling on the internet is simply an extension of this controversy.

Casino Path is a comprehensive guide to online casino gambling. We strive to provide consumers with up to date honest information and evaluations of the online casino industry. You can learn more at Casino Path.com

What Will an Obama Presidency Mean For Online Casinos?

The eyes of the world were watching America this month as Barack Obama was elected President of the United States. Standing in front of an elated Chicago crowd, many of whom had queued for hours to attend his victory rally, he delivered a speech that the world would remember for years to come. Between two sheets of bullet proof glass, he addressed the nation. He spoke of trials, tribulations and challenges. He thanked his supporters, the people that had voted for him. He spoke of improving the country. As the world watched, the next President of the United States gave a speech that echoed around the globe. He didn't talk specifics and he did not mention his key policies. Not once did he talk of removing troops from Iraq. Not once did he speak about bringing tax cuts to the middle classes. There was no need to. This was the beginning of a new era in American politics and he gave a speech fit for the occasion. Barack Obama spoke to the world that evening. They duly listened.

The current actions by the President-Elect have suggested his time as president will be concentrated on change. In a recent press conference, Obama explained to journalists his plans for his first months as president, divulging his aims for economic revival, stimulus packages and army withdrawal from Iraq. It's possible that not many reporters in the crowd had questions relating to online gaming. With the thirteen economy ad visors standing behind him, it probably would have seemed out of place. Indeed, the new president definitely has bigger fish to fry. He is the new leader of the American people after all.

When the troubles around the recession, Iraq and the environment have subsided though, the issue of online gaming will find its way into the White House. Obama's choice about online casinos will determine the fate of gaming in America. The only question still remaining is what will the President choose to do; to allow online casinos to operate in his country, or not?

Although the 2006 Safe Port Act prevents online gamers from wagering their dollars on online casinos, there are some positive signs that an Obama presidency may scrap the law introduced by the current president, George W. Bush. There are glimmers of hope. Comments from Obama in the past have insinuated that he'd study the pros and cons of legalizing online gaming in the US and a statement from the new President on the campaign trail - while talking to a writer from an American newspaper - states him as saying that he could see the advantages of online gaming as long as it was regulated by the government. Although he hasn't declared that he'd reinstate online casinos in America, Obama's statement has heartened many players and online operators alike. Obama's speech on the Vegas strip this year gave further hope to online players. Could this new President bring online casinos back onto US soil after all?

American players should restrain themselves from searching on the internet for their nearest online casino though; Obama has a number of ethical worries about online casino gaming and when a man, elected as the latest leader of the United States on a wave of progress, speaks to a reporter and goes on the record to say online casino gaming can have terrible moral and economic costs, online casino operators hoping to run their casinos in the US shouldn't start buying up domain names just yet; the latest president has raised a number of fears regarding online casino gaming.

After he grew into a fixture on the political landscape, it quickly became apparent that online gaming casino companies would need to start looking for another messiah to defend their cause. Despite the desires of many online casino operators, the hope that Barack Obama would negate the 2006 Safe Port Act were quickly crushed early into the US election season. The revelation that Barack Obama believes gaming to come with an unacceptable social and economical cost was a shocking one for parties with a vested interest in online casinos. It was not the vote of harmony casino companies were wishing for. Taking a look through Obama's history in the Senate, there's even more bad news. In 1999 He voted nay to a bill to increase the Illinois gaming district. Ouch.
Obama's conflicting beliefs will concern a lot of players. Although, a politician presenting both sides of a case is hardly a new thing. There's always a chance Obama may reinstate online casinos. Just don't bet the farm on playing them just yet.

As an occasional poker player, Obama is famous for a calm playing style. During his period as an Illinois senator, he often played in low stakes poker matches. Friends said that he rarely bet huge amounts, never bluffed, and constantly held his cards close to his chest. Many commentators will be wondering if his poker style will echo his presidency. When Obama is asked a question about the online casino issue, how close will he keep his hand?

Obama has all the chips on the issue legalizing internet casinos in the United States. Understandably, though, he's been more focused on the economic troubles facing modern America. But, taking into account the surplus revenue internet gaming can provide to his national piggyback, can he afford to ignore internet gaming, purely because of a moral objection?

Whatever his private opinions of online casinos, no one will know them until he takes the oath of the President in the New Year. Whatever President Obama's final decision on online casinos, thousands of gamers will be interested to see which colour he'll place his chips on in the online casino debate.

Marcus Miles is an amateur gamer, based in Manchester, United Kingdom. He has been writing about gaming-related issues for over ten years, having started his career writing about gaming in the editorial department of a regional poker magazine in Liverpool. He has been a contributor to a number of internet gaming websites, most recently online casino, http://www.kerching.com