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As popular
an activity that online casino gambling is, it seems
somewhat surprising how many people don't understand
all the ins and outs of how the industry operates and
is regulated - or at least, how it should be
regulated. However, considering we're talking about a
global, internet-based industry that was spawned as
recently as the early nineties, not to mention the
fact that gambling, in general, is a very touchy
matter, it's not hard to see where this
misunderstanding comes from.
Fortunately, there are a growing number of online
resources committed to setting things straight. One of
the most important resources for any online gambler is
eCommerce and Online Gaming Regulation and Assurance (eCOGRA).
eCOGRA is a non-profit, independent standards
authority helping to make online gambling a globally
regulated industry with international standards. They
conduct independent payout percentage audits and issue
"Fair and Safe" Seals of approval to online casinos
that meet their strict requirements.
eCOGRA also offers an "Approved Portals" page, which
are essentially third party sites that provide online
casino reviews, bonus information, game rules and
strategy and betting news. For digging up the finer
details of choosing an online casino to play at,
eCOGRA approved portals are excellent resources. Of
the approved sites listed here, the most comprehensive
resource that we came across was a portal called
Online Casino Suite. In addition to in-depth reviews
of government regulated online casinos, including
eCOGRA casinos, Online Casino Suite publishes
information on software providers (the underbelly of
the entire industry), daily news and a gambling blog
(which tries real hard to be entertaining, but is
informative, none the less).
There are many other good resources on the World Wide
Web, but unfortunately, there are even more gamblers
who do not know where to turn for unbiased
information. Remember, it all begins with legitimate
resources. Above all else, players should always
inquire about the software platform powering an online
casino and where the casino is regulated. The leading
software providers that have been independently tested
for inherent fairness are
Microgaming, Real Time
Gaming, Vegas Technology, Cryptologic, Wager Works,
Playtech and Boss Media. There are others, but these
are the one's that power the vast majority of licensed
and regulated online casinos. In terms of regulation
jurisdictions, the best are widely considered to be in
the UK, Malta, Alderney, Isle of Man, Gibraltar,
Curacao, Antigua Barbuda and Kahnawake. Some are
stricter than others, but all of these have earned
themselves a rightfully credible reputation.
The problem is that far too often, newbie online
gamblers buy into the first website they come across
and don't even take the time to validate the software
platform or where and even if the online casino is
being regulated and monitored on a consistent basis.
This type of blind trust not only puts the player at
great risk of getting shammed, but also keeps them
from taking advantage of some of the better free
offers out there.
Indeed, there are plenty of free offers, for just like
in the land-based gambling industry, online casinos
face stiff competition between one another and must
give away free stuff to attract players and keep them
loyal. The most alluring of the free offers is, of
course, free bonus money, which in essence, are not
entirely free. Most of these bonuses require a minimum
deposit and a minimum play-through (meaning the bonus
money must be gambled over a certain number of times
its original value). Still, the best bonuses are
capitalized into free cash by players who know what
types of bonuses to look for and how to play their
cards right.
Again, online gambling portals are a great resource
for finding the best bonuses. At the aforementioned
portal,
Online Casino Suite, we came across a casino
bonus money page that listed what appeared to be some
very generous bonuses, including one for $888 Free at
Rushmore Casino. After doing some further research, we
found these bonuses to indeed be the real thing. And
that's what navigating through the online gambling
industry is all about - seeking out the real thing. If
you get yourself educated before jumping in, you'll
have yourself a safe and fair experience gambling
online. |
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