If you’re like most Internet aficionados, you probably already know that online casinos are online versions of traditional bricks and mortar casinos.  In other words, online casinos (also called virtual casinos or Internet casinos) let you place wagers on casino games via the Internet.  Online casinos, like traditional bricks and mortar casinos also have a variety of casino games to choose from, including craps, slot machines, baccarat, roulette, blackjack, video poker etc.

What you may not know about online casinos, however, is that now there are three different types of online casinos and they’re differentiated by the interface they use.  There are download-based casinos, web-based casinos and, live casinos.  Download casinos, as the name implies, requires that the user download software in order to play and place wagers on the casino games offered.  Web-based casinos, on the other hand, don’t require any software downloads but they do require browser plug-ins such as Flash, Java, or Shockwave, which require browser support and bandwidth.  Finally, live casinos require neither downloads nor browser plug-ins.  Live casinos let gamblers play games in a real world environment.  This means that players get to hear, interact with, and even see live dealers from all over the globe.

While there are pros and cons associated with all three types of games, there are also certain qualities that all the games share.  For example, they all offer a variety of casino games (like the ones mentioned above) and they all offer a number of different types of bonuses.  Also, fears about fraudulent casino practices are not limited to just one type of online casino, which means that you should investigate a casino thoroughly before you play there, whatever type of online casino it is.  Fortunately, there are plenty of online gambling portals on the net that rate online casinos and report those that have been accused of fraudulent business operations.

It’s also important, before you play, to check on the legal status of online gambling in your country of residence.  England, for example, permits online gambling and has even begun licensing and regulating the online gambling industry, arguing that only by doing so can governments fully protect their citizens from unethical business practices and abuse.  The US, on the other hand, continues to oppose online gambling, and has even passed legislation making it illegal for banks and credit card companies to process transactions between US residents and online gambling companies.

Posted on: January 23, 2007

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