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 more than 2,000 Internet gambling Internet 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, based on Christiansen Capital Advisors (CCA).

So what is it about the online casino phenomenon which has so enticed gamblers? Perhaps it’s the virtue of it simply being online. There are a lot of 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 answerable 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 30 days.

Blackjack, often known as twenty-one or Pontoon, is just one of the full details most common casino card games on the globe. Much of blackjack’s popularity is as a result of the mixture of chance with elements of skill, and also the publicity that surrounds card counting The slot machine typically pays off based upon patterns of symbols visible on the front of the equipment when it stops. Modern computer technologies have resulted in lots of variations on the slot machine concept.

The freedom of time and expense are added attractions. The on-line casinos are relatively affordable 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 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 once they are ready.