Links Last Tested

The Pros and Cons of Online Casino Gambling

It is easy to see that online gambling is a lot different to gambling in a physical casino. In some ways it is better and in some ways it is worse.

The Pros

1. Online Gambling is a competitive business and many Casinos will offer a lot to get and keep your business. Many will offer sign-up bonuses to new customers, adding 10 to 50% of their initial deposit to their bankroll (see below for more on this subject). Some will randomly deposit money in customer accounts and others will give away vacations for specified levels of total money bet.

2. The rules and odds are better than in physical casinos.

3. The Casino is in your own home and you don't have to travel long distances.

4. It's less annoying than having to suffer other Casino players such as smokers.

5. You don't feel obligated to tip.

6. You can have your strategy guide on hand, you would be checked out of a real casino if you brought in such a guide.

7. It's cheaper than going to Las Vegas.

8. You can take as much time as you want to play a game.

9. You get better comps at Online Casinos than you do at physical casinos.

The Cons

1. You have to be patient about getting your money back after cashing out. In addition to waiting periods on the casino end there are also delays on the credit card end. Two to four weeks is the norm for the time between cashing out and your credit appearing back on your credit card. Debit cards are much faster taking only about 3 to 5 business days.

2. Customer service can be spotty depending on where you play. Some places offer great services via email and a toll free number. Others may take several days to reply to an email, have no telephone number, and generally seem like they don't want to be bothered aside from taking your money.

3. The player has no power or authority to turn to in the case of a dispute. Generally good Casinos will listen to a players dispute and deal with it fairly. In the players agreement however it says the Casino can make up the rules as they go and in the event of a dispute the casino's word is final.

4. If you play at a lot of places your credit/debit card statement will be a nightmare to balance. Transactions seldom indicate the places played at but instead specify the casinos merchant bank.