As the title suggests, below you'll find answers to some of the most common questions concerning gambling and online casinos. If you'd like more information on any particular topic, click on the links within the text. We hope you find the following information useful:
1. Is it safe to gamble online?
If you are using an accredited online casino then you will be safe to play.
2. Whats better; software based gambling games or flash gambling games?
Better is a relative question as both software based gambling games and flash based gambling games have their pros and cons. Software based games have better and more detailed graphics than flash based games but software based games require the gambler to install software to their computer, to have some computer knowledge and a computer with sufficient resources to handle the demands of the software. Flash based games require no installation and are ready for play as soon as the gambler opens an account with the online casino but the graphics are less detailed. It is up to each player to decide if they want to invest the small amount of extra effort and if they have the computer knowledge and resources to use software based games with superior graphics or if they want the speed and ease of flash based games with slightly less spectacular graphics.
3. Since gambling from home is so easy now, is it more addictive than live casino gambling?
Harvard Medical School Division of Addictions and The National Responsible Gambling Program of South Africa recently studied online gambling and addiction and they found that "online gamblers use more restraint and control than players in land-based casinos." They came to the conclusion that online gambling was not more addictive than gambling in land based casinos. It is important that all gamblers know the basic warning signs of gambling addiction and that they play in control and within their financial limits. Going into debt to continue gambling, suffering fits of rage and anger while gambling, neglecting family and work and compulsively seeking out gambling action are all warning signs. To get full information and help for gambling addiction, seek out your local chapter of Gamblers Anonymous. Remember the golden rule of gambling; Gamble to have fun and always bet within your limits.
4. I am new to gambling online. What should i do?
A player who is new to gambling online has a great tool at their disposal to assist them in learning how to gamble in the online environment. This is called "Playing for free with play money" and frankly, everyone should start out using play money, not just those who are new to gambling. Playing the various casino games with play money allows a new player to learn the rules and game play of the various casino games and allows even the experienced gambler the ability to learn the pace and timing of gambling online. If one is new to gambling there are all kinds of useful tools available at TheBestCasinoGuide.com to help you learn and there are also books and videos on all the various gambling games to help the player learn. TheBestCasinoGuide.com has a wide selection of videos available. To put it simply, play first with play money, practice the games you want to play till you are doing consistently well at them with play money and study all the information you have available to you to help you learn.
5. How do i get paid when i win?
Online casinos employ various methods to pay the player's winnings and to pay funds to the player from the player's account. What methods the casino uses should be taken into consideration when choosing an online casino. The casino should pay the player in a timely manner and there should be no hidden fees for paying the player. The casinos may pay the player by crediting funds back to the player's credit or debit card, by a bank wire or by a check or by one of the various internet based payment systems such as Ewallet, NetTeller, Moneybookers and Paypal. Be sure to check in advance concerning time limits on payments and choose a method of payment that you find makes payments in an acceptable (to you) amount of time. Check TheBestCasinoGuide.com for our section on payment methods for information and user comments to get additional information. Also, the player should be aware that every casino has restrictions on paying winnings from bonus money and the player must find out what these are in advance.
6. How to i pay for my chips? Is my money safe?
Most online casinos will accept deposits by Credit or Debit card, Western Union, Bank Wire, Personal Check (with time limits before funds are avaiable), Certified Checks, Bank Drafts and the various internet based payment services such as Ewallet, NetTeller, Moneybookers and Paypal. The player should find out, in advance, what protections are offered for their funds by the payment service or method they decide to use. It is also important to check, in advance, the casino's rules concerning your deposits and to check TheBestCasinoGuide.com listings and user comments for information on this topic. There is no absolute guarantee of safety but the gambler can go a long way towards making a safe deposit of funds by doing proper research.
7. How old do i have to be to gamble online?
Most online casinos requite the player to be 21 years old, although there are a few that have a minimum age of 18. Read the casino's "Terms and Conditions" for more information about a specific casino.
8. Do i really need to investigate a casino before i open an account?
YES, YES AND YES!! Opening an account without investigating the casino first is simply foolish and it is a relatively simple process to investigate a casino. TheBestCasinoGuide.com has listings on online casinos and user comments as well. The casino's website will tell you what gaming jurisdiction the casino is licensed by and must have rules, tech support and bonus information easily accessible. By comparing the various online casinos and using TheBestCasinoGuide.com, the player can go a long way towards having a positive and fun experience. Do your research and keep your online gambling safe and enjoyable.
9. Do i have to pay taxes on my winnings and are my losses tax deductible?
Most likely, YES! The player should check the laws in their place of residence and / or check with their tax person to find out exactly what is expected of them. The player should also keep detailed financial records of winnings, losses, deposits and payments from casinos. It is important to check with your tax person and quite fool hardy to ignore this issue.
10. Are online casinos honest, especially with everything being computerized?
There are several methods in place to help the player decide if an online casino is honest and if it is safe to deposit money with an online casino. First, any online casino you are considering must be licensed by a legitimate gaming jurisdiction. Secondly, the casino must have proper and clear rules posted on their website, full and detailed account tracking and provide 24 / 7, free, live tech support. Third, the player can check the search engines using key words like "blacklisted online casinos" and the player can and should check the user comments and casino ratings on TheBestCasinoGuide.com for up to date information on the casino. If the players follows these steps they are going a long way towards finding a safe and reputable casino.
11. What should I know about the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA)?
The UIGEA prohibits banks and similar institutions from processing fund for all online casinos. The law does not make it illegal for a U.S. citizen to bet with an online casino but restricting banks from processing funds makes it quite difficult for a U.S. citizen to place real money bets with online casinos or receive funds from online casinos.
12. What if gambling is illegal in my country, but online casinos take my business... is that illegal?
Most nations allow online gambling with certain restrictions such as licensing and proper tax and banking filings. Various forms of online gambling are legal and regulated in many countries, including most members of the European Union and several nations in and around the Caribbean Sea. The primary exceptions to this are the United States, which has banned the existence of online casinos based in the U.S. and Russia, which has banned all gambling of any sort. Australia does not allow internet casinos to be based in its national borders but does permit its citizens to wager online. Also gambling is illegal under religious law in all Muslim nations. It should also be noted that the U.S. has made it illegal for banks and similar institutions to handle financial transactions for online casinos. While there is no law against a U.S based player actually betting with an non - U.S. online casino, it is very difficult for a player to legally deposit funds.The final answer to this question is, of course, that it is the player's responsibility to check with their government as to what restrictions may exist that make exception to the above information.
