Online Casinos – also referred to as Virtual Casinos or Internet Casinos – provide gambling and betting services through the Internet. They are sometimes referred to as the online version of ‘bricks and mortar’, or traditional, casinos.
Reputedly the first online casino, InterCasino, was launched in 1996. Since then, the industry has grown widely. The industry can be grouped according to web-based or download casinos. The former allows players to participate in online gaming and betting using (usually) only Adobe Flash software – which is commonly available on personal computers or free to download. The latter option entails a full software download offered by the individual online casino, which subsequently offers a realistic, real-time, interactive experience of a casino environment.
Typically, games offered by online casinos include online card games – such as baccarat, blackjack and poker – online table games – such as roulette and craps – and online slots. Many online casinos offer welcome bonuses to new players, which augment their initial deposit funds. Also, new players typically play their first games for free, in a practice mode, before starting to gamble with real money.
One of the main issues affecting the online casino and gambling industry is that of its legitimacy and fairness in the eyes of its players, as well as the regulators. The industry is licensed and highly regulated, and sites often run their software from third-party providers so as to ensure fairness.
Well-known online casinos and betting places include 888.com, Bet365, InterCasino, JackpotCity, Ladbrokes, Littlewoods, Spin Palace and William Hill.