Gambling – one of mankind’s oldest and best-loved forms of entertainment – has undergone a revolution in recent years thanks to the internet. All the familiar High Street names such as Ladbrokes, Littlewoods and William Hill now have substantial online presences, and have been joined by a whole raft of purely internet-based gambling companies.

There are a number of reasons for the recent proliferation, including huge advances in security software and much greater download speeds. All you need these days to make a flutter and possibly win some big money is a PC and an internet connection.

Many people who would never have dreamt of wandering into a betting shop can now experience the thrill of gambling, for small stakes to many thousands of pounds, in the comfort of their own home.

All forms of betting can be found on the internet, from online bingo and slots to sophisticated games like poker, blackjack and roulette. For some of these, free software has to be downloaded before you can start playing, but others can be indulged in immediately.

To get started playing your favourite game, first take a look around at the various freebies on offer, such as free bets, which change all the time, and get a feel for various sites. Having settled on one, play a few free bingo games to get a feel for it before signing up, opening an account and making a small deposit to gain full access and start playing for real money.

Gambling has never been easier!