The Beginner’s Guide to Gambling
Gambling is one of the oldest pastimes in the world, and it’s still kicking! Some of the earliest evidence we have of gambling comes from 200 BC in Asia, with what are now recognized as keno slips for a state-funded lottery. And we’re sure that gambling dates back much farther than that, but we don’t have evidence of it.
Today, it’s estimated that more than 1.6 billion people gamble worldwide in some form or another, be it sports betting, at online casinos, or by purchasing lottery tickets. The neat thing about gambling is that many of the games we play today, like baccarat, roulette, and keno, were all among the first casino games to ever exist. It’s wild to think that today we are playing the same kind of roulette that was played in the 18th century!
But on a more serious note, even though almost a quarter of Earth’s population gambles, there are still plenty of people that don’t quite understand gambling. Maybe you live in a rural town far away from a casino, or maybe you just turned 18 or 21 and are interested in learning about gambling.
This guide to gambling will give you the resources you need to develop a firm grasp of the gambling world. We discuss everything from online casinos to sports betting sites!
And if you’re a seasoned gambler, there’s probably information on this page that’s new to you as well! Don’t be afraid to scroll through and use any of the links to get more information about specific betting sites or banking methods.
New to Gambling?
If this is your first time using a guide like this, we suggest checking out this article first to get a quick rundown of all the basics.
Looking for an Answer?
We have a comprehensive list of frequently asked questions, so chances are you’ll find the answer to your burning questions here:
Want to Learn About How Casinos Operate?
Casinos are one of the most interesting places to visit, and they are as equally interesting to learn about. Use this guide to learn about the house edge, casino etiquette, betting systems, and games of chance:
About This Guide
The purpose of this guide is to teach you everything you
could possibly want or need to know about gambling. That’s quite
a claim, given how extensive the subject is, but we’re confident
in our work. We’re constantly improving and adding to the guide
too, as we aim to make this the most comprehensive guide to
gambling you’ll find anywhere on the web.
Our primary focus is to make sure you enjoy yourself while
gambling. We want to make sure that you gamble responsibly, but
that you also give yourself the best possible chance of winning
some money. Please be aware that we can’t guarantee we’ll help
you win untold riches. There’s certainly the potential to win
money from gambling, but there’s always some risk involved too.
In order to make it as easy as possible for you to find
whatever information you might be looking for, we’ve divided
this guide into several sections. Two of the most popular
sections are our collection of articles on the basics of
gambling, and our introduction to online gambling. There’s more
information about what these sections cover below, but if you
want to jump straight to either one of them you can use the
following links.
Gambling Basics
Is Gambling Really Worth It?
Find out if gambling is really worth the risk, and if it’s the right pastime for you.
Making Money From Gambling
Is it possible to be a winner in the long run? We think so, and we can tell you why.
Dos and Don’ts of Gambling
Gambling the right way is about habit forming, so get it right from the start with these tips.
The Different Types of Gambling?
There are several different types of gambling, and we’ve explained all the main ones.
Online Gambling Guide
When people thing of gambling, they often draw up pictures of Vegas casinos, sparkling lights, champagne flutes, and poker champions. For a select few, that’s what gambling is all about.
But, for many people, gambling has moved into the online space. With technology like phones, tablets, and laptops widely accessible, many people prefer to gamble online than spend time travelling to a casino.
During the recent COVID-19 pandemic especially more people than ever started using online casinos because they’re easy, contactless, and great fun!
However, a lot of people are hesitant to sign up for an online casino because they feel like it’s unsafe, pointless, or a scam. And sure, those are fair concerns, but here’s a bit of info to assuage those fears:
- Our recommended online casinos are licensed by reputable gambling authorities, which certifies they are fair, safe, and legit.
- Online casinos take privacy very seriously, and will often contract third-party professionals to ensure their site is protected.
- Because they don’t have as much overhead as brick-and-mortar casinos, online gambling sites are able to give players bigger bonuses, larger payouts, and better odds.
- It’s much easier to set a budget for yourself while gambling online, which can help you spend less on gambling overall.
If you’re still curious about how online gambling works, here are some links to informative pages that will run you through everything about online gambling, including banking, bonuses, regulations, and more!
Online Sports Betting
Not all gambling on the Internet is about blackjack or slots! There are millions of people who use online sportsbooks to place wagers on their favorite teams.
Because many states in the US don’t have established, state-sponsored sportsbooks, offshore online sportsbooks give US bettors the opportunity to place wagers no matter where they are. These sportsbooks offer some of the best bonuses in the business, and they make it super simple to deposit and withdraw your funds.
We recommend all kinds of different sportsbooks based on the sport you’re looking to bet on. Some sites are better for NFL wagers, while other sites specialize in e-sports betting. No matter what sport you’re interested in, there’s an online bookie for you!
If you’re new to sports betting, here’s a quick guide to get you up to speed. But, if you already know the ins and outs of sports betting and are just looking for a great place to place your wagers, here’s a list of some of our favorite sportsbooks!
- Football Betting Sites
- Basketball Betting Sites
- Baseball Betting Sites
- Hockey Betting Sites
- Soccer Betting Sites
- Tennis Betting Sites
- Golf Betting Sites
- Boxing Betting Sites
- E-Sports Betting Sites
Top Online Gambling Sites by Type
If you’re looking for a specific kind of gambling site, be it a site for a specific region, with a certain banking method, or for a certain game, we’ve got you covered:
Top Gambling Sites by Region
Top Gambling Sites By Banking Method
- Skrill Gambling Sites
- Neteller Gambling Sites
- Visa Gambling Sites
- Mastercard Gambling Sites
- Credit Card Sites
- Paysafecard Gambling Sites
- Gambling Sites Accepting Bank Wire
- American Express Gambling Sites
Cryptocurrency Gambling Sites
- Bitcoin Gambling Sites
- BitcoinCash Gambling Sites
- Ethereum Gambling Sites
- Litecoin Gambling Sites
- Dogecoin Gambling Sites
Top Gambling Sites By Game
- Poker Sites
- Blackjack Sites
- Online Slots Sites
- Video Poker Sites
- Texas Hold’Em Sites
- Roulette Sites
- Baccarat Sites
- Craps Sites
- Keno Sites
Other Top Gambling Sites
- Safest Sites
- Entertainment Sites
- Mobile Sites
- Mac Sites
- Linux Sites
- High Stakes Sites
- Smartwatch Gambling
- Best Payout Sites
More Gambling Information
In the following sections of our guide we deal with a range
of additional gambling related topics. Some of them are included
because we thought you would find them interesting, while others
cover information that you really need to know. Remember, we’re
always adding to our guide so please check back soon if you
don’t see anything here that grabs your attention right away.
Regional Gambling Laws & Regulation
The laws relating to gambling vary greatly around the world.
In some regions, gambling in all its forms is completely legal
and fully regulated. In others, gambling of any kind is
explicitly illegal and punishable by law. In many regions, the
laws are somewhere between these two extremes.
The fact that different countries have different gambling
laws isn’t really a problem by itself. What can be a problem,
however, is the fact that in many countries the laws are very
unclear. It can be difficult to know for sure what’s legal and
what isn’t. This is especially true when it comes to online
gambling.
The gambling legislation in some countries is very outdated,
having been created long before the internet existed. This can
make it difficult to interpret how certain laws relate to online
betting and gaming. Online gambling also presents the issue of
jurisdiction. If you are sitting in front of your computer in
the United States, using a gambling site that is based in Costa
Rica, which set of laws will apply to you?
All in all, the legalities of gambling are very confusing.
That’s why we’ve put together a guide to regional gambling laws
and the relevant regulation that applies. It covers the legal
state of gambling in regions all over the world, including a
state by state analysis for the United States.
Online Gambling History
Online gambling may still seem like a relatively new phenomenon to many, but it’s actually been around for nearly 20 years already. It has a fairly short history, but it’s still important to learn it nonetheless. We’ve compiled a detailed history of online gambling, which includes histories of specific gambling sites and other companies within the gambling industry.
Biographies of People Involved in Gambling
In this section we’ve provided biographies on a wide range of people involved in the gambling world in some way. There’s information on pioneers in the online gambling industry, casino tycoons, famous gamblers, professional poker players, gambling criminals, and many more. These biographies take you into the life of influential gambling legends of the past and present, making for a very interesting read.
Gambler’s Fallacy
The gambler’s fallacy has resulted in the downfall of many gamblers. It’s the mistaken belief that random events are somehow affected by what has happened previously. Thinking in this way can be disastrous for a gambler. In this section we’ve explained why in detail and provided information on a number of popular progressive betting systems that are essentially based on the gambler’s fallacy.
Gambling Math
You don’t have to be a math expert to enjoy gambling, and you don’t even need to fully understand the role that math plays. It’s worth noting though, that math is involved in basically every single aspect of gambling. Understanding its role can give you a significant advantage over other gamblers, and it can even improve your overall chances of winning. If you’re interested in finding out more, then we invite you to take a look at this section.
Live Dealer Casinos
If you like gambling online but feel like you’re missing out on the social aspect of a brick-and-mortar casino, then live dealer games might be for you! Using state-of-the-art video streaming equipment, online casinos present you a real-life dealer at a physical blackjack, baccarat, or roulette table. You can communicate via chat with the dealer and other players, and witness gameplay in real time!
Virtual Reality Gambling
For a long time, people thought that live dealer casinos were the pinnacle of social interaction for online gamblers. After all, you were able to chat with other players and the dealer! But with the rise of virtual reality technology, online gambling got a whole lot more immersive. Instead of a solo 2D online casino, players can now enter a 3D casino with a VR headset and experience the sights and sounds of this rendered world. Soon, players will also be able to interact with other player avatars and gamble together!
Metaverse Gambling
At the end of 2024, leaders in the tech industry announced that they’d be working on a new project: The Metaverse. This virtual world seeks to simulate our real-life interactions, and can be used for work, education, and entertainment. We’re particularly interested in the Metaverse because of the opportunities for online gamblers. Already, there are few Metaverse casinos that allow players to use their crypto tokens to gamble on roulette, blackjack, slots, and poker.
A Final Point
If we could only give you one piece of advice, then it would
be to always be prepared to lose when gambling. Most gamblers
win money here and there, but in the long run the majority of
gamblers will be at a loss. This is why it’s very important to
only ever gamble with money you can afford to lose. If you’re
having fun and not spending money you need for other things,
then losing it doesn’t really matter. It’s basically just
spending money on a form of entertainment but
it’s very important to always gamble responsibly.
With that being said, it IS possible to be a long term winner
from certain forms of gambling. There’s no magic system that
will guarantee consistent profits, but you can be successful if
you are prepared to put in the time and effort to learn the
necessary skills and strategies required. This guide will help
you do just that.
Gambling should be fun, but it can become a habit that is difficult to control.
If you ever feel like you might be addicted to gambling you should stop immediately
and seek help. The following article contains information on dealing with gambling
addiction.
Gambling FAQ
Can I Make More Money Gambling at an Online Casino Than a Land-Based Casino?
You certainly can. The main difference between online casinos and land-based casinos is that you don’t have to spend many on travel or drinks or any of the other things casinos try to get you to purchase. In that regard, you can dedicate your gas money to gambling.
Another consideration is that because online casinos have a lot less overhead costs, they’re able to offer bigger bonuses and better denominations at table games. If you think about it, the brick-and-mortar casino has to pay every dealer, so the rates at the blackjack or poker table will be higher. But if you’re playing an RNG game, the online casino can afford to give you a $1 minimum bet. This makes it easy to spend less on gambling and potentially win more!
How Can I Start Gambling Today?
You have a few options! You can take a trip to your nearest casino or sportsbook to get started with in-person gambling. Or, you can sign up with an online gambling site like Bovada or Las Atlantis. These top gambling sites give you a wide range of banking options, bonuses and promotions, and games to experience. Signing up with a reputable online casino takes less than 5 minutes, and will probably be the best thing for you if you’re a new gambler!
What Is the Most Profitable Casino Game?
In terms of player advantage, blackjack is the best game to play. It has a low house edge and a good return, plus it’s very simple to learn. Other games that are pretty profitable include roulette (specifically French Roulette), poker, and baccarat. All of these games have a low house advantage, and aside from poker, they are fairly easy to learn.
What Is the Best Banking Method for Online Gambling Sites?
We prefer using cryptocurrency for all online gambling transactions. It’s a very secure method, anonymous, and can be withdrawn from most online casinos in a matter of minutes. The best part about crypto is that it’s an investment, too. So your winnings might earn you even more money once you withdraw them.
But if crypto isn’t your forte, you can always choose to use e-wallets like Neteller, Skrill, or Paypal, as well as popular credit cards like Visa, Mastercard, AMEX, and Discover.
Should I Claim an Online Casino Bonus?
Bonuses and promotions are great ways to help you get started with online gambling, but they aren’t for everyone. Most bonuses come with a wagering requirement that you must meet to be able to withdraw your winnings. These requirements can range from 10x your deposit and bonus to 50x! Obviously, if you wanted to just spend a little bit of cash on the slots, you wouldn’t really benefit from claiming a bonus. However, if you plan on using the online casino daily, you could probably get some use out of their bonus and meet the requirements no problem!
Make sure to always read the terms and conditions of a bonus before claiming it.
Can I Find the Same Games Online That I Can in-Person?
Many online casinos have exclusive games that land-based casinos simply don’t have access to. In this regard, there’s definitely a lot more variety when it comes to slots games at online casinos.
But this is a two-way street. Some games you play at brick-and-mortar casinos won’t be available online. Of course, the really popular ones will be available, like Buffalo King or Blazing 7s, but niche games might not be equipped for both platforms.
Can I Place Sports Bets at an Online Casino?
Online casinos almost exclusively operate within the gaming sphere, but there are plenty of sites out there that have both an online casino and an online sportsbook. Sites like Bovada, BetUS, and BetOnline offer players the option to make deposits at either the sportsbook or the casino, and even offer dual bonuses for each.
How Old Do I Have to Be to Gamble?
It depends. Many online gambling sites will let you into their site if you’re 18 or older, but most brick-and-mortar casinos—at least in the United States—will only allow you entry if you’re 21 or older. Make sure to check the laws in your state before you head over to a casino or sportsbook.
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