A: Absolutely.

Online casinos want you to feel safe wagering with them, so security is an incredibly high priority for them. They use all manner of firewall technologies and encryptions to ensure that you can bet safely. While there's no such thing as "a sure bet," there is definitely such a thing as a "secure bet."


Q: Do I have to download the casino's software to play?

A: Yes. And because they're good people, they make it easy.

You usually need to download the software in order to play. It usually only needs to be installed once. Get the best downloads right here! In some cases, you can order a CD for free.

Q: Can I play for fun?

A: Yes. You can also play for money.

Online casinos want you to see just how fun their games are. Most will let you download their software and open a guest account. Guest accounts allow you to play most of their games online and get a feel for what their casino is all about. Of course, you can't win cash with unless you play for real money. They're hoping that you'll see just how fun it is and want to play for money, but the choice is always yours.


Q: What are my chances of winning?

A: That depends, but they're better than you might think.

Most online casinos use some sort of random numbers generator, which works independently from any other part of the system. Online casinos also use firms like PricewaterhouseCoopers to independently review their payout percentages. Your chances of winning at an online are about the same as--and sometimes better than--your chances of winning at a land-based casino.


Q: How do I make a deposit into my account?

A: It's easier than you think.

With most online casinos, you have to download their software before you can open a "real money" account. Once you done that, you can easily make deposits with a credit card or online banking service like NETeller or FirePay.


Q: Are there basic "dos and don'ts" for online gambling?

A: Yes, but most of them are common sense suggestions.

Make sure you read and understand the casino's policies prior to wagering with them.

Find out if the casino is licensed by a government.

Don't gamble if you're under 18 years of age or if it is illegal where you live.

Do a little online research on the casino.

Verify that the casino's e-mail address and phone number are valid and that you get a prompt response.

Don't be too surprised if you experience connectivity issues or frozen games. These things happen on the Internet; online casinos are no exception. Should something like this occur, try reconnecting or contacting the casino.

Don't try to cheat. Your odds of getting away with it online are about as good as your odds of getting away with it in Vegas: not very good.