- Sports Gambling Pros And Cons
- The Gambling Question Pros And Cons Vs
- The Gambling Question Pros And Cons 2017
So, with the pros and cons to both live and online gambling laid out, let’s summarize the type of person each one is best suited for. Live gambling is for you if You’re extroverted – you like to socialize with others. Sin taxes help states pay the cost of treating the public health consequences of smoking, drinking, and gambling. But states don’t spend as much of this tax revenue on health care as they could. It covers some of society's cost of educating people about lung cancer.
CASINO GAME RULES
Gambling regulators in Illinois recently debated whether it would be wise to let the state's casinos stay open 24 hours a day. Their final answer: No. Illinois casinos have never been permitted to operate 24 consecutive hours and it appears that regulation is here to stay. The decision was not a clear-cut one. Some regulators, like Tom Swoik of the Illinois Casino Gaming Association, fought hard for the maximum expansion of Illinois gambling hours. Others pressed for the continuation of the two-hour break each morning when Illinois casinos close, arguing that this short respite helps protect addicts from sleepless, out-of-control gambling binges.
The decision to prohibit 24-hour casino operation was announced in late October by Aaron Jaffe, chairman of the state's gaming board. Jaffe indicated that the board carefully examined the issue from both sides before making its final decision.
The Pros of 24-Hour Illinois Casinos
Although the proponents of 24-hour operation in Illinois did not get what they wanted, they made a valiant attempt at arguing the following points:
- Because truck stop video machines in Illinois are allowed to run 24 hours per day, it only seems fair that casinos should be allowed to do the same.
- The Illinois budget is hurting. At the end of the 2013 fiscal year, the state was at least $6 billion behind in payments. Increasing gambling minutes would pad the state's skimpy budget considerably.
- Keeping casinos open around the clock would prevent Illinois gamblers from road-tripping to other casinos in nearby states. Gambling facilities just across the Mississippi River, for example, are open all the time and are likely to get more customers than the ones that temporarily close.
- The well-being of problem gamblers should not be an issue that prevents the initiation of 24-hour casinos. Effective regulations and restrictions that protect addicts are already in place.
The Cons of 24-Hour Illinois Casinos
Those who were against round-the-clock casino operation in the state argued the following points:
- Problem gamblers need respite from the gambling atmosphere. They need time to sleep and a way to distance themselves, if only for a few hours, from out-of-control spending.
- The regulations and restrictions that supposedly “protect” addicts are not as effective as proponents say they are. Addicts need a mandated break from round-the-clock gambling.
- The social costs do not outweigh the financial benefits of this proposal.
How Other Regions Handle the 24-Hour Issue
The glitzy casinos of Las Vegas are open day and night. The bustling casinos of Atlantic City are open around the clock. Is there a casino near cheyenne wyoming. Outside of these two popular gambling Mecca, however, not every gambling facility is open for business 24 hours per day.
In Macau, most facilities are open all the time, but a handful are not. This comes as a surprise to some, as the casinos of Macau far exceed the casinos of Las Vegas in terms of business and profits.
Each state in the U.S. can decide for itself whether it wants to legalize 24-hour gambling. Maryland recently passed a proposal that will allow its casinos to stay open day and night; previously, they had been closing at 2 a.m. on weeknights and 4 a.m. on weekends. Colorado accepted a similar ballot proposal in 2009.
Question 7: Expanding Maryland's Casino Landscape
Prior to December of 2012, Maryland's casinos did not operate on a 24-hour basis. The buildings closed at 2 a.m. on weeknights and 4 a.m. on weekends.
In November of 2012, Maryland voters gave the thumbs up to “Question 7”, a loaded ballot issue which expanded gambling hours. It also provided for the addition of a sixth casino to the state's repertoire and the introduction of table games to the public. Citizens were repeatedly told that, if passed, the measure would significantly bolster public education funding. It was projected that, if the measure passed, $60 million would be generated for public education the following year and that revenue would escalate to $199 million by 2019.
Although the extension of casino hours to 24/7 was part of the Question 7 package, it was not voters' primary focus. The desire for increased education funding sparked the changes, which focused heavily on the opening of a sixth gaming facility. Nevertheless, when Question 7 passed, the hours of all Maryland's casinos were extended.
Amendment 50: Colorado's Fight to Keep Casinos Alive
2008 was a poor performance year for Colorado's gambling facilities. Profits descended to the lowest levels they'd seen in the state's 17-year gaming history. Blame was laid on the new recession, rising gas prices, and the fact that smoking had been banned in all gaming facilities. Something had to be done to save the industry. That something was called “Amendment 50”.
Initiated by the people, Amendment 50 changed the state's constitution to allow for the 24-hour operation of casinos. It also made craps and roulette available to the public and raised maximum bets from $5 to $100. A generous 78 percent of the revenue seen by the amendment was promised to Colorado's community colleges. At the time of enactment, it was projected that the positive effects of this revenue would start being felt at the colleges by 2011.
Similar to the naysayers of Illinois, critics of the Colorado amendment expressed fears that addicts would be hurt by the changes. Specifically, they worried that higher maximum bets and expanded hours would drain the resources of high risk gamblers even faster than before. Unlike Illinois, however, Colorado voted to pass their amendment and expand the freedoms of the casinos.
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Most casinos are open around the clock, but a few still cling to the notion of a short respite during the wee hours of the night. In some areas, like Illinois, this respite is valued more than the potential revenue that could be earned by round-the-clock operation. In other areas, like Maryland and Colorado, voters have elected to eliminate the short break in favor of 24-hour casino operation.
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Introduction
If you have never gambled online you are probably bewildered by how to get started. Online gambling is still a relatively young industry and as such there are still many less than reputable casinos. The good and the bad are still fiercely elbowing each other for market share. So choose where to play carefully. I have some tips below which may help you.
The Gambling Question Pros And Cons Vs
You are probably also wondering if the games are fixed. At one point I said emphatically not. On average the casinos keep about 75% of money deposited so they shouldn't need to cheat. However I have heard complaint after complaint of extremely bad luck from playing at some non-licensed casinos that use no-name web software. I do believe that the vast majority of online casinos play fair but am suspicious of a small minority. As you hop from one web site to another of the online casinos it may seem arbitrary about choosing one to play at. Let me help by saying that quality counts. Take a close look at their web site or the free games. If they seem like a professional organization chances are better that they are. Finally trust your gut. If you get a bad feeling about a place then resist playing there, even if you can't explain to yourself the exact reason.
The Basics of Playing
There are two ways you can go in terms of actually gambling online, web-based instant play platforms and downloadable software. Web based platforms offer almost immediate playing and a nearly identical experience to the downloadable software. In the past downloadable software was the best, but now I prefer to play through instant play platforms. Playing at an online casino begins with you registering an account on the website of the spot you want to play at. This is sometimes done on the casino web site and sometimes through the software. Then you must put some into your account. The vast majority of the time this is done with a credit (or debit) card. Other options include Western Union, Bitcoin, and bank wires, although some sites carry substantial fees for using these services. Beware that some credit cards will treat deposits to an online casino as a cash advance. If this happens then you may have success in arguing the charge but many credit cards have a flat policy that a purchase of casino chips counts as a cash advance. I recommend using debit cards instead, as there is never a cash advance fee and the transactions are posted faster.
Once you have money in your account you may then begin to play. Be sure to check the rules first, many online casinos favor European rules which can be different than U.S. rules. This can be good or bad depending on the particular rule. As you play I would suggest documenting everything you do. Personally I use graph paper to keep a running track of my bankroll and the total amount bet.
If you plan to return in the near future do not cash out, just leave your money in your account. When you do cash out the chips will be converted to cash and credited back to your credit card, up to the amount of the initial purchase. If you have a net win then the winnings will have to be sent another way, usually by check. Most places will send winnings for free but others will subtract a finance charge.
The Pros and Cons of Online Casino Gambling
There can be no debate that online gambling is a lot different than gambling in a physical casino. In some ways it is better and in some ways it is worse. Below are my pros and cons of online gambling, based on my personal experiences, compared to gambling in a 'real' casino.
The Pros
- Online gambling is a competitive business and many casinos will offer a lot to get and keep your business. Many will offer sign-up bonuses to new customers, adding 10 to 50% of their initial deposit to their bankroll (see below for more on this subject). Some will randomly deposit money in customer accounts and others will give away vacations for specified levels of total money bet.
- The rules are usually better than in physical casinos.
- You don't have to travel long distances. The casino is in your own home.
- You don't have to suffer real casino annoyances, like smokers.
- You don't have to feel obligated to tip.
The Cons
- You have to be patient about getting your money after you cash out. In addition to waiting periods on the casino end there are also delays on the credit card end. Things are generally faster than in years past, but American players can still expect to wait up to 5 business days to see withdrawals processed and paid out.
- Customer service can be spotty depending on where you play. Some places offer great service via live chat, e-mail and a toll-free number. Others take several days to reply to an e-mail, have no known telephone number, and generally seem like they just don't want to be bothered aside from taking your money.
- If a player uses a site that doesn't have a legitimate gaming license, they have no power in the event of a dispute. This has gotten better over the past five or so years, but there are still sites that operate without a license will take advantage of you if given the chance.
- If you play at a lot of places your credit/debit card statement will be a nightmare to balance. Transactions seldom indicate the name of the casino you played at but instead specify the merchant bank.
What is Expected of the Player
One of the biggest problems facing the online gambling business is abuse by players. At the annual industry meeting in Montreal there was just as much, if not more, discussion about this issue than the future legality of online gambling. This is a very legitimate concern because there are a lot of people seeking to defraud the industry.
Although online gambling is a very competitive business when it comes to player abuse the industry feels so strongly that the online casinos help to protect each other. Specifically negative databases, or blacklists, of players suspected of fraud or abuse are shared among the online casinos. The typical reasons for being blacklisted are:
- Disputing charges
- Threatening to dispute charges
- Using someone else's credit card
- Manipulation of gaming software
- Opening more than one account per household or computer
Of these disputing and threatening to dispute charges are the biggest problem the industry faces. The industry term for this is a charge back. This will get a player blacklisted very quickly. Multiple accounts per household or computer I believe is only frowned on if multiple bonuses are given to the same household or same e-mail address. In addition Julie Sidwell says that at least two negative databases track bonus abusers, or player who only play during bonus promotions.
Once the player is on the blacklist they will likely be unwelcome at every casino that the list is shared with. It is like a bad credit rating or a police record, it follows you wherever you go. Placement on a blacklist is not always justified and once on it there is no authority to appeal to for removal.
Doing business in the unregulated world of the Internet is risky for both player and casino. For this reason there seems to be an unwritten code of honor expected of players. Players do not have the liberty of parsing the rules in a legalistic manner and doing whatever they please that is not listed as prohibited behavior. In the absence of a higher authority to regulate the business, players are held accountable to an implied good faith contract. Remaining above reproach and avoiding any appearance of questionable behavior is important for longevity as a player.
Playing for Bonuses
To attract your business many casinos will add a bonus to your initial deposit, usually 10% but I have seen it go as high as 100%. When you accept a bonus you are usually required to meet a certain level of betting action to cash out the bonus. I have seen the total amount bet required range from three times the deposit (Pinnacle Sportsbook) to 40 times the sum of the deposit plus the bonus (Connecto Casino). Read the rules carefully before you start playing. After opening an account wait at least 15 minutes for any welcome e-mail to come in. Sometimes this e-mail will indicate different rules than what the web site says about earning a bonus. Assume that you have to meet the more stringent of the conditions. Regardless of what the rules are you should more than exceed them. If pressed for specifics I would say play at least 50% more than required but 100% or more is better. Some online casinos claim, and exercise, the right to deny bonuses to customers they feel are in it only for the bonus, as opposed to the enjoyment of the casino. Finally I would be suspicious of casinos that you have never opened an account with who send unsolicited bonus offers.
I have created an automatically updating list of the best bonuses in terms of wagering requirements and other terms for each of the popular casino games.
What are the best online gambling sites?
There are thousands of online casinos to choose from, and to the beginner it may seem confusing telling them apart. Use our 'Recommended' section as a guide on the top rated and trusted brands. Please also consider these important factors:
- Is there a sign-up bonus? If so how much?
- How are the rules? This can vary a lot in games like blackjack and video poker.
- Are there transaction fees? If so how much?
- Is there a phone number you can call? Is it toll free? If you call, is the line busy?
- Is the casino licensed?
- Is there information available about who owns and operates the casino?
- Who provides the software? Is it a reliable name, or some mystery no-name company?
The Gambling Question Pros And Cons 2017
Do not expect any casino to score an A+ in all these categories. Consider the total package and use your best judgement. A good place to start is to visit read my reviews of casinos with the Wizards Seal.
Is it Illegal to Gamble Online?
On October 13th, 2006 the Unlawful Internet Gambling and Enforcement Act was signed into law by George W. Bush as an unrelated add-on to the SAFE Port Act of 2006, and we have followed what has changed since then. Since then many Internet casinos have closed the accounts of American players, as well as Neteller, the main payment processor for U.S. players.
In December 2011 the US Department of Justice issued a legal opinion that the Wire Act of 1961 online applied to sportsbetting, opening the door for legalized online gambling in the United States. Since then, the states of New Jersey, Nevada, and Delaware have legalized online betting in some form, and more states are set to come on board in the future. There has been no movement of federal legalization of the activity, so right now it remains in a legal grey area, although not illegal.We are keeping an eye on each state in the US regarding the legality of online gambling here.
I Think I'm Being Cheated
Since 1997, the Wizard and his team have been trying to keep the gaming business clean of cheating, both online and in land casinos. Our blacklist lists some of the online operators we've exposed dealing an unfair game. While most accusations we get of foul play look more like bad luck to us, we still are open to looking at credible evidence. If you feel you're the victim of an unfair game, please fill out our complaint form and we'll evaluate your claim.
If you are playing a D9 game where you can double down only on hands with value of 9, 10 or 11, you won't be able to double on an 8 versus a dealer's 6 like the table says. If you draw a 4 for a new hard 11, you should next double down, as the table shows.Hard hands greater than 17 are played like a hard 17 – stand on all. Instead, as the legend proposes, you should hit it.Using these tables is completely straightforward – check the value of your hand, check what up-card the dealer holds and look where in the table the two conditions coincide.Also, these rules apply to whatever number of cards your hand consists of. Blackjack basic strategy no double after split. If, for example, you have a hard 7 versus the dealer's 7, according to the table, you should hit the hand.
External Links
A good source for following news regarding Internet gambling in the U.S. is at CasinoListings.com .
Written by: Michael Shackleford