They make sure the casino pays out when players win, and they ensure that published odds match the actual odds programmed into each game. Some of the countries that allow online casinos to operate have strict guidelines and regulations that make sure the casinos operate legitimately. This brings us to the topic of regulation. Of course, if an off-shore casino decides to cheat a player out of winnings, and online gambling is illegal in that player's locality, the player will have a difficult time suing the casino. Since players are almost never prosecuted either, we're left with an illegal act that generally goes unpunished. doesn't really have the legal authority to prosecute someone in another country.

So a casino set up in the Netherlands is breaking U.S. Wire Wager Act makes it illegal to use an electronic wire method (which courts generally agree includes the Internet) to transmit bets to places where gambling is not allowed.

Issues of jurisdiction and sovereignty make gambling laws even murkier. Next, we'll find out if gambling online is legal. Success in the 'play for fun' games doesn't equal sucess when real money is on the line. If the real money games also paid off that big, the casinos would quickly go bankrupt. Although it can't be confirmed, trying out the 'play for fun' versions at several online casinos often results in hefty imaginary bank accounts. There is a difference in the odds between the 'play for fun' version and the real money versions of online games. Of course, these games don't pay out any real money. Players can try out the games for free using a play account filled with a few thousand dollars. Some sites only offer a download-to-play option. Players can also download the casino's software and play the games in a separate application. Many online casinos offer 'instant play' versions of their games, which usually run within a Web browser using Java. The sites offer their own odds, which in some cases are better than the odds offered by the traditional Las Vegas bookmakers (due, in part, to the lower overhead required to run an online betting site). These sites allow users to place bets on athletic competitions of every kind, as well as other events like political races or the outcomes of reality TV shows. There are also sites that offer online sports betting, which is another form of gambling.

Casino or casino or gambling