Jim Phelan Coach of the Year Award
 
Hugh Durham Coach of the Year Award
 
The Skip Prosser Man of the Year Award
 
 
Typically, online gambling is associated with card games and betting machines. In other words, most people basically think of online gambling as a virtual Las Vegas. And while in many ways this is true, the whole online gambling package is much more than any Las Vegas casino could ever offer somebody under a single roof. Not only is online gambling Slots and Blackjack, it's tournament-style Poker, it's big-money Bingo, it's games of skill like Backgammon and Gin Rummy, it's sports betting, horse racing, exchange betting and it's instant scratch-off cards.

In fact, there are so many options when it comes to gambling online, this seemingly infinite variety of choices can be somewhat daunting and overwhelming for somebody new to the internet betting scene. Some of the most common and rightfully important questions asked by newbie's is: "How do I know it's safe?", "What are the odds?", and of course, the infamous "Is it legal?".

While the answer to the latter of these three questions is a definite yes for players in certain countries (mainly those in Europe), it's a grey answer for many other countries. Two other things are certain, however. One, there are online casinos willing to take bets from players in every country, no matter the legal grey area. And two, with a lack of regulation, there is an increased chance for scams, which reminds me of the welcome text on one of my favorite online gambling portals, Online Casino Suite. It says, "...along with online casino technology, comes the opportunity for online casino scams." Obviously, that isn't the same thing as a lack of regulation, but it certainly is a manifestation of it.

So, before you get too excited and open an account at any online casino, or bingo room for that matter, know how not to get yourself scammed. When it comes to online casinos, your first consideration should be the software - and I'm not talking about the look of the graphics (although that's still a feasible consideration). I'm speaking in terms of technological innovation. Specifically, I'm referring to software platforms that are protected with Secure Socket Layer firewalls and equipped to handle 128-bit encryption, thus protecting all of your personal information and financial transactions. Software should also be tested by third party certifiers for inherent fairness, and should publish these certifications on their website for all to see.

For poker and bingo rooms, software is still important. However, since both of these are communal games largely depending on the size of the player base, another top consideration should be the network at large. For poker, the software platform is usually also the network, with the exceptions being large proprietary sites. For example, Microgaming Software, which licenses several top online casinos, also manages a poker network that pools players together from multiple sites at once, thus resulting in larger communal jackpots.

The same is true for online bingo. Probably the most popular bingo network on the Web, the World Bingo Network operates multiple online bingo rooms, including USA Bingo, Desperate Housewives and Bingo Workz, all tied into a massive pool of money that rivals many progressive jackpots found at online casinos.

So, whether you like card games, bingo, poker, keno or skill gaming, you can see just how much the vast world of online gambling has to offer. Just remember to choose your destinations wisely. If you want to save yourself some time, as well as any risk of getting scammed, consider visiting a credible all-in-one online gambling portal that specializes in online casino reviews and online gambling news. Be on the lookout for objective and unbiased content, while paying special attention to the software reviews. A great example of this type of content can be found in the online casino reviews at OnlineCasinoSuite.
 
 
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