Why Online Gambling Continues to Grow

Gambling has been with us since ancient times. Gambling online is a relatively new phenomenon and one that seems to be growing in popularity on a daily basis. Take a look at these facts:

* The first online gambling site was launched in August 1995. It is currently estimated that there are well over 2,000 Internet gambling Web sites offering various wagering options, including sports betting, casino games, lotteries and bingo.

* Internet gambling revenue in 2005 was estimated at $11.9 billion and is projected to double by 2010, according to Christiansen Capital Advisors (CCA).

So what is it about the online casino phenomenon that has so enticed gamblers? Perhaps it is the virtue of it simply being online. There are so many attractions to not having to attend a casino to gamble. The most prominent of these is the intimidation. Online gambling opens up a whole host of games to players who previously never had the courage or interest in observing tables in a land based casino.

Then it is the choice of games. The number of games and their varieties online are astounding. Poker, blackjack, roulette or sports gambling, online casinos offer them all. Lets take a look at a few of them:

Online poker has been partly responsible for a dramatic increase in the number of poker players worldwide. For the year of 2005, revenues from online poker were estimated at US$200 million per month.

Blackjack, also known as twenty-one or Pontoon, is one of the most popular casino card games in the world. Much of blackjack's popularity is due to the mix of chance with elements of skill, and the publicity that surrounds card counting The slot machine typically pays off based on patterns of symbols visible on the front of the machine when it stops. Modern computer technology has resulted in many variations on the slot machine concept.

The freedom of time and money are added attractions. The online casinos are relatively inexpensive to operate in terms of staff being paid, so they are able to offer players free games. Entering a blackjack room in an online casino is very different to approaching a blackjack table in a land based casino. The speed and intimidation can be high when playing in a ritzy casino. Crucial decisions are made quickly and on the spot. At home, the player is able to slow down and play only when they are ready.

Sadly, with such a growth in popularity has come many online gambling hoaxes. Illegitimate and cheating websites are present on the net and can be deceiving. The most important things to remember when gambling online are the three elements of consideration, prize and chance. All three should be present.

The problem with online gambling is that it is far harder to control. The industry that has to protect itself from the dangers of compulsive gamblers. In the virtual world, this is hard to enforce. A customer is able to sit in their own living room, in whatever state they choose to be in and at whatever age and gamble as much as they desire.

Caution seems to be the only key. Gambling has always been a controversial subject; gambling on the internet is simply an extension of this controversy.

Casino Path is a comprehensive guide to online casino gambling. We strive to provide consumers with up to date honest information and evaluations of the online casino industry. You can learn more at Casino Path.com

Compulsive Gambler Continues Down Self Destructive Path With Little Hopes To Stop Gambling

Everyday I here of compulsive gamblers who are continuing to gamble even though they have tried one recovery program or another. This is a story of a compulsive gambler named Robert who relapsed over and over again until he found the right recovery program.

Robert a compulsive gambler from the United States relapsed more then ten times in the last three years. He continues to search for a stop gambling recovery program.

He questioned what made him go back to the casino after he abstained for at least three weeks or more? One day he realized that the gambling establishment's use of subtle subliminal advertising was what brought him back time and time again. This was a major break through for Robert. Understanding this helped him to break his negative repetitive pattern.

He remembers driving to work at eight in the morning. The news came on and announced there was a hundred thousand dollar winner last night at the Casino. Then they continued to talk about it and continuously repeat the words "someone has to win maybe that would be you." That's all Robert needed to hear. He called in sick and headed straight to the casino. He arrived and two hours later he lost a thousand dollars. He was depressed and very emotional. He had no idea how this happened again.

It's unfortunate but he continued to go down a self destructive path that seems impossible for him to ever escape from. Besides the mounting debt, his self esteem decreased as each day passed. Robert was trapped. He knows gambling is no good for him

I have known gamblers to put thousands of dollars in one slot machine believing it will turn around. It's doesn't happen often, but just suppose the gambler hits for five thousand dollars. At that moment in time, the gambler feels great. He now believes there's nothing they can't do. It doesn't matter if they sat at that slot machine for five hours. Then with out realizing it a few hours later they lost all the money they had just won. After leaving they would head home and ask themselves how? Robert had done this hundreds of times only to go back again and again.

Robert was determined to stop gambling but he kept asking himself "How did this happen again? He once stopped for three months. During this period he was more financially sound and more relaxed and very content with his family. Out of nowhere he received a four hundred dollar gift certificate to the gift shop at the local gambling establishment Christmas holiday. When he opened it, it made his day. He wanted to buy his wife something nice. She was very proud of him and believed he was on the road to recovery. With out telling his wife, Robert jumped in the car and head to the gambling establishment. As he arrived, he had the biggest adrenaline rush. He parked his car and headed directly to the gift shop and purchased a nice bracelet. As he headed out the door and back to his car he thought maybe just one bet. He fought with himself for about five minutes which seemed like hours. He went back in and the next thing he realized he lost over two thousand dollars.

Robert decided it was time to stop. He was so ashamed of himself. He was now determined to stop. He found a self help manual and a private chat room and the rest is one day at a time. He's learned to confront these triggers and move forward. The I Stopped Gambling website helped him to move forward and deal with his gambling addiction head on.

Mr. Howard Keith has an extensive background in dealing with compulsive gamblers, relatives and friends of gamblers and teenage gamblers. Mr. Keith believes there are many alternatives to aid in the recovery of a gambling addiction verses a twelve step program. A large percentage of his emails were from compulsive gamblers looking for an alternative to Gamblers Anonymous and twelve step programs. Gamblers Anonymous also helps a significant number of people each year but there is a large percentage that they are unable to reach.

For more information on gambling addiction and stop gambling you can check out: I Stopped Gambling So Can You http://www.istoppedgambling.com/ and the site: Teenage Gambling Addiction website [http://www.teenage-gambling-addiction.org/].