Yesterday we explained how legal sports betting continues to gain popularity, but even with these trends, there are tons of illegal gambling websites out there. The problem with these sites is that you really have no idea which ones are legitimate, and you have little recourse when things go wrong.

This article by Richard N. Velotta in the Las Vegas Review-Journal shines a light on the problem. Velotta explains how the American Gaming Association has made it a priority to encourage the public to bet responsibly with licensed operators and avoid illegal offshore websites. Despite this, illegal gambling websites continue to operate and can be difficult to track down and shut down. He describes the case of a Canadian gambler who has been unable to collect his winnings on a $225,000 jackpot he won playing blackjack on BetOnLine.ag, an internet domain in Antigua. Read the story and you’ll see the details.

Why do betters still use illegal gambling websites?

There are plenty of reasons why these sites are still in business.

Firstly, you have to consider that betting hasn’t been legalized everywhere, so many betters are still shut out of the legal betting market depending on their state of residence or jurisdiction.

Secondly, illegal gambling websites often offer better odds and higher payouts than their legal counterparts. This can be attractive to bettors looking to maximize their winnings, even if it means breaking the law. This also applies to local bookies.

Thirdly, illegal gambling websites are often more accessible and convenient than legal options. While legal sports betting may be limited to certain states or require in-person registration, illegal websites can be accessed from anywhere and may only require a few clicks to place a bet. Without the shackles of regulation they make it easier for everyone to play.

Lastly, some individuals may simply prefer to use illegal gambling websites out of habit or loyalty. They may have been using these websites for years and may be hesitant to switch to a legal option.

Enforcement is difficult

The reality is that illegal gambling websites can be difficult to track and shut down. These websites can operate offshore or use various tactics to hide their location and ownership, making it challenging for law enforcement agencies to investigate and prosecute them. This problem also stems from the silly and ineffective laws intended to stop gambling in places like the United States. We now have more rational regulatory policies, but it will take a while for this to have a broad effect on the market.

Stay away

While legal sports betting has expanded across the United States, illegal gambling websites remain a problem due to the benefits and accessibility they offer. If you live in a jurisdiction where legal gambling is permitted, you’re foolish to stick with an illegal website. It is crucial for every person who plays online to know exactly with whom they are playing and to stay away from those operating illegally. Otherwise, you’ll have little recourse when you get screwed over.

We’ve all been there. You’re playing blackjack and some idiot at the table keep making idiotic decisions. And sometimes those decisions negatively affect your hand. If you’re betting big dollars, that can really hurt.

More often than not, someone at the table will get really pissed off at the novice player, and that often leads to silly shouting matches.

Avoid being the angry player at all costs.

This scene from the television show “Entourage” offers a good example of why you shouldn’t get angry.

Vince and the gang head to Las Vegas when Vince is offered $100,000 to host a party. Ari comes along with them, and he and Vince agree to split winnings and losses. Vince loves blackjack and has a knack for it. Plus he doesn’t get frazzled easily, even when he loses the $100,000 and more. Ari is a maniac, so he’s going cray watching Vince try to make a comeback.

Things come to a head when Vince gets a pair of eights. He splits, get another eight, splits again, and then gets a three, which leads him to double down. The hand is worth over $300,000.

Meanwhile, the idiot player at the end of the table decides to split kings. Naturally, Ari freaks out and yells at him, while the guys pulls two tens, which easily could have been the bust cards for the deal, who had a three showing.

But the dealer flops over an eight, and would have had 21 had the idiot not split his tens. Instead, the dealer draws another three instead, before pulling another ten to bust.

The lesson is simple. The idiots, can just as easily help your hand as they can hurt your hand. You’ll always remember the hands where they hurt you, but they can help as well. It’s all random, so don’t let it bother you.

Which leads to the next lesson. Getting angry is never helpful when you’re gambling. You want to strip out your emotions, not get distracted by them.

Just watch lunatic Ari in this clip. Of course the guy is a caricature of an emotional gambler, but you never want to be anything close to that.

Part of the fun of being a high roller is just the ability to let go and enjoy the ride. You can bring a big stack to the casino and life isn’t going to change at all if you blow it. The same goes for the ordinary gambler who wins a big parlay early in a casino trip and then lives like a high roller for a while with those winnings.

The key of course, as with most things in life, is knowing when to stop. This may be tricky, as we can all get a little wild when we’re in the zone. But there’s a difference between wild excess and sheer stupidity.

Which brings us to the latest example of high rollers taking things way too far. This story takes us to the historic city of London where one can find plenty of ways to enjoy your vices. A 62-year old gentlemen went on a 72-hour gambling bender which resulted in separating himself from £3.9 million of his net worth. That’s around 10% of his claimed net worth, so naturally this one stung a bit. Can you imagine losing that much money playing baccarat? It’s absurd.

Of course, lawyers have gotten involved, and the gambler is suing the casino, basically alleging that they let him play to long and shirked their responsibilities under the 2005 Gambling Act.

He may or may not have a case. That’s really not the point here. Stuff like this should never happen if you have even just a little self-control. Learn some basic self-discipline.

Again, being rich gives you the opportunity to act like a brainless high roller, but is there any limit for you?

For many of us, this wouldn’t be a problem. Few people would take things this far. But we all have our weak moments, and for some of us, this type of behavior is a real risk factor.

One of the best ways to prevent this type of fiasco is to have trusted friends around. Now that might be difficult for some high roller types who crave excess. At some point your real friends start to peel away when you act like this. The yes-men and enablers hang on and encourage the irresponsible behavior. If this sounds familiar, then you know you need to get back to having real friends around you. The types of friends who will make you stop playing.

Another trick is having a hot, horny girlfriend or sugar baby who wants to take care of you back in your room. That’s always more fun than the gambling part . . . pick your vices well!

And of course, then best way to handle this is to get some help. If you’re edging toward this type of behavior, find a counselor who will teach you ways to develop discipline and self-control.

Good luck!

Playing slot games is a great way to get your heart pumping.

But one question remains unanswered: which is better, online slots or real machines?

For convenience: online slots.

Perhaps the most obvious benefit of playing online games is the ability to play anywhere, anytime. Avoid the hassle and expense of travelling to an actual casino and instead enjoy easy access to your favourite slots on your laptop, tablet or mobile.

Being able to play slot games on your phone also helps you spend much less than you likely would in a real gambling venue. You can easily stop and log out when you’ve reached your budget, rather than feeling a need to keep on playing simply because you’re stuck inside a casino and the night’s still young.

For gameplay experience: real slots.

Realistic graphics, exciting soundtracks and engaging bonus rounds are just some of the features of online slots designed to capture a player’s attention. Just like book lovers who prefer real pages between their fingertips over e-readers, many argue the tactile feel of playing on an actual slot machine makes for a more immersive gameplay experience. This is further improved by the new technologies available for land-based machines. Take the game Sphinx 3D for instance. It offers a totally 3D experience for an unrivalled level of realism, not to mention a connected multimedia chair to provide convincing sound effects and authentic motions.

For new players: online slots.

Casinos carry an undeniable sense of excitement in the air. It’s almost impossible to create the same kind of thrill and glamour in your own home.

But if you’re a new player looking to find your feet in the slot world, all the ringing bells, flashing lights and hardcore gamblers could prove daunting. Playing online is an easy way to get yourself into the slot scene without being overwhelmed.

What’s more, many sites allow you to play some of their slot games in demo mode for free. This helps you to pick up the basics before risking your own cash.

For game choice: online slots.

Land-based casinos often have new game titles not yet available online. However, space on the casino floor is always going to be limited. Old games are frequently removed to clear space for newer models, meaning your go-to favourites are always at risk of being replaced.

Online casinos are different. Not only are they able to offer a more extensive selection of slots, but they also make it easier for you to browse the games available. There’s no need to walk up and down the casino floor to find your favourite title. Simply type it into a search bar and – hey presto! – you’ve found it.

For winning potential: online slots.

Before your start spinning on any slot game, it’s a good idea to check the Return to Player (RTP). The RTP refers to what you can expect to get back playing the game over time. For example, if you’re spinning on a slot with a 96% RTP, for every £100 in £1 bets you place over a given period, you can expect to get back £96; so, though it’s not an exacting science, you’ll theoretically win more on games with a higher RTP.

The difference between the RTP of online and actual machines is quite substantial. Land-based slots typically offer 70% – 80%, whilst their online counterparts are usually in the region of 93% – 98%.

For bonuses: online slots.

All casinos want to keep you playing.

Real casinos do this by offering membership to returning patrons. This provides you with a few extra perks or bonuses, but it’s little compared to what you can get on the internet.

To stand out in a crowded market, where players can quickly and easily sign up to competitors in just a few clicks, online casinos know they need to provide generous welcome offers, frequent promotions, loyalty rewards and bucket-loads of free spins. This is great news for you, as it means there are always a great selection of generous sites to choose from.

Our verdict

Whilst the occasional night out in a casino is exciting, if you’re a more regular slot player, we’d recommend online slots at bgo over real machines. You’ll benefit from a greater selection of titles, easier access to games and (most probably) better pay-outs.

Now politicians like Rick Perry, Nikki Haley and Bobby Jindal are jumping at the chance to impress Mr. Moneybags by coming out strongly against online gambling.

If you believe that the government should stay out of entertainment decisions made by citizens, can you support these clowns?