How to become an online gambler - Safely

You may have decided to jump straight from the world of land based gambling to gambling online but there are risks which you need to aware of. Jumping in headfirst, without thinking about finding the safest options means you will probably not return to the world of online gambling, which is a shame as it has so much to offer! It is also risky to get lured into a gaming site just because of the promotions and bonuses it offers ? don't jump in without checking out the reputation of a company and the small print!

Gaming sites have to constantly attract new players, and needless to say, they are very good at it! There are many brilliant sites out there who have many happy and satisfied players, but not every site that claims to be the best is the best! So before you start playing make sure that the site you are playing on is reputable! Read articles from respected magazines which give unbiased information on the best gambling sites, and before you start playing for money make sure you talk to other players in forums and chatrooms ? they will give you firsthand (and honest) feedback about sites.

Only play on a site if you like it! A site may have had all the best reviews and feedback in the world, but if it isn't what you are looking for, then there is no point in playing on it. For example if you like all sorts of gambling ? poker, blackjack, betting on sports etc, but absolutely love playing bingo then maybe it's best to find a specialised site for bingo to play on separately from the casino sites. This also goes for graphics and page design ? does the site look like it has had a lot of time devoted to it or is it just thrown together? If something about the site makes you feel wary then why not call their customer services department to ask some questions, and see what kind of a response you get.

Once you have done all the preliminaries you will need to download any necessary gambling software onto your computer as a lot of sites now offer instant play software platforms such as Java and Flash in addition to the downloadable version.

Finally you will need to register with the site and fund your account. Fill out the registration form which will include such personal information as your name, address, email address, and your chosen username and password. It is at this point that most sites will allow you to play for fun before moving on to playing for money. Use this opportunity wisely ? it is best to learn before you play for real. To change to 'real' play, you need to deposit money into your account, which is usually a simple process ? pressing the deposit button. However the initial deposit usually involves a little bit more time ? you may have to visit the services website and open an account there, fund it and wait for the funds to clear into your new gambling account. This may seem like a bit of a hassle, but it is definitely worth it ? it is added security for the site and for you.

Once you have money in your account you start playing! Remember to keep your passwords and account information hidden away, and it is best to make a printout of all your transactions. When you are finished your session always remember to log out!