Virtual casinos but the money's real

By PETER GRIFFIN

Aaah, the neon glow and crushed velvet of the casino. The clatter of coins as poker machines release their golden treasure. The silver ball dancing across the roulette wheel. Real casinos are big on atmosphere, something their cyber equivalents are trying hard to replicate.

The gambling scene in New Zealand has changed markedly since the days when a night at the trots and a Golden Kiwi ticket were the extent of the country's betting options. Today's online punter is no longer limited by national borders. Video poker, horse racing, craps and the United States superbowl are just some of the options. If there's an element of chance involved, you can be sure someone is betting on it in cyberspace.

Is it legal?


Australians are among the world's most enthusiastic gamblers but have to head abroad to bet on anything but sports and the horses.

The only official betting site based in New Zealand is the TAB's site, which offers sports and racing betting on mainly local and Australian events, but won't accept bets from US-based punters.

No local online casinos exist as the law does not permit them. But New Zealanders over 18 can venture online to the 1400 cybercasinos and a similar number of wagering and miscellaneous betting sites, according to the Department of Internal Affairs.

Is it safe?


Remember that on overseas sites local laws will not apply to your online transactions. Make a bee-line for the website's information page, which will usually warn you to "check your local laws" before reaching for your credit card.

A cluster of countries, usually based in the Caribbean and South Pacific, have become home to many online casino operators. They pay a licence fee which may cost a few hundred thousand dollars and take advantage of a zero tax rate. The inability of online casinos to compete with zero tax has led most of the e-gambling community to head for the islands. Antigua, Grenada and Costa Rica are popular casino outposts.

Thus we have the enchanting www.kiwicasino.com, an online arm of the Christchurch Casino, operating out of Antigua but clearly with a local flavour. "Play for real casino excitement deep in the exotic sub-tropical rain forests of New Zealand," the site exclaims.

Fewer than 2 per cent of New Zealand adults have a flutter on foreign betting sites, but that is expected to grow as gamblers become more comfortable with online payment methods.

Where are the best bets?


For security reasons and because the jackpots will usually be bigger, it's best to stick to the established players. Try William Hill or Ladbrokes. Play for fun at the more familiar Hurrahs. Antigua-based www.intercasino.com claims to be the biggest cybercasino, having paid out over $US3 billion to players. It has a 97.5 per cent payout rate. Following the crowd, around 2.3 million people have visited www.gamingclub.com.

Wagering (sports betting) sites are numerous. League and Aussie rules fans can place bets at Australian sites like Canbet and Centrebet. UK-centric Victor Chandler or www.sportsbook.com cater to the sporting range. If you've passed through Nevada and are nostalgic for the vibrant energy of the Vegas strip, you'll find the casino giants have moved online as well. The MGM Mirage has one of the more sophisticated sites, www.wagerworks.com.

A new online betting concept at www.flutter.com lets you "set your own odds and tempt other fans to take you on." Bet on whether Britain's Conservative Party will change its name or who will be evicted next from the Big Brother household.

Because fancy flash and shockwave graphics replace expensive casino interior design, themed casinos are easy to create and cater to the gambler who doesn't want to sit in any tacky old gaming hall.

Sink some money at the electronic pokies at www.casino-titanic.com. But if you prefer you can find sites where men can ogle as they gamble, sites just for women such as Womens's Vegas, gay casinos and more. Online there's something for everyone.

What will I need?


A computer with a connection to the internet is a good start. Cybercasinos are split fairly evenly between Java-based sites which allow you to play the house games via your web browser and sites that require you to download software. Downloading can be time-consuming but allows richer graphics and sound effects and a more realistic game.

Sites such as Virtual Vegas and Gambling Palace will let you play free, giving you the opportunity to brush up on your card skills. But to play for real you will need to register with the site, receive an account number and password and hand over the obligatory credit card number.

Technology is also making it easier for you to play your hand by mobile phone. Sign up at www.casinodomain.com and pass the time during your bus ride to work with a few hands of blackjack. You can buy electronic lotto tickets with your wap phone at Liechtenstein-based Plus Lotto.

Casino chat rooms also allow you to boast about your latest win or plead for Caribbean stud tips.

Is my money secure?


It's strictly "money up front" when your start placing bets online. Credit card payment is the most popular option, but some casinos will accept wire transfers of funds or even mailed cheques. Cybercash is becoming more popular as well, with companies like Paypal and Firepay offering encrypted cash transaction services to casino operators.

If you're paranoid about giving your credit card details to any online outfit but the Amazons and eBays of this world, topping up your e-gambling account can be nerve racking.

By its nature, the internet is always going to afford firms plying their trade across cyberspace the luxury of anonymity. Dodgy casino operators have been known to hijack reputable brands like Harrah's.

To be doubly sure who is running the websites you intend to spend your money at, check out who owns the domain names at sites like www.register.com and www.networksolutions.com. E-gambling watchdog sites like The Casino Monitor and Rolling Good Times with its "Dog Doo Awareness" section list recommended and blacklisted sites.

Is it better than the real thing?

You won't get Siegfried and Roy doing their lion act every night of the week or ZZ Top providing the cocktail bar entertainment, but then you don't have to travel to Las Vegas to join in.

Casinos are expensively decked out to thrill those who pass through their doors. The Vegas strip boasts pyramids and volcanoes to pull the crowds. You'll miss out on the lounge acts, but play your own CDs or MP3s in the background to put yourself in the gambling mood. No pushing to gain a seat at the blackjack table. You're the guest of honour, with your own roulette wheel and dedicated croupier.

And there's no dress code. Play in your holey jeans or your birthday suit. You'll never get turned away for wearing white trainers

While high stakes rollers won't be treated to free drinks or a night at the casino hotel, cybercasinos offer their own perks. Usually they come in the form of a $20 or $50 credit when you sign up. Some also offer you a bonus percentage on winnings if you bet high stakes. These things you'll certainly not get in most regular casinos unless you're a platinum card, high-valued loser.

What about problem gambling?


Even online casinos couldn't stay in business if their customers didn't lose big some of the time. Anti-gambling groups point out that the net allows easier access for underaged gamblers using an adult's credit card. They also argue that online casino games create a false sense of reality. Online it doesn't seem like you're losing real money until your credit card bill turns up.

Fortunately, online help and advice is only a click away at Compulsive Gambling Society or at Gamblers Anonymous with its free e-mail counselling.

Links:


TAB

Dept of Internal Affairs

KiwiCasino

William Hill Casino

Ladbrokes

Hurrahs

Intercasino

Gaming Club

Canbet

Centrebet

Victor Chandler

Sportsbook

Wagerworks

Flutter

Casino-Titanic

Women's Vegas

Virtual Vegas

Gambling Palace

Casino Domain

Plus Lotto

Register.com

Network Solutions

The Casino Monitor

Rolling Good Times

Compulsive Gambling Society

Gamblers Anonymous