Thanks to the internet, gambling has truly come of age and you don’t have to find your nearest betting-shop anymore to indulge yourself in a flutter, and ticking off results in a newspaper in front of the telly on a dreary Sunday afternoon has transformed into an online extravaganza.

Hundreds of virtual betting sites have come online in recent years as download speeds and software security have improved dramatically, and the technology is so sophisticated now that any real-life game can be played from the comfort of your home for instant cash prizes. Secure payment systems will transfer your winnings to your bank account at the click of a mouse.

The huge popularity of online gambling means that established High Street names such as Ladbrokes and William Hill are in competition with a host of purely internet-based enterprises, and they’re all after new customers. Their common tactic is to offer free bets to potential subscribers. To take advantage of these you must open an account with them and make an often small deposit, which they’ll match. It’s an effective and universal ploy, but it’s worth investigating a range of sites to check out what else they’re offering in the way of gambling opportunities as well as other facilities such as members’ advantages.

Find a site you’re comfortable with, then sign up and take advantage of the free bets to get started. Or play a few free games without risking any money first to get a feel for the way the site works.

Mar 29 2010