Offshore Gaming Update July 2007
What is the best site for offshore gambling?
Gambling is a leisure activity, and with so many sites to choose from, it's hard to know what's best for you. The first thing you need to know about offshore gambling sites is that they're products of differences in laws in different countries. So if you're from U.S.A. and looking for offshore gambling sites, you'll find out that they're illegal in the United States. The same rule applies to other countries.
Offshore gambling sites primarily differ from each other by their method of payment, country of operation and license. Almost all offshore gambling sites accept credit/debit cards and some of them also accept e-wallet services such as Paypal, Skrill and Neteller. Some online casinos offer unique bonus types like deposit bonuses or no deposit bonus cash. Other than basic casino games like Poker and Blackjack, you can find games like Keno, Scratch Cards, Slots etc., depending on the given website.
For convenience, some offshore gambling sites also offer a mobile version of their website. Some sites offer the same games for both desktop and mobile devices. Some of the online games are also available for iOS, Android and Windows Smartphone. Other than that, different offshore gambling sites have different websites. You can also choose from child friendly casinos or interfaces as well as language options like French, German etc., depending on the given site.
The next thing you need to consider when looking for an offshore gambling site is whether it has its own license or not. If so then there are certain guidelines which should be followed by the gaming establishment like maintaining adequate client financial protection services and ensuring fair play on all games involved at all times. These sites have to provide a valid physical address, as well as an email address on which you can contact them.
Offshore gambling sites offer bonuses for different reasons, and the most common reason is that they want to attract new customers with offers. Some other sites offer welcome bonuses or deposit matches to build loyalty among its users. Some casinos also offer bonuses for different actions performed by users on the site, such as using certain gaming features or using the casino's affiliate program. As mentioned before, some of these bonuses are not claimed automatically but have specific terms and conditions attached to them which might be time limited or restricted for some games only.
Players should take into account the time it takes to process a withdrawal before making a deposit. The timeframe in which the funds are processed partly depends on the method of payment chosen by the user. Most online casinos have their own internal systems and they might not be associated with payment processors like PayPal, Skrill or Neteller. It is better if you check with your banking institution regarding all applicable fees as charged by them and of course any penalty for early withdrawals from your personal bank account.
Whether you want to play for fun, for real money or both, there is something for everyone on an offshore gambling site. They offer a lot of games in a wide range of categories such as sports betting, poker, casino games etc. for a wide range of players. The environment and atmosphere is great in most offshore gambling sites. Most of the sites have great support services though some may be less than others. Being online gives them an advantage when it comes to customer support, as they can assess the needs and issues of a user much faster than in-person casinos.
Oct 10, 2011 | Legal Lad - Offshore Gambling Facts by Beau Hughes
Offshore Online Gambling: What's legal? - April 6, 2012 The internet and online gaming have made it easier than ever for U.S. citizens to gamble offshore or even win real money by playing online poker or video slot machines while residing in another country such as Costa Rica. However, U.S. citizens still cannot gamble online for money using U.S. bank deposits. Deposits to offshore gambling sites are made with the use of credit/debit cards or certain online e-wallet services such as Paypal, Skrill and Neteller. The reason why U.S. banking laws prevent U.S citizens from playing offshore gambling games with US deposits is because the Department of the Treasury has designated gaming companies as high-risk . When it comes to offshore gambling, there are some caveats in place that may be confusing if you're new to this world . It is legal to gamble online for real money while residing outside the United States, however it is illegal to use US-based payment methods, so you can't purchase or deposit money into an offshore gambling account. This automatically makes the websites that accept this form of payment illegal by U.S. standards . In fact, the Department of Justice has stated that "offshore Internet gambling is a felony offense punishable by up to 5 years in prison and $250,000 in fines" for U.S. citizens . The only exceptions are Indian tribal reservations and military bases where some forms of online gaming are allowed . While U.S. citizens cannot deposit money into offshore gambling sites, it is acceptable to play for free - which is the case for most poker sites . Some offshore casinos also offer no-deposit bonuses for new players and some permit U.S. players to withdraw winnings from real-money games after having made a qualifying deposit before . Playing online poker for real money that's stored on an offshore site such as PokerStars is legal, however playing at a U.S.-based online poker room like Full Tilt Poker or PartyPoker is illegal . This is because all three of these companies have become popular among U.S. citizens, making them high-interest targets for law enforcement officials . The U.S government has been investigating online poker sites and has sued or tried to shut down several offshore gaming companies that are not located in an Indian reservation or military base . In order to find out more about the laws and regulations in other countries, you can always visit the websites of the country's appropriate financial regulators or gambling authorities . For example, the Financial Services Commission of Malta confirms on its website that it is "not a regulator of Internet gambling services provided from within Malta." However, you can play for money at two popular online casinos located in Malta - Betfair Casino and AlderneyOnline Casino.
Conclusion
There is no denying that online gambling has changed the world of gambling and completely revolutionized how people gamble on a daily basis. As for the United States, the U.S. Treasury Department has designated the companies that deal in online gambling as high-risk , meaning that you are not allowed to deposit money in an account at an offshore casino or place your bets with real money. The only exceptions are Indian tribal reservations and military bases where some forms of online gaming are allowed .