There are no limitations to the number of transactions that an online punter can place and you can therefore place thousands of bets simultaneously (if you so desired!) whereas traditional bookies can only take a few dozen bets at the same time. This results in radically lower costs for the online bookie that can be, and usually is, passed on to the punters. It is passed on through sign-up bonuses, special betting options, VIP points, referral bonuses, reload bonuses and monthly incentive plans that a traditional bookie could not possibly execute and therefore do not offer. This is particularly true in terms of competitions as the low profit margin of traditional bookies and casinos often prevents them from offering such incentives for sports betting.

As well as all this, online sports betting sites give punters greater access to informative resources, as well as betting opportunities that are not dependent on location – the world is your oyster when it comes to placing a bet now! The punter can also bet on multiple events from any computer that has access to the internet. You can use the internet to research teams or races, find the best odds, place your bet, and register on a betting site – it is all within reach at the touch of a button and can be done in the fraction of the time it would take to get to and place a bet with a traditional bookie.

Of course convenience is the major draw for online sports betting, especially given the fact that there will always be something to bet on at an online betting site. Even if there are no events to bet on (highly unlikely!) most online sports betting sites will have poker rooms or casinos attached to them (like Ladbrokes Bookmaker and Paddy Power Bookmakers) to allow the opportunity for betting.

Choosing your site is the most important aspect of getting comfortable with online betting. You will never enjoy it if you don’t feel secure with the site or enjoy the quality of the design of the site, so it is important to look around for what will suit you best. Also ensure that your site provides knowledgeable customer service agents who can deal with any questions that you may have. Along the same lines some sites have chatrooms where punters can get together to discuss games, teams or horses, so if you enjoy the social aspect of placing a bet then these are the kinds of sites for you!

Speaking at the AGM of the Remote Gambling Association Mr Godbold urged the industry to ‘blow its own trumpet more’  in terms of  the work operators have undertaken of their own volition to counter problem gambling over the last 10 years.

He said: “This is one area where the gambling industry is unique.  The drinks industry doesn’t look after its problem drinkers and the retail industry doesn’t look after problem shoppers.The gambling industry has funded, set-up and run the whole operation for problem gamblers.”

On another note the UK’s Labour government has been labelled vindictive and out of touch with its working class roots during a Parliamentary debate on bingo taxation. The blistering attack from Tory MP Philip Davies came when he questioned the motives behind the increase in bingo tax to 22 per cent in the last Budget. He argued that increased taxation will lead to more club closures, with 29 ceasing to trade already this year, and the consequent devasting effects felt by the communities they served.