Each week Steve Adkins reports on the good, the bad, and the ugly in the online gambling scene. WINNERonline welcomes feedback on Adkins' remarks from both players and casinos. Send your comments to reception@winneronline.com. Your comments may be published.

Internet gambling can be as fun and exciting as a real casino. Instead of waiting for your lucky machine, you can just log on and play.

While this multibillion dollar industry grows at a substantial rate, it does remain non-regulated. The industry depends solely on self-regulation.

Before whipping out your gold Visa card there are a few things that you should know first. When looking for an online casino to play, I recommend that you follow the ten points below. (Of course, the very first thing you should do is join the Online Players Association. Get details at www.onlineplayersassociation.com.)

1. Is the casino licensed by a sovereign government? If no, find another casino.

2. Does the casino have a toll free customer service number that is answered 24 hours a day? If no, find another casino.

3. Do they allow you to play for free? This is very important: it gives you the chance to check out their software before you spend any money. If they do not, find another casino.

4. What is the smallest denomination of their poker and slot machines? You're looking for a wide variety of denominations, such as nickels, quarters, dollars and five-dollar machines.

5. How many different versions of video poker do they have? You're looking for at least three. That tells you that the operator has spent a lot of money on the software. Beware of those casinos that tell you they only have one version of video poker.

6. What is the smallest and largest bet that they accept on craps or blackjack? This is mainly for your own betting information.

7. Does the casino have a place where they keep track of your purchases and cashouts?

8. How is the customer service? There's an easy way to test this: Send them an email with a question and see how long it takes them to reply.

9. What is the reputation of the software maker involved in the casino? There is no sense in gambling online if you do not know how you will collect your winnings.

10. Make sure you read all the rules on bonuses and cashing out procedures. Do your homework before you gamble online, not after.

Before you wager one dime, call the casino's toll free customer service number and ask the following question, "If I buy in with my credit card for $100 but cash out $300, how will I get paid?"

Beware of those casinos that tell you they will send you a check. Be sure to ask how long it takes. Most casinos that send checks take up to 4 weeks. That is unacceptable unless the site clearly states the time frame for receiving your money!

The only answer that you are looking for is that they will, within 3 days, credit back your credit card up to the original amount of purchase, then give you an option of mailing you a check overnight or doing a wire transfer into your account.

If you use these very basic common sense methods of checking out a casino it will save you a lot of problems in the end. And it would even cut down on the number of complaints that I receive on a daily basis. Don't just give your credit card number to the first casino you find. Please use your brain when picking a casino.

Steve Adkins
President, OPA

The Online Players Association is an association of casino owners, forum managers, and online players working to "cleanup" the industry, assist mutual parties in earning complete trust, and establish integrity for us all. For more information, or to join the OPA, go to www.onlineplayersassociation.com

You can hear Steve Adkins' webcast at www.casinogazette.com