In this era of instant gratification with little or no effort, be it microwaveable dinners, DVDs by post or lottery scratch cards, it is hardly surprising that the advent of speedy broadband is leading to a rapid rise in online gambling. British players of Internet games are estimated to have increased by 45% last year, with at least 3.2 million Internet users visiting a gaming website. Gambling has never been so easy or attractive - so many games, so many sports and such a variety of bets.

The betting exchanges revolutionised the ‘art’ of gambling in Britain and as Betfair, a prime example of a betting exchange, states: You can bet that an outcome will happen (back) or that it won't happen (lay); You can choose the odds you want to play at; You can bet whilst the game is in play. No wonder the bookmakers on the high street are concerned – the discerning betting public likes the odds and the instantaneous betting opportunity offered by the betting exchanges.

Spread betting arrived in Britain from America around the 1980s. It provides more excitement than a straight win/lose, as it is a gamble on an outcome being above or below the ‘spread’ such as the estimated number of goals in a soccer match. Spread betting can cover different types of events both live and long-term. Money can even be made by having accounts with more than one spread betting firm and selling/buying with one and reversing with the other, known as Arbitrage. This requires both research and patience, so would not qualify in the instant gratification stakes!

PartyGaming has reportedly seen the number of its online poker players rise 65% in the fourth quarter of 2005, and revenue reach US$320 million. Around 33% of new customers were from outside the US, a trend that will please the company, as online gambling by US citizens is still legally debateable. Playing of online casino games has also been boosted by a successful blackjack campaign.

From around the world the financial markets, sports from the popular to the obscure, politics, poker, casino games and even ‘special’ bets are all available somewhere for a wager; a gamble is an increasingly popular and socially acceptable activity. The fact that it can all be done in an instant without leaving home will ensure that online gambling goes from strength to strength – the British government and major financial institutions are betting on it.
(E-01.27.06)

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