Internet Casinos

This is the most popular form of Internet gambling. Internet casinos offer a wide variety of games. These include spinning reel games (also known as slot games), table games, multi-player games etc.

Spinning reel games or slot games

Spinning reel games simulate spinning reel machines. There are two main categories of spinning reel games as below:

Three reel games
These games have three reels. They are available in single line and multi-lines formats.

Five reel games
These games have five reels. They are usually available in multi-line formats.

Additional functions offered by spinning reel games or slot games:

• Special features
• Free games and multipliers
• Double ups and gambles
• Substitutes
• Jackpots

Single and Multi-player systems

A number of casino games are available in single player and multi-player formats. In single player games the player plays against the casino. In multi-player games, the players play against each other. Examples of multi-player games are Card games, Bingo games etc.

Table games and non-table games

Table games are simulations of real table games in land based casinos. Examples are Baccarat, Roulette and common card games. Examples of non-table games are slot games, keno game etc.

Card games and non-card games

Card games simulate games with simulated cards using the same rules as normal card games. Examples of card games are Blackjack, Poker etc. These can be single player or multi-player games. In single player games the player plays against the casino while in multi-player games, the players play against each other.

Internet casino systems do not have any link to the computer systems of land based casino systems (even when these two are operated by the same casino operator). Hence Internet systems owned and operated by the same casino operator may not have the same level of fairness, reliability etc. Independent testing and certification of Internet gaming systems guarantee game fairness and accountability.

Internet Casino Clients

• Download client: The software for this client has to be downloaded from the gaming server and installed in the player's computer. Download client runs very fast and provide rich graphics and sound.
• Java client: There is no need to download anything from the gaming server. Java clients run on the web browser. However, it is slower and provides medium level of graphics and sound.
• HTML client: There is no need to download anything from the gaming server. HTML clients run faster than Java clients. However, they have poor graphics and sound capabilities.