For many people who are unfamiliar with and new to casino gambling, and who consequently don't know where to turn to get truthful and accurate information, the whole entire virtual gaming landscape can seem like something of a Wild Wild West. Unfortunately, it's the government bodies of several countries, who in trying to protect their own gambling monopolies and carved out financial niches, have largely perpetuated this misunderstanding. Indeed, much of the notions that new players have about the online gambling industry are misconceptions.

Contrast to some claims that online casinos do not have responsible gaming practices in place, nor have any technical means to prevent and stop addictive and underage gambling, the properly regulated online casinos of today actually have a better means of protecting players than do land-based casinos. In case you haven't heard, an increasing number of governments are beginning to regulate online gambling, as it has become apparent that internet betting is a safe and secure pastime, which as a direct result, continues to grow by leaps and bounds.

The UK Gambling Act is a prime example of legislation that effectively regulates internet betting and a proliferation of outstanding UK online casinos. Other countries doing the same are South Africa, Italy and an increasing number of European countries to varying extents. France has become the latest powerhouse country to clarify a need for embracing online gambling regulation. Even the U.S. is now showing promising signs to study internet betting and pass the Internet Gambling Regulation and Enforcement Act.

Obviously, there is still a ways to go in universalizing online gambling regulation. However, thanks to innovative technologies employed by the leading online casino software companies of today, like Microgaming, Playtech, Cryptlogic, Rival Gaming, RTG, Vegas Technology and Wager Works, the online gambling landscape now more closely mirrors a virtual Las Vegas under the domain of the Nevada Gaming Commission...but even better.

At today's best online casinos, you can find odds better than what you'll get in downtown Las Vegas. You'll also find a larger selection of casino games. According to the popular online gambling portal, Online Casino Suite, some internet casinos now offer over 250 casino games under one virtual roof. You'll even find larger progressive jackpots. Many of these casinos are networked together by a single software platform, resulting in multi-million dollar jackpots that have indeed made several millionaires to date. In fact, at the time of writing this, the popular progressive video slot, Mega Moolah, which is available at Microgaming casinos, dished out a $5 million plus jackpot to one player. Still, other gaming sites host their own poker rooms, bingo rooms and sports betting platforms.

The only question that remains is where to find the safe and secure online casinos, because as I said, there is still a ways to go in enforcing universal regulatory standards. In other words, there are still plenty of crooks and rogue casinos out there who have managed to slip through the cracks and cheat players, whether discreetly or blatantly. Thanks to independent, not-for-profit regulatory authorities like eCommerce Online Gaming Regulation and Assurance (eCOGRA), who is endorsed by the UK government, strict standards are now being more universally enforced, including player advocacy. eCOGRA awards a Safe and Fair Seal to online casino operators who abide by minimum standards in responsible gaming, which include meeting minimum payout percentages, providing fast and secure payment methods and operating a full-time customer service branch trained to identify and prevent problem gambling.

And to answer that question about where to turn to find the best places to wager money online, eCOGRA has an approved portals page. Online gambling portals are the place where many players turn for advice, including myself. All of this information shared here was gleamed from the top portals, primarily from the aforementioned OnlineCasinoSuite.com. Updated gambling news, online casino reviews, game tips and advice, bonus offers and more can all be found here. Give them a visit for even more information on what to look for in an online casino or bingo room, as well as both the legitimate and illegitimate sides to the internet betting industry.