ABCs of online gambling
By Libby Wells • Bankrate.com

• When a player first visits a cyber-casino, the house usually lets him or her play a few games for free to see if the player likes the software.
  
  
• The user signs in as a customer and fills out a form with his or her credit card number, cash advance amount, name and address.
  
  
• When the player hits the send button, the data are transferred to the bank issuing the card for authorization.
  
  
• Once the transaction is approved, interest on the cash advance kicks in immediately and the bank charges an extra 3 percent of the advanced amount. The bank also collects an "interchange fee" of 2 percent to 5 percent from the merchant casino.
  
  
• If a player opens up a $200 account, for example, and wins back $75, that amount is credited back to the card. The credit shows up on your next statement.
  
  
• If winnings exceed the original bet, the amount is paid by a check usually issued outside the United States by an e-cash company.

Libby Wells is a freelance writer based in Florida

-- Updated: June 4, 2001