There have always been arguments against online casinos and while many relate to issues such as security, others look at value for money. On the security issue, online casinos are simply another form of online shopping and on today’s internet if you do business with those that have developed good reputations then your money is going to be safe. When it comes to value for money, in many cases it’s in the eye of the user since everyone has different ideas of value.

What is not often factored into the equation are the hidden costs. Online casinos have few ‘hidden’ costs. The most notable cost is that charged by your financial institution when you transfer money to or from an online casino. The only other cost that could be factored in is your internet connection. Every other cost is clearly labeled – in fact, for most online casinos the only cost your likely to face is the buying of betting chips and you can cash them back at the end of the session.

Now compare this to offline casinos. The costs associated with an offline casino can be large. If you drive, you have associated costs such as petrol and parking – and parking can cost upwards of £20-£30 for the afternoon or evening. Once you’re in the casino, you can then buy refreshments of some description.

Of course, there is one component where you can’t put a monetary value and that’s the social factor. There’s no doubt that offline casinos are more social than online casinos. However, the gap is closing with online casinos also including chat interfaces that enable you to chat with other players – bingo is a good example of this.

Do online casinos offer better value? When it comes to pure monetary costs – they win hands down. If you’re after a social experience then an offline casino is the place to be. For many, that social experience is also a distraction from the serious business of playing poker or blackjack. If that’s you then online casinos are definitely your best bet.