The house wife who fancies a flutter on the Grand National, or the serious gambler who is looking for a high stakes poker game no longer have to move from the comfort of their own home.

It's not necessary to travel to take your chance on the roulette wheel. As well as major bookmakers being able to take bets online, there are also internet sites which are virtual gaming halls and casinos.

It seems that you can place a bet on virtually any event or play any game of chance from your own computer.

Many people are concerned that perhaps for the compulsive gambler, it is too easy and that young people who would not normally be eligible to join a gaming club, for example, can participate through the internet.

Until fairly recently, in many countries around the world, it was illegal to gamble or place bets. Gambling took place in secret with ever-changing venues in order to avoid discovery by the authorities. Socially, punters were looked down on. Gradually gambling began to be accepted and in the U.K. the bookie's runners found themselves redundant as bookmaker's offices were allowed to operate legally. It used to be the case that the bookmakers took bets on horse and greyhound racing but as gambling has become more accepted and the "shops" have become more comfortable and open so the range of possibilities has grown.

As well as the introduction of one-armed-bandits and other gaming machines, it seems that bookmakers will accept bets on the outcome of just about any event

Gaming halls and casinos that offer dining and bar facilities attract those looking for an enjoyable night out, not just the serious gamblers.

A selection of some
things that people
bet on: