Experts estimate that Internet gambling could be a $10 billion business by year 2000. Is it legal? Is it legitimate? For those who can't wait for Bill wood to cover gambling in his law column, review the legality issue at the Law Journal Extra's section on Internet gambling. 

Legit is a different issue. Most Internet gambling sites are offshore, or in places such as Gibraltar, Liechtenstein and the Carribean. Without the protective regulations governing real-word casinos, bettors worry whether the odds are stacked in favor of the house and whether they can cash in if they win. The online casinos themselves require money up front from players, many insisting on wire transfers or cash advances on credit cards so that losers can't cancel or dispute charges. 

 I tested my luck at Super Casino, licensed in Dominica. They have free games that you can try before you commit real money - roulette, blackjack, slots, video poker and mini- baccarat. - all using java script. I lost my virtual shirt at the free roulette wheel. 

The Kenny Rogers Casino, licensed in the Netherlands Antilles, requires that you download free software, but then allows you to play blackjack, roulette, craps, Caribbean poker, video poker (jacks or better, joker poker, deuces wild, all American) red dog, baccarat, keno, pai gow poker, and slots (cherry, galaxy, Egypt, knight.) U.S. citizens can't play for money buy can try the games for free. 

 I downloaded software and played a few free trial games at the Bugsy Online Casino. There were dozens of games to chose from, from Jurassic Slots and keno to scratch cards, which are just about my speed. The graphics and sound were excellent, and because the slick graphics were installed on my hard drive there was no waiting time for lengthy Internet downloads. Each game comes with instructions on how to play. I was impressed, but not enough to send money. Bugsy didn't provide any information about licensing and didn't have any restrictions about U.S. citizens placing real bets. 

 Each casino uses proprietary software, so if you develop a compulsion your hard drive can fill up fast. Many sites offer sports betting and off-track betting as well as casino- style games. If you want a list of online casinos, try Yahoo, Excite, Snap or Lycos. Another good source is www.gambling-links.com. 

 Lotteries have also jumped onto the online bandwagon. For Texas Lottery players, the state comptroller posts the winning numbers, including a history of winning numbers, on its web site. If you are more adventurous, you can buy lottery tickets from around the world through Internet agents, including those from Ireland, the U.K., South Africa, Canada, Germany, Belgium, Spain and Australia. There are also offshore lotteries, Some of these may not be legal or legitimate, so pay your money and take your chances. A good list of lottery sites is at MerseyWorld, a UK site, which lists and rates lottery sites. They also have a good list of lottery software that will help you pick and track winning numbers. 

 If you are planning a trip to a real casino, the Internet can help. While at Comdex, our guys stay at the Westward Ho. If you want to take a peek at their none-too-luxurious accommodations, look online. Yahoo has a list of hundreds of casinos, from Ceasar's (which has a good guide to how to play casino games) in Las Vegas to Trump's Taj Mahal in Atlantic City. Some casinos offer special deals only available to web surfers. 

Bingo is popular on the Internet. A good starting point is the Bingo Bugle, which claims more than one million subscribers. Their "daily rumor" update will keep you informed about bingo developments, including the opening on new online bingo sites. The murder of San Antonio Bingo King Eddie Garcia got prominent play. I tried BingoTown, which was in beta testing when I visited and temporarily free. 

Another interesting visit is BetNet, run by Multimedia Games, Inc. which has exclusive contracts with over 50 Indian Nations to provide linked games that are integrated among multiple halls in the "real" world. They also offer online bingo, at 50 cents per card. 

 Gambling can become addictive. A California woman lost $70,000 gambling online over the course of 18 months, C|Net reported, then sued MasterCard and VISA for processing the transactions. An Oklahoma city treasurer has been taken to court, according to the Bingo Bugle, for embezzling more than $250,000 from the treasury and blowing it on Bingo. If you get caught up in online gambling, visit Gamblers Anonymous , which has a list of 20 questions designed to determine if you are a compulsive gambler. Another good source is www.800gambler.org, run by the New Jersey Council on Problem Gambling. 

 And if you're not winning, you're not alone. The Wizard of Odds, Mike Shackleford, an actuary, explains the mathematical odds on dozens of casino games. Not pretty. 

Susan Ives beat the odds by surviving to become a former president of Alamo PC.