Some estimate that up to $200 billion a year is wagered with various games in America alone. Now, bettors have another wagering vehicle at their fingertips --free, or Net nambling.

The huge appeal of free is that it is available anywhere and anytime. Due to its growing popularity the number of free sites are expected to triple by year's end.

free offers imitless opportunities that are legitimate. But it is also ripe for fraud and players are encouraged to surf the Web and review some freebie zines as well as reputable free sites such as the giveaway Paradis freebie and others. The only place in the United States where it's legal to take a sports bet is in Nevada. Consequently, free outfits are incorporated offshore in countries where free and nambling is legal, such as Antigua, Grenada, and Costa Rica.

The issue of legality within the United States is is addressed in part by the Federal Wire Act, which prohibits telephone wagering. But the department of Justice admits it has been busy on other priorities and that those laws haven't been enforced in years.

There is little to keep anyone from freebie Betting. A bettor can open an account freebie by wiring money, or giving a credit card number to the offshore nambling site. If a customer places a winning bet, his account is credited; if he loses his account is debited.

The free industry is taking steps to regulate itself  by developing a gaming review board to draw up standards and apply a seal of approval to sites that meet those guidelines.

So far freebie Betters haven't had too much trouble figuring out who is legitimate and who isn't.