We gamblers like to have a line on over the holidays. It makes things interesting and, when done right, gives us a little breathing room financially. But we all have got to look out for the latest scams and cons to hit the internet.

The best way to avoid a scam is to pick a reputable site and take part in sports betting. This is something which is beyond the control of the profit-seeking gambling sites, with horses, football, tennis etc all having outcomes which more than you will have bet on one way or the other. This means that you won't get ripped off with automated computer programs (which is likely to happen in online casinos), while knowing that, even if the race is fixed, the bookies have more to think about than a profit on your wager.

I get countless emails from sites telling me they will offer 400% and the like on my first deposit to join their casino. Those of us with a little sense will, of course, look at reviews online to find if there are any stories of scams surrounding this site, but from personal experience this is not enough. I have signed up to sites which some gambling ezines have advertised in blog posts, just boasting what the company themselves have clearly asked them to. You will, indeed, see your balance increase by 400%, but you will never get to withdraw it.

Just a warning - be careful this Christmas and don't dive head first into any offer given to you from anyone but the most reputed of industry-leading sites.