My father went to university in the 1950s. On some Friday nights they would go to a local "Speakeasy." This was an illegal gambling den where which they would enter by giving a password, and then spend the night playing casino games and betting on sports, far away from the public eye. Gambling, after all, was something you didn't tell people about in those times.

Well, times have changed, and these days the stigma that used to be attached to gambling just isn't there. Almost every state and province has a casino or a lottery, and there are hundreds, if not thousands, of betting options available on the Internet. But while it may be easy to be confident in your land-based casino, finding the right sports betting option is a bit tougher. Who do you trust with your money? How do you know you're getting fair odds? Is it legal? It's hard for the novice bettor to figure out where to start when looking into betting online. Most of the companies reside offshore, and once you send them your money you have to trust that they're honest. These same questions can also be challenging to the experienced bettor.

That's where BetBug.com comes in. While there are hundreds of online bookies, BetBug is the only software in the world that allows you to bet directly against another individual, removing the bookie entirely from the equation. It uses state-of-the-art peer-to-peer technology (similar to music file-sharing sites), whereby your computer finds the person out there offering the best odds to match against your bet. In other words, if the Spurs are playing the Lakers and you want to bet on the Lakers, BetBug will find you the person offering the best odds on them, then connect the two of you together. It's like a dating service for gamblers (LavaBet, perhaps?).

Betbug AdvantageThere are three chief advantages to letting BetBug.com handle your online betting:

1) The odds are on your side...

The best part about BetBug is the odds you get on each and every bet you make. By removing the bookie from the equation, BetBug users get better odds by betting directly with each other. In lieu of paying large odds, the winner of a bet only has to pay a small commission. The loser of the bet pays nothing.

Think of BetBug as the ultimate discount brokerage for betting. Just as in every line of business, technology helps to lower costs. Why should gambling be any different? With the use of superior technology, BetBug saves its clients money on each and every wager that they make. Stop putting money into your bookmaker's pockets, and start putting it into yours.

2) The money is in the bank...

Another advantage that BetBug offers its users is the safety it provides for your hard-earned money. If you bet with an online bookie, you have to first send the bookie your money. That's a big leap of faith that many are hesitant to make. BetBug has partnered with an online payment company that is licensed and regulated in the Isle of Man, one of the strictest, most regulated regions in the world in regards to online gaming.

Users never send money to BetBug; they send it to the payment partner who in turn sets up an account for each individual. Your money is always held in a client services account in Barclays Bank. Your balance increases and decreases with every bet you make, but your money is always there for you when you want it.

Why is the payment company there? Simply to facilitate a transaction between you and another bettor, and ensure that the winner of each bet always gets paid. When you want to withdraw your money, you simply request any or all of your funds and you get paid. It's as simple as that.

3) Nothing to see here, officer!..

In addition to value and security, BetBug offers the only truly legal way to bet on sports in North America. Every jurisdiction in the world has slightly different laws pertaining to gambling; in the U.S., there is something called the Wire Act. This law prohibits the act of running a bookmaking business -- something the offshore bookies clearly violate. But it does not prohibit two individuals from placing a bet against each other. There is nothing illegal about two people placing a wager on a game. BetBug facilitates this activity by matching bettors up on the BetBug network. If legality is a concern to you, rest assured that BetBug is the way to play.

BetBug Promo:For a limited time, BetBug is offering a 20% bonus on all 1st time deposits. Please see the website at www.BetBug.com for more details.

What are you waiting for? Say goodbye to your bookie and hello to the future of online gaming!