Online Gambling

Online Gambling is any type of gambling conducted via the Internet. It includes activities such as Internet poker, sports betting and casinos. Online gambling is legal in some states of the United States, Canada, and most countries in the European Union. Many governments regulate or ban this type of gambling. Some also require players to have a license before they can play. In addition, a computer or device with an internet connection is required to access most Online Gambling websites. Some sites use special software that allows the user to wager with real money. The software may be built into the website or a player might need to download client software. Some sites even offer multiplayer games.

The rapid growth of the Internet in the 1990s enabled Internet gambling to become a significant business. By 1997, there were fifty to sixty Internet casinos operating and generating approximately $300 million in revenues. The popularity of these online gambling venues increased substantially during the next decade, with the number of sites rising to several hundred by 2000 and revenues approaching $2 billion.

Internet gambling has generated concern that it promotes excessive and problematic gambling behaviours. However, the relationship between gambling formats and problem gambling is complex and it is important to consider how people access gambling products and services. Moreover, longitudinal research is required to understand how Internet gambling behaviour differs over time.