Controlling Online Gambling

Online Gambling involves betting on games of chance, including sports wagering, esports, virtual casinos and poker. It’s a $9.5 billion a year industry, and it’s growing fast. But like any gambling, it can cause harm if it’s not controlled. People with mental health conditions and other social stressors can be at increased risk for developing problems. And heavy promotion of online and sports gambling increases risk for children and young people.

Most gambling is done on smartphones, but tablets and computers also play a role. And while a lot of gambling is done “on the go,” most people actually gamble from home. And the average person has about three online gambling accounts.

There are a number of organizations that audit and test Internet gambling sites. They include Talisma (which does secret shopping and other investigations) and TST Technical Systems Testing, which specializes in random number generator software. These independent groups help ensure that the games are fair and trustworthy.

In the United States, laws governing the sale of Internet gambling products differ from state to state. However, financial transactions are generally allowed with credit and debit cards. And although the federal UIGEA limits some online transaction methods, it doesn’t directly prohibit individual states from licensing and operating online gambling platforms. That’s why there are a variety of licensing arrangements and regulatory bodies in place across the US. In New Jersey, for example, the state led the way in legalising and regulating online gambling.