Online Gambling refers to any type of gambling done via the internet. This includes casino games, sports betting and virtual poker. Unlike traditional bricks-and-mortar casinos and lotteries, online gambling websites offer players the opportunity to wager real money on various casino games. This has led to some concerns that the ease of access and the availability of a large variety of gambling options could contribute to addictive gambling [1, 2].
In addition, there are a number of risks involved with online gambling. These include fraud, which can be committed by either the operators or players themselves. Fraudsters often collaborate with each other to manipulate game outcomes and take advantage of software vulnerabilities. They may also use stolen credit card details to make transactions. In some cases, a combination of these activities can increase the risk of online gambling significantly.
In the 1990s, the popularity of the World Wide Web made it possible for anyone to set up a gambling website and start taking bets. This represented a direct challenge to US anti-gambling laws and caused Congress to explore ways to regulate and control online gambling. In particular, Bob Goodlatte and Jon Kyl introduced bills to the Senate that would curb online gambling unless it was limited to horse races and state lotteries. However, these bills did not pass. Similarly, other countries have taken different approaches to their regulations of online gambling. For example, the UK government has passed legislation that permits certain types of online gambling.