Online Gambling is a form of gambling that takes place over the Internet. In recent years, it has grown in popularity and there is now a huge choice of websites offering users the chance to gamble for real money. Online gambling is not illegal in many countries, but it is regulated in some jurisdictions. Some examples of online gambling include online casinos, sports betting sites, and poker rooms.

The invention of the World Wide Web ushered in an era of online gambling. This new technology allowed operators to establish their businesses offshore in friendly jurisdictions and accept bets via credit cards from people all over the world. This was a blatant end-run around government prohibitions and led to increased scrutiny of online gambling.

In the United States, a number of lawmakers attempted to curb online gambling by introducing bills in Congress. However, these proposals were not passed. Instead, most states legalized some type of Internet gambling and established regulatory bodies to oversee the activities of licensed operators.

As the popularity of online gambling grows, the risks associated with this activity increase as well. In addition to the usual cybercrime threats, online gambling sites are also at risk of fraud committed by players who attempt to defraud the site or other players. This risk can be mitigated by ensuring that players use strong passwords and enable two-factor authentication. It is also important that they report any suspicious transactions immediately.

For those struggling with online gambling addiction, help is available through GamCare and other organisations. Treatment usually involves stopping the addictive behaviour, identifying triggers and finding healthy ways to cope with the urge to gamble.