While online gambling is legal in some states, there are a number of risks associated with it. It is important to thoroughly investigate any site before deciding to play. Read a variety of online reviews and ask questions to make sure the site is safe. Also, look for signs that the site is licensed or regulated.

Regulators in many countries have imposed regulations on online gambling. While these regulations are effective at detecting risky players, more research is needed to understand the long-term effects of online gambling. In addition, research is needed to determine how online gambling can affect a person’s mental health. There is a risk that people may develop gambling disorders.

While federal law permits online gambling, some states have laws banning online gambling. Nevada and Delaware legalized online gambling in 2011 and 2013, while New Jersey has legalized Internet casinos. Still, the federal government has not fully embraced this new development. The Department of Justice has attempted to interpret the Interstate Wire Act to include online gambling, but this attempt failed in court.

In addition to regulating online gambling, the government should create a responsible environment where people can play responsibly. This requires collaboration among regulators, operators, and independent researchers. A responsible gambling environment should also incorporate treatment and prevention strategies for Internet gamblers. This can range from brief online interventions to in-depth treatment programmes. Furthermore, online self-exclusion programmes should allow users to exclude multiple gambling websites at once.