The online gambling market moves billions of dollars a year, making it a profitable and popular industry. However, it can also be addictive and have serious financial consequences if not played responsibly. To help you manage your risk, it is important to use only regulated and licensed sites. This will ensure that you have a good experience and are protected from fraud or unfair games. In addition, it is a good idea to learn the games, read the terms and conditions, and follow the major tournaments.

Online gambling has become increasingly popular since the late 1990s, when it first emerged as a viable alternative to brick-and-mortar establishments. Initially, there were only 15 gambling websites, but this number quickly grew to more than 200 by 1998.

While research is ongoing into the relationship between Internet gambling and gambling disorders, many studies suggest that using the Internet does not increase problem gambling, and that any such increase is moderated by a range of individual and environmental factors. Nonetheless, the prevalence of disordered Internet gambling appears to be increasing rapidly, and regulation of the sector is underway in many jurisdictions.

There are a variety of methods for gambling online, with credit cards being the most common. Some gambling sites also accept cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum, which offer fast and secure transactions. However, these transactions may be subject to a fee of up to 3%. In addition, it is a good practice to check account activity regularly and report any suspicious or fraudulent transactions to the gambling site’s customer support team.