Online gambling offers fast access to millions of gamblers through laptops, mobile phones and tablets. It has the potential to boost traditional gambling revenues and has attracted a lot of attention. However, some people fear that online gambling is a threat to their social and financial well-being.

The first Internet gambling sites appeared in the 1990s, offering an end-run around government control and prohibition, allowing anyone with a computer to set up a website and begin accepting wagers via credit card. Since then, Internet gambling has become a popular activity in many countries. Regulatory responses vary. Some countries have banned the practice, while others permit it only on a limited basis. In the United States, the Department of Justice has taken a hard line against Internet gambling, maintaining that it violates federal law on wire fraud and money laundering.

In general, online casinos promote responsible gaming and offer features that allow players to limit their playing time or their bankroll (the amount of money they have allocated for betting). Some also allow players to self-exclude from the site after a certain number of losses. Fraudsters, however, can still exploit the system by multi-accounting or using stolen cards or ID.

Although the growth of online gambling has been rapid, there is little evidence that it has increased the prevalence or severity of problem gambling. In fact, some studies have found that the availability of Internet gambling may reduce the likelihood of developing problems. However, further research is needed on the role of various factors in gambling disorder development and on the identification of early risk indicators for problem play.