Online gambling is a form of betting where wagers are placed over the internet. This activity has gained popularity as it is very convenient and accessible to most people. It is a risky activity and must be treated as such. Those who gamble online should be aware of the risks and know when to stop. If you are concerned that you may have a problem, it is recommended to seek help from GamCare.
The first online casinos were established in the 1990s and became increasingly popular as the World Wide Web grew. They seemed to offer a convenient end-run around government control and prohibition. An operator could simply set up an offshore site in a friendly jurisdiction and start accepting bets by credit card. This prompted the Department of Justice to begin exploring the applicability of current law and the desirability of new regulation.
Gambling online can be very addictive and is not a good choice for those who are concerned about their own mental health. There are some low quality online casinos that will cheat players out of their money or simply not pay them if they have a winning balance. In order to avoid these low quality online casinos, users should look for a site that has a licence from a reputable gambling regulatory body.
Online gambling is currently legal in Nevada, New Jersey and Delaware although only New Jersey has sites up and running. However, many states are in the process of introducing legislation to regulate this activity. One proposal that has gained some traction is the Internet Gambling Regulation, Consumer Protection Act of 2013 introduced by New York Congressman Peter King. This bill seeks to circumvent the state patchworks and create a uniform standard that will benefit consumers, lawmakers and industry stakeholders.