What Is Online Gambling?

Online Gambling is any gambling activity that takes place via the Internet, such as poker or casino games. It is legal in 31 states of the United States, as well as several Canadian provinces and countries of the European Union. It is illegal in many other states and countries, however.

Unlike offline gambling, which relies on the presence of a physical casino, online casinos operate as virtual businesses that must generate enough money to pay their employees and cover operating costs. They do this by reducing their margins or increasing their turnover. In the early stages of their existence, online operators aim to reduce their margins as they build up their customer base and compete with established brands.

In a number of studies, researchers have investigated the association between Internet gambling and problem behaviour. While these studies are limited, they suggest that the association is not causal. Furthermore, they provide evidence that factors that are common to both online and offline gambling are more likely to impact problem severity than those specific to online gambling.

Consequently, it is unlikely that the development of new preventive interventions tailored to online gambling is necessary. In terms of general prevention strategies, online gamblers should be encouraged to set limits on their spending and avoid risky gambling behaviours. Additionally, they should refrain from using credit and debit cards with a spouse or partner who may be prone to gambling, and keep their passwords safe. If they are concerned that they are struggling with gambling-related problems, they should seek out help.