Online Gambling is an activity that involves playing casino games and poker for money over the Internet. It is a growing industry and is now a billion-dollar business. There are many online casinos and poker sites to choose from. These gambling sites are legitimate and regulated, and they provide a safe, convenient and secure place for you to play.

Legal Issues

There are several federal laws that protect American consumers from illegal online gambling. These laws include the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) and the Wire Act.

The UIGEA bans financial institutions from processing transactions to or from illegal offshore betting Web sites that accept American customers. It also prohibits financial institutions from allowing their credit cards to be used at any online gambling site.

In addition, most states have laws against gambling on the Internet. Some, such as Indiana and Washington, make it a felony to run or assist in the operation of an illegal gambling Web site.

Online Gambling: Participation and Problems

In the United States, there is no direct link between participation in online gambling and gambling problems. However, the prevalence of gambling problems is higher among highly involved gamblers and these people are more likely to engage in Internet modes of gaming. It is therefore important to conduct sophisticated studies examining the relationship between online gambling and gambling problems.