Online Gambling is gambling conducted on the Internet and can include virtual poker, casinos, sports betting and more. It has grown in popularity with the rise of mobile devices and is accessible from almost anywhere with an Internet connection. The ease of accessibility and potential for serious financial losses make it a dangerous endeavor that should be approached with caution.

Online gambling can also lead to addiction. The ease of access can make it difficult for individuals to control their gambling activity and the release of dopamine associated with winning can reinforce addictive behavior. In addition, the anonymity of online gambling can make it difficult for gamblers to seek help or recognize that they have a problem. Moreover, the large volume of transactions through casinos and sportsbooks can be attractive to money launderers and make it difficult for regulators to monitor suspicious activity.

However, despite the popularity of online gambling, there is little evidence that Internet gaming contributes to the development of problem gambling. While some Internet gamblers report that online gambling is the proximal cause of their problem, most studies examining the relationship between problem gambling and Internet gambling use are cross-sectional and therefore do not permit determination of causality. Furthermore, studies that examine the relationship between Internet gambling and problems rely on self-reports of gambling participation which may be biased. Therefore, more research is needed into the early identification of risk indicators for problems and preventative measures to reduce gambling-related harms sustained by online gamblers.