Online Gambling refers to gambling that is conducted over the internet, such as via a casino website or sports betting. Online gambling first emerged in the late 1990s, and it grew to prominence following the launch of several notable poker sites (PokerStars, Full Tilt, and Cereus) and the establishment of the world’s first online betting site, Intertops.

As the popularity of online gambling grew, governments responded by legislating to regulate the activity. Many of these laws aimed to protect players from predatory practices by requiring responsible advertising, self-exclusion tools, and other safeguards. Other legal actions aimed to prevent money laundering and fraud by regulating how funds are transferred from and to players.

In addition to these legislative efforts, a number of online casinos have also established their own self-exclusion policies. These often involve setting loss-limits for a player, which can help to control the amount of money that a person may lose during one gaming session. Some sites also offer time-out periods, which allow a player to take a break from the game for a set period of time.

Online gambling has a wide variety of potential negative consequences, both short- and long-term. For example, excessive gambling can lead to financial problems, feelings of regret or guilt, and disrupted romantic, family, and work relationships. It can also trigger symptoms of addiction, such as restlessness and irritability, and individuals who are addicted to gambling can hide their activities from friends and family.