Online Gambling is the act of placing wagers on various games through an Internet connection. It encompasses activities such as online sports betting, casino games and lottery tickets. It is legal in most states of the United States, some provinces of Canada, most countries in Europe and several nations in the Caribbean. In some jurisdictions gambling websites are required to register and obtain a license to operate in that country.

Some researchers have argued that the ease of access to online gambling can lead to an increase in problem gambling, especially among those with low socioeconomic status or mental health problems. However, multiple studies using nationally representative data have found no evidence that Internet gambling is more problematic than offline gambling when other variables are controlled for. Furthermore, a large Harvard Medical School study found that the vast majority of Internet gamblers do so in a very moderate manner and spend minimal amounts of money.

The ability to easily access and play a variety of games has also prompted concerns about the risk of becoming hooked on these activities. Unlike traditional casinos, where players can only access one game at a time, many online gambling sites offer multiple options, such as poker and slots. This can lead to a player spending more than they intended to, which could trigger an addiction.

The lack of uniformity in regulation and enforcement across the many different online gambling jurisdictions has led to the proliferation of unethical gambling practices, such as fraud and rigged games. These scams are typically conducted by unlicensed operators who lack the resources and incentives to compete with legitimate licensed companies.