Online gambling was first popularized in the 1990s, and at first it appeared to be an end run around government regulation. Operators could set up their businesses in an offshore jurisdiction and anyone with an Internet connection could access them and place bets. Soon, Congress and the Department of Justice began exploring how to regulate online gambling.

As of now, only five states offer legal online gambling. Three of them allow online poker, casino games, and sports wagering. The remaining eight states restrict internet gambling in some way. However, these states are working toward regulating their own versions of internet gambling. There is also a proposal to legalize online gambling in Pennsylvania and California.

Regulatory efforts must continue to evolve to determine the full impact of online gambling, including its potential to trigger gambling disorders. In some cases, Internet financial services companies are charged with enabling illegal offshore gambling. Despite the lack of government regulation, some online gambling operators are taking steps to prevent the spread of gambling addiction. Some operators have already shared data with researchers, while others have developed strategies and policies to detect risky players.

Some states restrict online gambling, but most are legal. Besides the United States, gambling is legal in some Canadian provinces, most European countries, and a number of Caribbean nations. However, you must be a resident of one of these states to be able to play online gambling. Additionally, it is illegal in some states to advertise gambling on the Internet. For example, Washington prohibits the advertising of gambling on websites.