Online gambling is any type of wagering conducted over the internet, from poker to casinos and sports betting. In the 1990s, the rise of the World Wide Web made it easy for anyone with a computer to open an online gambling site and accept credit card wagers from customers around the world.

Legitimate online casino, poker and betting sites offer a range of ways to keep players safe, including SSL encryption software, password-protected accounts and secure banking options. They also have games tested by external agencies for fairness, and they uphold responsible gambling and player protection laws. Players can also count on dependable payouts.

However, many legitimate gambling sites also have a number of potential issues that may be less obvious to the consumer, such as cyber security risks. Unregulated websites can leave personal information, such as credit cards or bank account details, vulnerable to hackers and scammers. This information can then be used to target players with offers and advertisements.

Regardless of whether you’re playing at a legal gambling website or an offshore one, you should always read the terms and conditions carefully. You’ll need to know if you can play for real money and how to withdraw winnings, as well as what your minimum deposit is. Many legitimate gambling sites also promote responsible gambling by allowing players to set loss limits and self-exclude from their services. In addition, they make it easy to manage gambling funds by allowing players to transfer money between different gambling accounts.