The Rise of Online Gambling

Online Gambling

In the 1990s, the rise of online gambling caught the attention of the federal government. At the time, it appeared that online gambling offered an end-run around government regulation, as online gambling operators could set up shop in offshore jurisdictions, which would allow anyone with a computer and a credit card to place wagers. As online gambling grew in popularity, the Department of Justice and Congress began looking into regulations on the industry.

As with any kind of gambling, online gambling comes with risks. In fact, it is not a good way to build wealth. If you are in financial trouble, gambling should not be your first choice. As a result, it is crucial to seek out other solutions. And remember that gambling is a game of chance, and the house always wins.

Online gambling began gaining popularity in the late 1990s. There were fifteen websites in 1996, but by 1998, more than 200 were operating. A Frost & Sullivan report showed that internet gambling revenues had surpassed $830 million in 1998. In the same year, the first online poker rooms were launched. By 1999, the US Senate introduced the Internet Gambling Prohibition Act, which would have made online gambling illegal for U.S. citizens. In 2000, online gambling sites also began to expand, allowing players to interact with each other through online gambling.

Legalities of online gambling vary from state to state. In the United States, gambling sites are legal in some states, including Nevada and New Jersey. However, online gambling is illegal in other states. Those states with legalized online gambling must obtain a license from the appropriate licensing authority to operate online.