During the late 1990s, the proliferation of online gambling sites was rapid. A Frost & Sullivan report stated that online gambling revenues exceeded $830 million in 1998.

One reason for this is the ease of use, speed and convenience offered by the Internet. Online gambling sites allow you to place bets and even withdraw your winnings from your account, all without leaving your home.

Another advantage of online gambling is the fact that most gambling sites allow you to set limits on how much you can lose. These limits can help you protect yourself from gambling addiction.

Despite this, many countries still restrict or ban internet gambling. However, it should be noted that the prevalence of online gambling is relatively low.

As with other industries, gambling regulation must evolve to understand the impact of internet gambling. A number of countries and jurisdictions have legalized internet gambling, and more are expected to do so in the coming years. Several states in the United States have also passed laws allowing for gambling online.

It should also be noted that online gambling is legal in several Caribbean nations, and is also legal in some provinces in Canada. Nonetheless, the federal government remains hostile to online gambling.

One way to ensure that the industry is fair and transparent is to regulate it. This can protect consumers, ensure that reputable bodies govern platforms, and also generate tax revenue. In the United States, online gambling regulation is governed by the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act. This law aims to curb illegal gambling activities, including those associated with online casinos and betting exchanges.