Online gambling is the practice of placing bets or wagering on games and events over the Internet. The first step is to create an account, which is typically done through a secure website where players can share their payment details with the operator to deposit money to gamble. This money is credited to the player’s ‘bankroll’ and can be used to make bets or withdrawals later on. Some online casinos are licensed to operate in specific regions or countries, and are regulated by local gambling control bodies to ensure fair play and customer protection.

Some people may struggle with gambling problems. However, research to date has not been able to identify a single unmistakable risk indicator for problem gambling among people who gamble online. This is in contrast to offline gambling where the behavioural evidence supports that early identification and intervention reduces the likelihood of disordered gambling [1].

The large number of transactions that take place on online casino and betting websites makes them an attractive context for money laundering activities, particularly as the majority of these are conducted anonymously. The fact that online gambling sites accept payments from all over the world and allow players to deposit using a variety of methods is also appealing for money launderers, as it means that suspicious transactions are less likely to be detected.

Some states in the United States and provinces in Canada have state monopolies on online casino services, while others have banned or limited access to foreign operators. This has led to a flourishing underground market in the development of illegal online casinos, many of which offer free spins and other promotions to lure customers.