Online Gambling is the act of placing bets or wagers on games and other events using an Internet connection. Online gambling sites and mobile apps make this possible and bring many conveniences to players. They can be used at home or while travelling and can include sports betting and casino games all in one place.

Most governments regulate online gambling and most sites require a user to be at least 21 years old to register. Many also have age verification tools to prevent underage gambling. Some countries prohibit or restrict online gambling altogether while others have legalized it to some extent. In addition to regulation, there are also efforts at self-regulation from the industry. This includes the formation of player associations and a code of conduct to promote responsible gambling.

In general, online gambling is much easier and faster than visiting a brick-and-mortar casino. It is often a matter of a few clicks to create an account and start playing for real money. This makes it easy for people with an addictive personality to gamble without even knowing they are doing it. Moreover, online gambling is often done alone and is hard to monitor.

Some online casinos offer time-out periods in which a player can voluntarily lock themselves out of their accounts for a short period of time. This is particularly useful for those who are trying to break a bad habit or manage their bankroll better. They can also set loss-limits, which allow them to limit how much of their bankroll they can lose in a session.