Although a number of jurisdictions have legalized and regulated online gambling, it may seem that the problem is less widespread, and the problem is even harder to recognize. Because the gambling activity is not disruptive to the gambler’s life, it may seem less serious to those around him or her. But as time passes, participation in online gambling grows rapidly, especially when the activity takes place in a regulated environment. According to an Australian study, the prevalence of online gambling has increased from one percent in 1999 to eight percent in 2011. In the UK, 16 percent of respondents reported having engaged in at least one type of online gambling in the past four weeks.
Using an internet connection is essential for gambling. Many online gambling sites accept various deposit methods. Most of them support PCs running Windows. Over time, gambling sites have expanded their compatibility to Macintosh computers and even smartphones. Some sites even offer high-tech software that allows players to gamble in a virtual environment. In addition to these benefits, many online gambling sites offer chat functions, which make the games more engaging and social. And with the advent of more sophisticated gaming software, online gambling has grown considerably.
According to a recent Harris poll, 38% of Internet gamblers started betting online within a year, and the figure is even higher among Americans than in Great Britain. About two-thirds of online gamblers played poker against other people during the previous year, while fewer than 5% made wagers on sports events. Interestingly, they ranked poker games as their favorite online gambling activity, with two-thirds citing Texas Hold ‘Em as their top choice.