While online gambling is legal in many jurisdictions, there are certain risks that you should consider. Before you start playing, you should conduct a thorough background check of any online gambling site. Read hundreds of user reviews and look for certifications and licenses from reputable institutions. Find out if the website is licensed by the gaming commission of your state. You should also ask lots of questions to ensure that you’re getting the most out of your gambling experience.

Online gambling first gained popularity in the late 1990s, with fifteen websites in 1996 and nearly two hundred in 1997. In 1998, a Frost & Sullivan report showed that the industry had surpassed $830 million in revenue. In the same year, the first online poker rooms were introduced. In 1999, a bill was introduced in the US Senate that would have banned online gambling in the country. This bill failed, but it did not prevent the popularity of online gambling in the U.S.

Online gambling is legal in many states and is expected to reach record growth in 2022. However, not everyone is on board with it. Some states have passed legislation to legalize sports betting, while others have banned the practice entirely.