When online gambling first came onto the scene, it seemed like a way around government control. Online gambling operators could simply set up their businesses in an offshore jurisdiction. With no paperwork required, any one could find a site and place a wager. This situation has prompted the Congress and Department of Justice to begin exploring regulations on online gambling. The latest proposed laws aim to make online gambling more regulated. In the meantime, the legality of online gambling in France remains at issue.
The popularity of online gambling grew rapidly in the late 1990s. There were fifteen gambling websites in 1996 and nearly 200 by 1998, according to a Frost & Sullivan report. The first online poker rooms appeared in 1998. In 1999, the Internet Gambling Prohibition Act was introduced in the US Senate, which would have banned online gambling for U.S. citizens. However, the Internet Gambling Prohibition Act was defeated and multiplayer online gambling became a reality.
Before starting to gamble online, you’ll need a computer with internet access. Initially, most gambling sites were only compatible with Windows-based PCs. However, Mac users have recently been welcomed by online gambling sites. The best thing to do when choosing an online gambling site is to do your research and read hundreds of reviews. Find out if the website is licensed and audited. Always ask questions, and never hesitate to report problems.