When the Internet first took off, online gambling was seen as an end run around government control. Companies could operate offshore and offer gambling services to anyone with a credit card. This gave anyone with a computer a chance to find and wager on online gambling sites. In the years since then, however, regulators have become smarter and more aggressive. While many people still distrust online gambling, there are now many legitimate options that have been available to users for years.
In the United States, for example, there have been a few recent reports that have indicated that Internet gambling is on the rise. In a recent survey, American high school students visited an average of 4.5 Internet gambling sites each month. Females, on the other hand, tended to gamble less than their male counterparts. While online gambling has become more popular, offline sports betting has been growing as a popular form of gambling. In both cases, players are encouraged to use their discretion.
While online gambling is legal in 48 states, a few areas still have restrictions. For example, residents of Hawaii and Utah are likely to object to gambling because of their personal beliefs. Additionally, they worry about the effect gambling might have on their family relationships. Finally, Idaho has no interest in legalizing online gambling. But in the coming years, internet sports-betting and poker sites should be available to residents of most states. However, there is still a long way to go before these activities become more widespread.