The earliest forms of online gambling were played in the 1990s, but the popularity of online casinos was quickly stifled by government controls. Initially, operating online gambling websites was considered an end run around government control, but today’s technological advancements mean that any person with a computer and a credit card can access these sites and place wagers. Even Congress looked into the issue of online gambling regulation, but to date, there are no laws that specifically regulate the practice.
Internet gambling began as an experiment for US players in the late ’90s, and by 1997, there were already more than 200 sites. A Frost & Sullivan report published in 1998 stated that online gambling revenues had topped $830 million dollars. The first online poker rooms appeared in 1997, and the Internet Gambling Prohibition Act was introduced in the US Senate in 1999. Meanwhile, multiplayer online gambling was introduced in 1999. The popularity of online casinos has exploded, but the American government has been slow to respond to the phenomenon.
Online casinos are web-based gaming sites that offer an enormous range of games. Most of them also have sportsbooks, bingo rooms, and poker rooms attached. Funds can be transferred from one tab to another and the winnings placed into the player’s account. The money can be transferred from one tab to another without the need to leave the site. In addition, many of these sites offer real-money gambling. This makes it possible for real-money players to play hundreds of casino games online, as well as to bet on upcoming sporting events.