The government has cracked down on online gambling and has fined major companies, including Microsoft and Google, for allowing their advertisements. Besides these large companies, many smaller publishers have also been fined for allowing gambling advertisements. Some publishers even moved gambling activities online without a license, making them subject to government scrutiny. Transferring funds from your bank to online casinos is another way illegal activity can occur. Using your bank account to make online gambling transactions is illegal, and you may find yourself in court.

In 2005, sports book betting accounted for a third of Internet gambling revenue. Online casino games accounted for another quarter of the market. Online poker, meanwhile, is growing in popularity at a faster rate than any other type of gambling. PartyPoker alone was responsible for $82 million in revenue in 2000. Despite this growing popularity, the researchers believe that online gambling could lead to a major rise in the number of problem gamblers.

Gambling online can be dangerous if you don’t watch your actions and take precautions to ensure your safety. Although there are many online gambling sites, you shouldn’t gamble alone. You’ll likely feel more real if you’re not around people. Having someone you trust who knows your gambling habits is an important step in protecting yourself. People around you can help you to bet more wisely, remind you to slow down, and offer support in the event that you lose.