Online gambling refers to any gambling activity conducted over the Internet, which includes poker, casinos and sports betting. Online gambling has gained popularity in recent decades because of its convenience and accessibility. It allows players to gamble from anywhere in the world, without having to travel or adhere to opening hours. Online gambling has also been criticized for its addictive qualities. However, it is possible to gamble responsibly and limit your spending. This is achieved by using tools such as expenditure tracking, self-set spending limits and a self-exclusion tool. It is also important to stay away from lookalike websites that may try to steal your personal information.
In order to play online, one must first sign up for an account with a gambling website. This requires filling out a simple form with some of your personal details and making a deposit (if you are gambling real money). The amount deposited is referred to as your bankroll, and you can use this money to place bets. The winnings from these bets are then added to your bankroll and the losses deducted. You can then withdraw your bankroll, with all winnings and losses accounted for, whenever you wish.
Studies have explored a variety of risk and protective factors associated with online gambling, at the individual, relational and contextual levels. Some of these have been comparatively well investigated, but there are also many that are not as extensively researched. For example, the low quantity and quality of relationships that people have is reported to be a significant risk factor for gambling online, as is the presence of family members who are problematic gamblers.