Online Gambling is gambling done on the internet through sites or apps. It can be anything from placing bets on sports, to casino games and even skin betting (gambling in video games). It’s legal to gamble online in many countries around the world, and is a very popular pastime.

People who gamble online often have fewer resources and are more vulnerable to gambling harm. This can include family and financial stress, relationship breakdown and mental health problems. It can also result in diversion of income away from essential household expenditure, such as food and housing. These risks are greater for those who gamble on the internet and via mobile devices. Harms may persist over time and lead to a variety of negative outcomes, including financial ruin, homelessness, social isolation and suicide.

Gambling websites often make it very easy to deposit money and start gambling. This can be as simple as entering your details and choosing a payment method. This is usually a credit or debit card, but some gambling websites will accept other methods of payment.

Compared with offline gambling, online gambling is associated with higher impulsivity, dysfunctional personality traits and more problematic behaviours. Several studies have found that gambling is related to smaller volume in the amygdala and hippocampus, regions involved with emotional learning and stress regulation. It is important to be aware of the dangers of online gambling, especially for children and young people. Trusted adults should talk to children about what online gambling is, its risks and how it can be prevented.