The Internet has opened up a world of possibilities for people who enjoy online gambling. The convenience of being able to gamble anytime, anywhere has been the primary reason why many people have become addicted to this activity. While the physical effort required to drive to Las Vegas or to the local casino is not as significant, the benefits far outweigh the disadvantages. In addition, the availability of online gambling websites around the clock has meant that high rollers are now the main source of revenue for online casinos.
Although the internet has made online gambling easier than ever, there are still legal restrictions on it in most countries. For example, some states in the United States and Canada have made online gambling illegal, while most of the European Union and some Caribbean nations have legalized it. Many of the legal markets require online gambling service providers to have licenses from the United Kingdom Gambling Commission and the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board. Online casinos are not permitted in every state, but in many, such as the US, it is not hard to find legal opportunities for gambling.
While there are still some differences, the overall gambling pattern was generally lower among the two groups in the past month. Online gambling was higher among the elderly than in the general population. However, non-gamblers reported fewer problems with online gambling than did those who grew up gambling at land-based venues. This suggests that the COVID-19 crisis may alter gambling behavior. Regardless, a significant portion of online gambling customers still remain at risk.