Online gambling is an increasingly popular activity. However, legislation to regulate online gambling has yet to be passed. In the late 1990s, two senators, Jon Kyl and Bob Goodlatte, introduced bills that would have restricted certain types of online gambling, except for horse racing and state lotteries. The Internet Gambling Prohibition Act (IGPA) was introduced in the US Senate.
Although Internet gambling has many benefits, it can cause harm if a person is prone to gambling problems. In addition to the potential for financial loss, problem gambling on the internet can disrupt a person’s sleep patterns. Fortunately, there are a number of resources available to help those affected by gambling addiction.
Research on the long-term effects of online gambling has shown that it may increase the proportion of gamblers with problems. In addition, the use of Internet modes in gambling may affect gambling behaviour earlier in a person’s career than traditional forms. As a result, research on the future of Internet gambling should examine how the new medium integrates with traditional offline gambling behavior.
Many states do not permit online gambling. While gambling is legal on a federal level, each state has the right to regulate it. Online gambling can include games of chance and skill. Twenty states permit residents to gamble online, including on poker and sports events.