Online Gambling is a form of gambling that takes place on the internet. It involves playing casino games and placing bets on sports or other events. Typically, gamblers can access online casinos from their desktops, tablets or smartphones. All they need is a reliable internet connection to play. The convenience of online gambling has attracted a large number of people.

Most reputable online gambling sites are licensed and monitored by authorities to ensure fairness and security. However, fraudsters are constantly looking for ways to hack into gambling platforms. This is due to the fact that gambling is a highly lucrative industry. For example, social casino games, which are a type of free-to-play game that lets players interact with their friends, can be used to promote real-money gambling.

In addition, many online gambling websites provide incentives to encourage gamblers to spend more money, such as by offering “free play” offers on social media. These promotions can be very addictive, as individuals often find themselves gambling more once they have used up their free credit. Furthermore, online gambling is easier to hide than offline gambling, allowing individuals to continue gambling without being noticed by family and friends.

Excessive online gambling can lead to a variety of symptoms, including disrupted romantic and social relationships and feelings of withdrawal when trying to cut down or stop gambling. It can also cause financial difficulties and stress. Moreover, gambling problems can affect mental health. Therefore, it is important to seek professional help if you think that your gambling has become problematic. You can use the GamCare online assessment tool to determine your level of problem gambling and find out about your options for treatment.