Almost 10 million people in the United States engage in some form of online gambling. These activities include sports betting, casinos, virtual poker and more. Some Internet casinos have jackpots that can be millions of dollars. The online gambling industry has also grown rapidly in the past decade.
Many teenagers report that they use gambling to relieve boredom. Others report that they are attracted to the thrill of risking money in hopes of winning big. Those who lose a lot of money may also feel anxiety and depression. They may sell their possessions or steal to pay off their debts. Regardless of why they use gambling, teens have a higher rate of addiction than adults.
Online gambling has been a hot topic since the debut of the Internet. In 2002, the General Accounting Office issued a report on the topic. It suggested that gambling is an acceptable form of entertainment, but questions have been raised about the government’s power under the Commerce Clause.
A few years later, the Department of Justice reversed its position on online gambling. It warned PayPal that it may be prosecuted for its transactions. But, in the end, it was a lukewarm position. The Department argued that the law did not violate free speech.
The first commercially available Internet gambling venue was the Liechtenstein International Lottery. Other sites have since followed suit. Internet casinos offer a higher degree of convenience for players. There are no limits on how many people can participate in a game, and they offer higher odds. Using an online casino also allows you to participate from the comfort of your own home.