Almost 10 million Americans engage in online gambling. The number is growing rapidly. The market is estimated at $30 billion, with online poker making an estimated $6 billion a year in the US alone. The market also includes sports betting, virtual poker, casinos, lotteries, and pool-selling.
Online gambling has grown by leaps and bounds over the last decade. In the fall of 2011, comScore found that the online gambling market was the fastest growing category of the internet.
Gambling has been around since ancient times. Many cultures include gambling as a part of their celebrations. Some of these include tribal ceremonies and modern day casinos. However, legalized gambling has become highly promoted.
In recent years, internet gambling has become a staple of the adult pastime. The market is booming and there are more gambling sites than ever before. Online casinos offer a variety of payment options to make playing easier. Some casinos offer huge jackpots, with many offering a high probability of winning.
Online gambling is also a growing source of income for many Americans. According to the National Gambling Museum, the amount of money spent on online gambling in the United States grew by about 40% in 2010. In Connecticut, where online gambling has become legal, the quality of life for gamblers has improved.
Several surveys have been conducted to examine the effects of gambling on young people. While no studies have found that gambling has a negative effect, there are studies that suggest that teenagers who gamble are at higher risk of developing addictions.