Online Gambling is any gambling activity conducted on the internet and includes virtual poker, casinos and sports betting. Initially introduced in the late 1990s, online gambling has grown tremendously since and is currently legal in many countries worldwide. The popularity of online gambling is partly due to the fact that it allows players to gamble from anywhere in the world with an internet connection, irrespective of whether they have a physical casino nearby. It is also a highly regulated industry with thorough rules that vary on a country by country basis.

Online gambling can become an addiction if not played responsibly. It is important to set limits and stick to them, as financial losses can easily build up in the form of in-game purchases and real money wagers. The lack of face to face accountability and the ability to hide spending habits can further contribute to online gambling addictions.

Biological causes: Research has found that compulsive gambling triggers the release of feel good neurotransmitters such as dopamine, serotonin and gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA). This leads to a person wanting to experience these positive feelings again, which is why they keep gambling. It is believed that this can eventually lead to gambling disorder if the activity is continued over long periods of time.

Psychological causes: Daily life stresses and underlying mental health issues can often be the reason for people to start gambling. For example, researchers have found that schizophrenia and related disorders, unipolar depression and cluster B personality disorder can all cause gambling problems. These problems can also affect the relationships of gamblers and their families.