Online Gambling is a form of gambling that involves placing bets on games that are hosted by websites called online casinos. These web platforms are accessible by almost everybody, regardless of where they live. These sites offer all kinds of casino-style games, from roulette and blackjack to slot machines and keno.

The online casino industry is a growing industry with estimated revenues of $1.4 billion in 2006. This figure is expected to rise to $16.6 billion by 2011.

Some states have laws that make it illegal for people to gamble on the Internet. In Washington, for example, anyone caught gambling on the Web could be prosecuted for a class C felony.

Aside from being illegal, online gambling can also have serious financial consequences for players. Some of these problems include money laundering, identity theft, and credit card fraud.

There are a few ways to play online casino games responsibly. First, it’s important to select a reputable casino that’s licensed by a respected gaming board. These sites should have a responsible gambling setting where a player can set loss-limits to avoid excessive losses.

The second thing a player needs to do is register for an account with the site. This can be done quickly and easily by filling out a form with some basic details.

Once a player has deposited real money to his account, he can start playing. He can deposit his winnings into his account as well, or withdraw it if he wants to.