====== Online gambling ======

Online gambling encompasses various forms of betting activities conducted over the internet, including virtual poker, casinos, sports betting, bingo, lotteries, horse racing betting, and more. It revolutionized the gambling industry, offering convenience and accessibility to players worldwide. The advent of online gambling dates back to October 1994 when the first online gambling venue, ticketing for the Liechtenstein International Lottery, was introduced to the public.

Today, the online gambling market is estimated to be worth around $40 billion annually, with continuous growth projected. Despite its popularity, online gambling faces restrictions and bans in many countries. However, it remains legal in certain regions, including some states in the United States, provinces in Canada, most European Union countries, and various nations in the Caribbean.

To operate legally, online gambling service providers are typically required to obtain licenses from regulatory bodies such as the United Kingdom Gambling Commission or the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board. Many online casinos and gambling companies opt to base themselves in tax havens near their main markets, such as Gibraltar, Malta, or Alderney in Europe, and Macau in Asia, though the latter was removed from the EU's list of blacklisted tax havens in 2018.

The history of online gambling traces back to the mid-1990s when legislative acts like the Free Trade & Processing Act in Antigua and Barbuda paved the way for the licensing of online casinos. The development of secure transaction protocols by companies like Microgaming and CryptoLogic led to the establishment of the first online casinos in 1994. Subsequently, regulatory bodies like the Kahnawake Gaming Commission emerged to oversee and regulate online gaming activities.

Since then, online gambling has experienced rapid growth, with the number of gambling websites increasing from 15 in 1996 to 200 in the following year. Revenues from online gambling surged, reaching over $830 million in 1998 alone. Despite legal challenges, online gambling continued to expand, with innovations like multiplayer gaming and in-play betting being introduced.

In recent years, online gambling has evolved further with advancements in technology, leading to the rise of new forms of gambling like virtual sports betting and sweepstakes online casinos. These platforms cater to a diverse range of players, offering various gaming options and attracting celebrities as brand ambassadors.

From online poker tables and virtual casino games to sports betting and mobile gambling, the internet has transformed the landscape of gambling, providing players with unprecedented access to a wide array of betting options. With various payment methods available, including credit cards, electronic checks, wire transfers, and cryptocurrencies, players can easily fund their accounts and cash out their winnings. Despite regulatory challenges and banking restrictions, online gambling continues to thrive, offering an immersive and convenient gaming experience to millions of players worldwide.