Online Gambling is the use of the internet to place real money wagers or participate in online casino and sports betting games. It is a large, multi-billion dollar industry with extensive regulation in many countries. This type of gambling has grown in popularity since the ’90s and continues to draw in new players of all ages, genders, and backgrounds. It is estimated that more than 85 countries now offer some form of legal and regulated online gambling to their citizens.

In general, online casinos and betting sites offer a variety of payment methods, often including credit and debit cards. This flexibility is attractive for money launderers who may want to deposit funds through a gambling site and then move them out again without leaving a trail. In one example of this scheme, a person might deposit money into an account at a sportsbook and then make several small bets to make the transactions appear to be legitimate before cashing out. This could help them evade taxes or avoid other reporting requirements.

Some countries have strict laws against online gambling, while others prohibit it altogether or limit it in some way. These regulations typically relate to age and location verification, security standards, and whether or not a website uses random number generators to ensure fair play. Depending on the country, it may also be illegal for online gambling websites to advertise their products to residents of certain jurisdictions. This has led to a thriving black market for unregulated and offshore sites.