In the 1990s, online gambling was growing in popularity and seemed to be an end-run around government regulation. Because the gambling businesses were established in offshore jurisdictions, anyone with a computer and a credit card could easily access and place a wager. This practice prompted Congress and the Department of Justice to begin exploring ways to regulate online gambling.
Most online gambling sites accept a variety of payment methods, including credit cards and debit cards. Players can deposit funds by entering card details and a password. They can then use the money to play. Many sites will also accept electronic checks or wire transfers. However, players must be aware that the quality of online gambling sites varies.
In the late 1990s, legislation to regulate online gambling was drafted. Bills by Bob Goodlatte and Jon Kyl were introduced in the US Senate that would have restricted online gambling activities to horse races and state lotteries. Unfortunately, neither bill passed, but the drafting process prompted some states to enact new laws regulating online gambling.
Internet gambling statistics show that younger adults are more likely to gamble online. The median age for Internet gamblers was 31.7 years. Ethnicity also made a difference: non-whites made up 38.7% of the online gambler group and only 15.8% of respondents. The research also shows that younger people are more likely to engage in online gambling than older people.