Online Gambling is a digital activity that involves placing bets with real money on games of chance, through websites that allow players to play from anywhere in the world. It was first introduced two decades ago, and has seen a remarkable expansion in recent years as its intrinsic characteristics make it particularly attractive to gamblers (accessibility, anonymity, variety of games). It is now a global industry with significant revenue potential.
In the US, online gambling is regulated on a state by state basis and there are many options for people looking to gamble from home or on the go. Sports betting is one of the most popular types of online gambling and it is estimated that about 20% of Americans place a bet each year on a major sporting event. Online slot machines are another popular form of online gambling and feature themes ranging from classic fruit machines to fantasy worlds, with new technologies allowing for more dynamic gameplay.
Fraudulent activities in the online gambling industry are a growing concern and include manipulation of game outcomes, hacking to gain unauthorised access to customer data, and social engineering techniques such as phishing emails. In addition, gaming and gambling companies are vulnerable to cyberattacks because of their large volumes of customers and high value products. Embracing change, whether driven by market changes or feedback from affiliates, is key to maintaining relevance and effectiveness of an online casino program.