Online Gambling is betting or playing games of chance for money on the internet, with virtual poker and casinos being some of the most popular options. It’s a growing trend that comes with its own specific risks, however, such as financial loss, gambling-related debts, poor performance at school and more. Young people are often introduced to gambling behaviours through features of some online games such as loot boxes and skin betting, so it’s important that adults are aware of how to spot these and know how to talk to young people about them.

Online gambling is also a risky activity for psychological reasons too, with the constant availability of gaming platforms leading to disrupted sleep and eating habits, as well as other negative emotions like guilt, anxiety or depression. Moreover, some gambling sites are not properly regulated and can have unfair odds or rigged games, as well as slow payouts.

Some players can be tempted to gamble with cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, Ethereum and Litecoin because of their lower fees and instant transactions. However, it’s crucial to understand that this type of payment is not available at all online gambling sites and is only used by a handful of them. To avoid this, you should only use reputable online casinos that accept traditional credit and debit cards, which are safe, fast and widely accepted.