Online Gambling is the use of computers, mobile phones and tablets to place bets or games of chance for money, typically on a website. The industry has grown rapidly in recent years, especially through commercialization and digitization. Several countries have legalised and regulated online gambling, including New Jersey in the United States. However, the growth of iGaming also brings increased risks, such as scams, unlicensed providers and a lack of transparency in payments. The proliferation of iGaming also threatens to normalize gambling behaviours, especially for children and young people. This is partly due to features in some games like loot boxes and skin betting, but also because of the promotion of gambling through sports events and heavy advertising.

While the majority of online gamblers gamble at home, one in five do so outside of the home. There is a risk of harm for those who engage in this activity, as it diverts resources from essential expenditure such as food or housing. In addition, the risk of gambling-related harm is higher for individuals who are experiencing a life event or social stressor. Personality traits have not been extensively studied but a number of studies report that high impulsivity is associated with both online and offline problematic gambling, as well as with a dysfunctional personality. Some studies report that women are at greater risk of problem gambling than men. A recent comparative study reported that chasing losses is more common among female online gamblers.