Online gambling offers many advantages over the traditional way of playing at a brick-and-mortar casino. It is convenient and relatively safe. However, it can also lead to financial and emotional turmoil. Thankfully, regulators are becoming more sophisticated and willing to take action. In addition, online casinos can do more to protect their customers than ever before.

The online gambling industry has come a long way since its early days. Now, a quick Google search for “online casinos” returns hundreds of results. Many of them are reputable and promote fair gaming. Yet, there are some websites that operate without any licenses and take advantage of their customers. These rogue operators are in violation of the laws and are susceptible to seven-figure fines.

Online gambling can provide a fun and convenient way to place sports bets. However, excessive betting can have negative consequences. Among other things, gambling addiction can make a person reckless and emotionally distressed. Excessive spending can burn through savings. And, while it’s possible to quit, it can be a very difficult process.

The greatest success in the online gambling industry has been in the form of “affordability checks,” which require casinos to run checks on customers before allowing them to deposit money into their accounts. These checks are an important part of the regulation of the industry. Sadly, though, it’s a practice that has lacked teeth in the retail space.

Even with the increased regulatory oversight, some online casinos are still rogue operators. They’re targeting high-risk gamblers, generating most of their income from the hefty sums of money won by the most active players. If a customer falls prey to this type of behavior, they could lose their winnings and be subject to forfeiture.

Gambling websites are able to offer more flexible betting limits than physical casinos. Most sites allow their customers to set their own limits for how much they’re prepared to lose, but this isn’t always the case.

Another way to protect yourself from overspending is to use a pre-paid card to fund your account. Most reputable casinos and banks will support this method, although some sites don’t. This allows you to keep your gambling transactions separate from your primary card statements. You’ll also be able to avoid overspending and stay within your budget.

While it’s important to know how to prevent online gambling addiction, it’s also crucial to understand how to get help if you feel like you’re in trouble. One of the best ways to do this is to find a reputable online assessment tool. GamCare, for example, has an online tool that can help you answer a few questions about your gambling habits. The tool will then recommend a next step for you to take.

It’s also essential to make sure your casino is licensed by a reputable body. Several US states have placed robust regulations on online gambling. Some of these regulations require the website to have a self-exclusion tool. Other laws require the site to display links to the state’s government or other support organizations.