Increasingly, Internet gambling is being regulated as an important consumer protection tool. In addition, it can generate taxation revenue. However, there have been questions raised about whether this is constitutional. Several attempts to limit the scope of the Commerce Clause have been unsuccessful.
There are also concerns about the potential for harm. For example, pathological use of the Internet could lead to addiction and other harmful consequences. Moreover, Internet gambling can contribute to excessive gambling. The availability of a variety of betting products and rapid feedback may increase the rates of disordered gambling.
In a recent study, researchers found that a significant number of individuals were involved in online gambling at some point in their lives. In the United States, more than one-third of the gambling market is derived from online casinos. In 2007, approximately 6 percent of the British population used the Internet to gamble.
There is concern that the Internet will be used to bring illegal gambling into the jurisdictions of state officials. This has resulted in some state officials expressing their fear that the Internet will stifle their enforcement policies.
In 1999, multiplayer online gambling was introduced, giving people the chance to interact with each other. This is also referred to as interactive remote gambling.
In 1998, online gambling revenues reached $830 million. During 2001, eight million people participated in online gambling. In 2015, the gross win of the gambling market exceeded $400 billion. While internet gambling is not legal in all countries, it is increasingly regulated. In addition, the availability of high-speed connections has enabled rapid bets.