Online gambling is any type of betting conducted via the internet. This includes casinos, online poker and virtual poker. The first online gambling site opened for the public, was lottery ticketing from October 1994 through November 1996. The majority of online sites began as an extension to existing land based gambling sites. In some cases, a virtual gambling room was created to give online gamblers the feel that they were actually playing in a physical casino. Today, however, many websites conduct all types of gaming, whether they are games of chance or games of skill.
Today there are several payment options available for online gamblers. PayPal is one of the most popular methods used. Other options include credit cards, wire transfers, and other online casinos may also offer other payment options, such as Google Check Out. Most payment options should ensure that private information such as credit card numbers and address is protected from theft.
Before you join any online gambling site, make sure that it is licensed with the state in which you live. Additionally, some states have taken steps to regulate online gambling by banning the use of PayPal. A list of these states with the laws regulating online gambling can be found at the State Athletic Association of Texas. Although PayPal is not banned in all states, you must ensure that your payment choices are safe with regulated gambling sites.