The online gambling industry is becoming increasingly popular right now. The sector was valued at a whopping $66.7 billion in 2020 and is projected to grow by almost 30% over the next three years, reaching nearly $93 billion by 2023.

The reasons for the pastime’s skyrocketing popularity are manifold. As well as offering punters the chance to win some money, betting can also offer a thrill of excitement, a competitive element and an enjoyable gaming experience, depending on the type of bet being laid. In fact, that variety is another reason why fans are flocking to online betting websites in their droves.

If you’re a gambling newbie and want to understand what all the fuss about, the first step is learning how to bet online. This means getting to grips with the different ways in which you can do so. To help you on your journey, here’s a brief introduction to four of the most popular ways to bet online at the moment.

Lotteries

As one of the oldest games of chance in the world, the history of the lottery stretches back centuries. It was first practiced in 15th century Europe, but has since spread all over the globe. Nowadays, trying to strike it lucky on the lottery is the number one gambling pastime in many countries all over the planet.

The fact that the lottery works on the same principles as a random number generator (RNG) means that it lends itself perfectly to playing online. It’s extremely popular due to the low price of entry, the ease of buying a ticket and the astronomical sums that can be won if you scoop the jackpot.

Slots

Slot machines have been the main attraction of amusement arcades for over a century now, but their random nature makes them a perfect candidate for transitioning into the digital world. Online casino operators have not been slow to take advantage of that fact, with countless websites now offering a variety of different games to choose from.

In fact, the possibilities contained in online slots are much more expansive than those in physical machines, meaning that this is one way of betting that has undoubtedly improved in its online capacity. Today, the latest game developers produce slots with engaging gameplay and cutting-edge graphics, making the game itself as much of a lure as the possibility of winning money.

Table games

If you prefer skill-based games to ones of chance, table games might be the best option for you. Card games like poker you to pit your wits against other competitors or the House, adding an extra spice to proceedings and gilding any victories with an additional feeling of achievement.

Meanwhile, there are plenty of other alternative options which are more of a balance between skill and luck, such as roulette, blackjack and craps. And with the advent of live casinos, playing a table game online is now almost as intimate and involving an experience as being in a brick-and-mortar establishment.

Sports betting

Sports enthusiasts shouldn’t feel left out when it comes to placing a bet online, either. A robust sports betting industry has sprung up in places like the UK and much of Europe. While North America has historically lagged behind in terms of its acceptance of the practice and its regulation of the sector, it is now becoming legal in more and more places.

Whether you prefer horse racing or football, tennis or soccer, there’s sure to be a sporting event that catches your eye. Bookmakers now also offer even more ways to bet on individual matches, from predicting the victor to specifying the number of scores to stipulating particular events that will occur during the match. In today’s online environment, the world wide web is a sporting bettor’s oyster.