Definition and games
An online casino is an internet service for playing games of chance traditionally associated with casinos. Bets can be placed through a website or app, and the available options may include roulette, blackjack and slots.
The phrase refers to a type of service, not to one particular game. Each game has its own rules: some use software to produce results, while others stream a table with a live dealer. Streaming changes how a round is presented, but it does not remove the betting element.
Access and operation
These services may be accessed through a web browser, installed computer software, or an app for a phone or tablet. A browser generally does not require a dedicated program to be installed. Apps and installed software may offer a different interface, but the access method alone does not change a game's rules or odds.
The operator’s systems process bets and results; graphics, sound and live streams also depend on the device and connection. Available features can differ between operators and territories, so it should not be assumed that every game or feature is available everywhere.
Regulation and risks
Whether a service may be offered depends on the rules that apply where it operates and where it is accessed. In jurisdictions that permit the activity, a licence may set requirements such as age checks and game testing. A licence issued in one country does not automatically authorize an offering in another; local rules need to be checked.
Casino games involve a risk of financial loss, and random outcomes should not be treated as predictable. A study by FGV reported in October 2026 that, in the public posts it examined, online casino games were more often associated with chance, addiction and financial losses than sports betting. This describes observed perceptions; it does not determine any individual’s risk.
An example of a game catalogue
Bettbit is one platform example: it publishes a game catalogue that includes slots and lists roulette and blackjack variants in its hot-games area.