Online Gambling involves betting or playing games of chance for money. This can be done on a desktop computer, tablet or mobile phone with an Internet connection. It differs from in-person gambling because there is no face-to-face interaction between the player and the dealer or croupier. Online gambling is a multi-billion dollar industry, and there are many risks associated with it.
People may develop an addiction to online gambling for several reasons, including the ease of access and availability of the activity. The lack of need to travel or adhere to opening hours can make it more convenient and accessible for individuals with busy schedules. However, the increased accessibility can also make it more difficult for people to stop gambling once they start.
Emotional Stress: The ups and downs of gambling can cause emotional stress, leading to anxiety, depression or a constant feeling of worry. This can have a negative impact on other areas of life, such as work or relationships. Identifying and addressing underlying triggers can help break the cycle of gambling.
Fraud: Online gambling sites are vulnerable to fraud, such as phishing and social engineering to obtain user information. They are also prone to be exploited by criminals as a means of laundering illicit funds. Combating these activities can be costly and time-consuming for the operators.
It is important for adults to educate young people about online gambling and gambling-adjacent behaviours – for example, features such as loot boxes and skin betting are present in many online games. This is to help reduce the likelihood of young people developing a gambling problem in the future.