Gambling and the Internet

Problem gambling is gambling behavior that involves disruptions in any major area of life: psychological, physical, social or vocational. The term “problem gambling” includes, but is not limited to, the condition known as pathological or compulsive gambling. This condition’s symptoms include:

• A progressive addiction characterized by increasing preoccupation with gambling
• A need to bet more money more frequently
• Restlessness or irritability when attempting to stop
• “Chasing” losses
• Loss of control manifested by continuation of the gambling behavior in spite of mounting, serious, negative consequences

Compulsive Gambler

A compulsive gambler is a condition just as dangerous and debilitating as drug or alcohol addiction. According to statistics, one in 10 people has an online gambling addiction and can’t get out of it anymore. In addition, the worse the gambling addiction is, the more that they have a loss for life, their circle of friends, their hobbies, and their broken family. As gambling on the Internet becomes more popular and more sites crop up, those numbers are expected to increase.

Sports Betting

Gambling is affecting younger people as well. Drawn in by the popularity of poker, half of all men in college are gambling on a monthly basis — even though betting on sports is illegal everywhere in the U.S. except Nevada. Nevertheless, the industry rakes in mind-boggling amounts of cash. By some estimates, $7 billion is wagered on the Super Bowl alone in casinos, online and with bookies.

“Sports betting is the rock of Gibraltar,” Ed Looney, executive director of Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey said. “It’s American, like apple pie. That will always be there. People love to bet on it. People love to bet on their football games.”

Online Gambling Accessibility

Online gambling has seemed to cause more problems with gamblers by enabling players to have easier access to betting games as studies have shown that the majority of Internet gamblers were found to have serious gambling problems. During a study by the University of Connecticut Health, 74 percent of the participants of the study were classified as level 2 or 3 gamblers. Although further studies are being worked on to find more about the severity of the problem, it is known that the availability of online gambling can attract those looking to hide their addiction and looking to gamble whilst isolated and anonymous.

The accessibility of the Internet makes it extremely simple for anyone to start gambling as much and whenever the addict would like. Bets are also smaller so users are more attracted to start playing. Traveling to a real casino isn’t as easy and costs more money; therefore those with higher incomes are more likely to do so. Those with gambling addictions can be drawn to play online because of the huge range of gambling opportunities and ease of connecting quickly shortening the time to start playing.

Psychological Dependency of Gambling

The psychological dependency on the game is the same illness as narcotics or alcoholism. Alongside them, online gambling addiction is increasing in concern. In Europe and the United States, the basic contingent of visitors of game institutions is pensioners. The game for them is a way of a pastime when they currently have no purpose and task.

According to statistics, about 3 to 5 percent of inhabitants of larger cities suffer from an online gambling problem. Unfortunately, only 5 percent of them realize that they are sick and agree to treatment.

A report, entitled Gambling Addiction and Its Treatment within the NHS states that electronic money transactions can seem less real to gamblers, who are further encouraged by anonymous and always-on web, interactive TV, and mobile phone services. The authors also say online gaming firms deliberately fix practice play to make wins seem more likely and express worries that tracking technology can mean a game operator knows more about how individuals gamble than they do themselves.

Gambling Addiction Help

If you or someone you know is struggling with a gambling addiction, we can help. Please call our toll free number at (877) 259-5635. We are available 24 hours a day to answer your questions on gambling addiction treatment. All calls are considered private.

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