Online Gambling has rapidly spread over recent decades due to its intrinsic characteristics that make it attractive to people: ease of access, anonymity and variety of games. However, there are also many risk factors and harms related to this activity.
These can include a lack of control over gambling spending, which can divert money away from essential household expenditures or lead to debt; increased vulnerability to social stressors such as separation, retirement or injury; and a lack of support for problem gambling. Moreover, heavy promotion of gambling online and in sport may contribute to the normalization of this form of entertainment for young people.
A major risk associated with Online Gambling is chasing losses, where individuals continue to gamble in the hope of recovering losses from previous sessions. This leads to escalating stakes and increases the likelihood of financial loss and addiction.
Studies have found that online gamblers are more likely to report a higher level of problem gambling and mental health problems, as well as substance use disorders. This may be partly explained by the greater impulsivity and dysfunctional personality traits reported for online gamblers compared with offline and nonproblematic gamblers.
A number of studies have suggested that the onset of online gambling tends to occur at a younger age than traditional gambling, and is often in response to a life event such as a divorce or death of a loved one. Furthermore, several studies have shown that women are more attracted to Online Gambling than men, perhaps because of the relative ease with which they can engage in this activity and because of their perceptions of privacy and safety.