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The Dangers of Online Gambling

The Dangers of Online Gambling

Online Gambling is betting on games of chance or skill for money using a computer, mobile phone or tablet with internet access. This includes but is not limited to casino websites, sports betting sites, poker sites and other games of chance. It does not include Video Lottery Terminals (VLT).

Gambling is a fun and entertaining activity for many people, but it can also be harmful. For some, gambling can lead to serious addiction problems. In fact, the American Psychiatric Association includes gambling disorder in its category of substance-related and addictive disorders along with alcohol and drug use disorder.

Individuals who are addicted to gambling have a compulsion to gamble that overrides their ability to control their behavior. They experience intense urges to bet and are unable to stop gambling, even when they are experiencing financial losses. They may also engage in other risky behaviors, such as borrowing money or maxing out credit cards to fund their gambling habit.

In addition, individuals who are addicted to gambling often neglect other areas of their life, such as work and family responsibilities. This can result in missed deadlines, poor performance at work or school, and conflicts with friends and loved ones. Additionally, they often have poor health habits, such as sleep disturbances and irregular eating patterns, which contribute to deteriorating health.

Research has found that certain personality traits make people more susceptible to developing a gambling disorder. For example, a 2023 study in Frontiers in Psychology found that people with high levels of neuroticism and low levels of conscientiousness were more likely to develop a gambling problem.