
Online gambling is a multi-billion dollar industry that allows users to access various types of casino games, sports betting, lottery tickets, keno, and other types of gambling activities from the convenience of their homes. This new mode of access has raised concerns that it may increase the risk of gambling-related harms, especially when combined with other problematic behaviours such as risky alcohol consumption and risky drug use. However, it is important to consider that not all online gambling forms are equal and that how individuals access these services also influences the likelihood of experiencing harms.
For some people, gambling can be a fun and entertaining activity. For others, however, it can be a serious problem that causes significant distress and adverse consequences. This is reflected in the American Psychiatric Association’s classification of gambling disorder as a mental health condition, alongside problems like addiction and substance use disorders.
While there are a number of factors that contribute to the development of gambling disorder, recent research suggests that the Internet plays an important role in increasing access and exposure to problematic gambling. In particular, social media sites are being used by young people to access free-to-play simulated gambling games or direct links to real gambling websites (Gainsbury and Wood 2011; Wohll et al. 2017).
In a recent qualitative study, participants in their mid-20s were asked about their experience with simulated gambling and online casinos. They were also asked about their experiences with other forms of gambling and whether or not they had experienced any gambling-related harms in the past. It was found that those who reported the highest levels of gambling-related harm were more likely to have started playing simulated gambling on Facebook and were also more likely to have experienced previous problems with other forms of gambling.
It is also important to note that the Internet has changed the way in which people engage with gambling and that this has been a catalyst for a number of changes within the gambling sector. For example, it has led to a proliferation of online gambling venues, some of which are highly sophisticated and offer customers an experience that is very similar to traditional casinos. This has raised concerns that it might make it easier for criminals to launder money and commit other types of crimes associated with gambling.
Despite these concerns, it is also important to recognise that there are ways in which online gambling can be used to reduce gambling-related harms. Prevention strategies can include educational programs aimed at young people, the implementation of health communication campaigns and community education forums. Furthermore, it is essential to address the underlying issues that cause problem gambling and to provide treatment for those who are struggling. This can be done through techniques such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), where people work with a therapist to help identify faulty thoughts, such as the feeling that they are ‘due to win’ after a streak of losses and motivational interviewing, where people explore their ambivalence about changing their behaviour.