Online Gambling is an activity in which individuals wager money on games or events via the Internet. Unlike traditional casinos, which require individuals to visit them in person, online gambling is accessible from anywhere with an internet connection. The ease of access and ubiquity of online gambling has contributed to its growth, but it also carries risks of addiction and other harms. The lack of face-to-face accountability can increase addictive behavior and financial losses, while the availability of unregulated platforms may lead to unfair odds or rigged games, as well as slow or nonexistent payouts.
In addition, online gambling can trigger the release of dopamine and other feel-good neurotransmitters, which reinforce addictive behaviors. The brain’s receptors for these substances weaken over time, which increases the need to gamble more frequently in order to experience the same pleasure. Moreover, the anonymity of online gambling can prevent people from seeking help or even recognizing that they have a problem.
Amid this growing concern, research has sought to inform a greater understanding of adult participation in Internet gambling, features of this interface that may impact problem severity, and the relationship between Internet gambling and related problems. While some studies have identified early risk indicators, further research is needed to assess whether these indicators are specific to Internet gambling and to identify relevant individual factors that moderate this relationship. Detecting, monitoring and acting on these risk indicators is critical to reduce gambling-related harms.