When it comes to gambling there are many options to choose from. Some of these include land-based casinos, bingo, poker, and sports betting. But there is also a newer, faster, and more convenient option: internet gambling. This form of gambling is a growing phenomenon, and has been linked to an increase in gambling problems. In addition, internet-based gambling has the potential to be pathological and to lead to health concerns.
Among the most notable changes in the gambling landscape in the past fifteen years is the increased availability of the Internet. The number of regulated online casinos and other venues is growing rapidly. And more and more jurisdictions are realizing the benefits of regulation. For example, Discovery Communications agreed to place ads for the Tropical Paradise, a Costa Rican casino operation.
Although Internet gambling has been linked to an increase in problem gambling, there is little concrete evidence to support that claim. Research has been conducted to find out which features of Internet gambling are associated with problems and which are not. These findings suggest that a combination of factors – including the type of gambling, the frequency of gaming, the amount of money spent, and the frequency of gambling – could lead to a higher prevalence of problem gambling. Despite these findings, it is important to acknowledge that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to identifying and addressing the issue.
A survey of 1119 individuals reported the highest rates of smoking, alcohol consumption, and disability among gamblers. Similarly, the study found that the rate of problem gambling was higher for Internet gamblers than for non-Internet gamblers. However, most longitudinal studies on the topic contain too few participants to draw definitive conclusions about the relationship between Internet gambling and the onset of gambling problems.
Fortunately, there is a lot of research that has been done on the subject. In particular, the DSM-5 Task Force asked for more research on Internet gaming. As a result, there has been an explosion of research on the subject.
The most important thing to note is that the prevalence of internet gambling may be higher than you think. Indeed, a 2007 British Gambling Prevalence Study found that about 6 percent of the population used the Internet to gamble. Its not all that surprising, given that the accessibility of the Internet and the high-speed connections it offers are major advantages.
In order to identify the most important findings, a comprehensive review of the literature was undertaken. The key metric was the amount of gambling activity performed during the previous 12 months. This was done by comparing a group of matched Internet gamblers and non-Internet gamblers. Researchers found that the most significant benefit of internet gambling was the increased accessibility. While this is the case, most of the online gambling community is still awash in hype.
Aside from the obvious advantages of being able to play online games from the comfort of your home, the Internet can provide you with a plethora of betting options. It is also a faster, more convenient way to gamble, and provides greater value for the money you spend.
