Online gambling involves betting on casino games, lotteries, horse or dog races, sports events, card games or Electronic Gaming Machines (poker machines). Unlike land-based casinos, online gambling can be played 24 hours a day from any location with an Internet connection. It has grown rapidly in recent years, offering a wide range of gambling options to UK citizens. It also carries significant risks, including addiction and money-related problems. Online gambling can also lead to social isolation, strained relationships, loss of employment and health-related issues.
Like other addictive behaviours, gambling disorder is characterized by compulsive and excessive gambling-related activities. Individuals may experience a variety of symptoms, such as lying to family and friends about their gambling, spending more time on gambling activities than planned and experiencing feelings of withdrawal when trying to reduce gambling. These symptoms can have serious consequences for individuals’ lives and relationships, particularly when they are trying to cut down on gambling or stop altogether.
Research indicates that for some problem gamblers, Internet gambling is the proximal cause of their problems. However, most studies examining this relationship use cross-sectional data, which cannot determine causality, and self-report, which is subject to recall and social desirability biases. Furthermore, a number of Internet gambling studies are not fully representative of the wider population.
Some online gambling websites offer in-game purchases that can add up to a large debt. In addition, in-game bonuses and offers can be enticing, adding to the risk of making unplanned or impulsive purchases. Many people struggle to control their spending, particularly in the digital environment where it can be difficult to monitor spending.
Gambling games are designed to trigger reward and motivation circuits in the brain. This includes the release of dopamine, which is a neurotransmitter that increases alertness and makes people feel good after winning. The reward systems of gambling games are similar to the way that heroin or cocaine affects the brain. However, unlike drugs, gambling is legal in most jurisdictions.
Although gambling is legal in most jurisdictions, some people are struggling with addiction to online gambling. These people are unable to control their spending and often lose their jobs, homes and relationships due to this addiction. In some cases, they even try to steal from their families and employers to fund their gambling addiction. Some even take out loans to pay off their losses. Fortunately, there are a number of organisations that provide help for online gambling addiction. To find out more about online gambling and get the help you need, click here. Alternatively, you can contact GamCare for free advice on 0808 8020 005. They can give you tips to stay safe while gambling online and offer support and advice for anyone who is having difficulty controlling their gambling. They can also help you access treatment if you need it. They are here to help you and your family. So don’t wait any longer, contact them today to see how they can help.