Online Gambling is a form of gambling that is conducted through an online platform. This platform may be a website or a dedicated mobile app. Online gambling platforms offer a range of games including casino games, sports betting, and lottery-style games such as poker and bingo. Online gambling is growing in popularity because it offers the convenience of betting from anywhere. It has also become more accessible due to the advancement of technology.
Despite its convenience, online gambling can lead to addiction if it is not controlled. Addiction is characterized by excessive gambling behavior that affects an individual’s daily life. Symptoms include neglecting personal responsibilities and lying about how much money is being spent on gambling activities. In addition, some individuals are unable to stop gambling even when they experience financial setbacks.
Some causes of gambling addiction are biological, while others have to do with underlying mental health issues. Online gambling triggers the release of dopamine and other feel-good neurotransmitters, which makes a person crave the positive feelings that they get when winning. Researcher Sally M. Gainsbury of Southern Cross University in Australia explains that gamblers often use the activity as a way to avoid daily life stressors and negative emotions.
Some treatment options for gambling addiction include cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), which teaches patients to identify triggers and make healthier choices. Another effective treatment is motivational interviewing (MI), which helps the patient work through ambivalence and commit to change.