Online Gambling is the act of placing a wager on games or sports through an Internet connection. Online gambling is a huge business and can be very addictive. It can also be very risky, especially for people who suffer from a mental illness.
The onset of an addiction to online gambling can be difficult to spot. It can start as an innocent pursuit of excitement and entertainment, but it can become a serious problem that negatively impacts the gambler’s health and well-being. In some cases, it can even be considered a mental illness, and is classified as a gambling disorder by the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5).
Some common characteristics of online gambling include:
Financial motivations are a key driving force for many individuals who engage in online gambling. The allure of winning a large sum of money in a short period of time is appealing to many people, particularly during times of financial stress or loss. In addition to this, chasing losses is a common characteristic of online gambling, which refers to the compulsion to continue gambling in an attempt to recover previous losses.
Other risks of online gambling include poor health outcomes, including deteriorating sleep quality and a sedentary lifestyle, which can lead to weight gain, hypertension, and gastrointestinal problems. In addition, psychological symptoms such as anxiety and depression can develop. Moreover, social isolation is another factor that can contribute to the development of an online gambling habit.