How Online Gambling May Contribute to Problem Gambling
Online gambling is growing in popularity all over the world. It’s a convenient way to make wagers, and it offers most of the same games that you would find at a standard casino. It’s also legal in many countries, although you should always check your local laws before betting real money.
The emergence of online gambling has raised concerns that it may contribute to problem gambling. This is primarily due to its ability to facilitate large wagers, continuous gambling and instant, easy access to a vast number of betting options. However, recent research has shown that the onset of problems can be delayed by early identification and intervention, particularly when risk indicators are acted upon promptly.
However, these measures should not be used as a substitute for clinical assessment or treatment interventions. People with gambling addictions need professional help and should never try to overcome their addiction on their own. A well-structured treatment program can teach them how to use the internet without feeling compelled to gamble and what to do in situations where they want to gamble. It can also teach them financial responsibility.
A person who has a gambling addiction can seek treatment in a variety of ways, including inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation programs. Inpatient rehabilitation is a more intensive program, and is ideal for persons with severe addictions. It can last anywhere from 30 days to a year. Outpatient rehab is suitable for those with mild addictions. Outpatient treatment involves attending classes and counseling sessions in a rehab facility, but does not require the patient to live there.
The average number of gambling accounts held by people who gamble online has remained unchanged over the past few years. The majority of online gamblers have two or more accounts. The vast majority of people who gamble online gamble from home, with the most common location being the living room or bedroom. However, one in five people who gamble online have logged on from other locations outside their homes.
Gambling online is a growing industry, with revenues from the sector expected to increase to more than $83 billion worldwide by 2022. Currently, the most popular gambling websites are those that offer casino games and sports betting. There are also sites that allow players to place wagers on poker, horse racing and other events. In the United States, the first online casinos began to appear in the late 1990s. In 1998, Bob Goodlatte and Jon Kyl introduced bills to the Senate that sought to curb online gambling by making it illegal to advertise it to US residents. However, these did not pass.