Online Gambling is a form of gaming that is conducted over the internet. It is similar to interactive remote gambling, but involves the use of a high-speed internet connection. The Internet provides many benefits for gamblers, including easy access to a large number of betting products and options, as well as speed and convenience. However, it is important to note that it also offers the potential for disordered gambling and is therefore subject to various risks.
As the number of gamblers who engage in online gambling increases, so does the likelihood that the number of problem gamblers will also increase. Various studies have looked at the relationship between online gambling and problem gambling. In addition to the prevalence of problem gambling, research has also explored the factors that cause gambling problems, as well as how the presence of an immersive interface may increase the rate of disordered gambling.
A study of problem Internet gamblers found that, compared with non-problem Internet gamblers, those who were problem Internet gamblers were more likely to consume alcohol, smoke, self-harm, and use illicit drugs. Some researchers have suggested that the causal role of Internet gambling in causing gambling problems may be unclear, though others have noted that some Internet gamblers may already have gambling problems.
Although there are several studies that look at the relationship between Internet gambling and problem gambling, most of the research to date is cross-sectional. This type of study is limited in its ability to predict how disordered gambling may be affected, because it is reliant on the accuracy of self-report.