ONLINE GAMBLING AND ADDICTION
The accessibility of
the Internet makes it extremely simple for anyone to start gambling as much and
whenever the addict would like. Bets are also smaller so users are more
attracted to start playing. Traveling to a real casino isn’t as easy and costs
more money; therefore those with higher incomes are more likely to do so. Those
with gambling addictions can be drawn to play online because of the huge range
of gambling opportunities and ease of connecting quickly shortening the time to
start playing.
If a
problem gambler spends two or three days gambling at a casino, someone will
likely notice (for example, his friends, family, casino staff, etc.). In
contrast, online gamblers can play at work, at home, or even on smart phones
without anyone being aware that they are actually gambling.
A very
important part of gambling addiction treatment is having a strategy to avoid
play. For traditional gambling, this generally means avoiding casinos, VLTs,
bars, or other physical locations where gambling is made available. With online
gambling avoiding this temptation is much more difficult. Every computer with
internet access (whether it is at work, home, or somewhere else) becomes a
virtual casino awaiting the next bet.
With
online gambling, access to one's bank account is always only a click away -
which makes the likelihood of impulse betting and "chasing losses"
much greater compared to locations where one must physically withdraw money
from a bank machine (for example).
One of
the most common "tricks" used by online casinos is to offer a
"free-to-play" version of their games. Of course, the goal is to
introduce new players to online gambling and make them feel comfortable placing
real bets with real money after they have had some success with the free
version. And how do internet gambling websites make sure that new players are
successful? Simple, the odds are inflated to favor the player when he/she is
gambling with play money. By doing so, the player incorrectly assumes that the
success he / she had with the free version will translate into success when
using real money. Of course, the odds change in favor of the house as soon as
real money is involved.
On the
internet it is sometimes easy to forget that electronic money is still real
money (just ask any eBay user about how easy it is to chase a bid well beyond
what is a reasonable asking price). Players may be able to use credit cards to
deposit money into an online account that they can access as funds inevitably
run out.
Internet
gambling websites may use computer programs to represent what one may believe
to be real human players. These "poker bots" may be programmed for
both optimal play and / or to increase the amount that the human players are
actually betting.
Online
gamblers may unknowingly be the victims of deceptive opponent practices. For
example, one common technique involves collusion between online poker players.
That is, several players are actually in the same physical location and are
sharing information to give them an advantage over other players.
Whereas
traditional casinos may be able to ban problem gamblers, there is little to prevent
a compulsive gambler from accessing online gambling sites at will. Online
gambling sites typically do have policies on restricting access (for example to
underage players and to those who have voluntarily banned themselves), but
their ability to actually enforce this is very debatable. Furthermore, a player
banned from one site can simply sign up at another with just a few mouse
clicks.
Online
gambling at home provides greater convenience and comfort than playing in a
casino, allows bets to be placed without the scrutiny of others, offers a more
immerse interface, and allows players to place bets after heavy consumption of
drugs or alcohol - all factors which can increase both the duration of time
spent gambling and the amount of money wagered.
Online
gambling websites are among the fastest growing and most profitable businesses
in existence today. The keys to the
business success of the online gambling model are not difficult to see.
Compared
to traditional land-based casinos, online gambling websites are able to operate
at a fraction of the cost, do not require tangible materials or equipment
(machines, tables, security cameras, a physical building, etc.), and do not
need the hundreds of staff that would normally be required for a traditional
casino (e.g., dealers, servers, security guards, floor managers, cleaning
staff, bartenders, restaurant staff, etc.).
Just
like in a traditional casino, when it comes to internet gambling, the odds are
always in favor of the house (or in this case, the programmers who designed the
software). Of course the player has a small chance of making money in short
term, but losing is a mathematical certainty over the long term if play
continues.
SOURCE: http://www.techaddiction.ca/online-gambling-addiction.html
SOURCE: http://www.addictionhelpcenter.com/gambling-and-the-internet/
SOURCE: http://www.techaddiction.ca/online-gambling-casino.html
