The Dangers of Online Gambling

Online Gambling is a growing industry with millions of people participating in casino games, sports betting, fantasy sports, poker and more. But, like any activity that involves money and chance, it can lead to problems if it’s done in unhealthy ways.

In general, gambling harm is associated with financial stress and relationship breakdown, as well as increased risk of mental illness and suicide. It can also interfere with daily living and cause problems such as food insecurity, housing instability, debt and difficulty accessing healthcare and education. It can also leave a legacy of negative health behaviour across generations.

There is no single cause of Online Gambling, and prevention interventions are best delivered on a population level to address the many individual and environmental factors that contribute. However, relatively little attention has been paid to contextual and relational variables that may influence gambling. The university context, for example, is reported to be a significant predictor of gambling and problem gambling among students.

To gamble online, a person needs three things: a device (computer, phone or tablet), a reliable Internet connection and real money to deposit into an account to make bets with. Once a person has an account, they can play casino games or other iGaming offerings against the house or other players. If they win, their winnings will be deposited into their account and can be withdrawn at any time. If they lose, they can re-deposit money and try again.