The use of gambling and new technologies is not limited to land based casinos. It also includes online gambling. Internet casinos offer the possibility to gamble with a number of different games such as blackjack and video poker. However, it is important to note that this is not a safe activity. There are many negative consequences that may result from this activity.
Internet vs land-based gamblers
In an effort to understand the nature of help seeking among problem Internet gamblers, researchers compared characteristics of problem Internet gamblers with those of problem land-based gamblers. Understanding the differences in these characteristics can help guide the optimal alignment of treatment services.
The study examined 620 problem gamblers who participated in the 2006 Canadian Problem Gambling Index. Of these, 335 problem land-based gamblers nominated land-based modes as the most problematic medium. A total of 285 problem Internet gamblers nominated internet modes through computers and mobile phones.
A logistic regression model was used to compare the characteristics of problem Internet gamblers with those who were problem land-based gamblers. The characteristics of problem Internet gamblers were significantly different from those of problem land-based gamblers. This study also tested the hypothesis that problem Internet gamblers were less likely to seek help.
The results showed that problem Internet gamblers were less likely than problem land-based gamblers to seek formal help, including gambling counselors. Also, problem Internet gamblers were significantly less likely than problem land-based gamblers, to access self-help strategies, and to self-exclude from websites.
Disadvantages of internet gambling
While Internet gambling has a number of positive features, it is also a potential source of problems. For example, the ease of access and speed of play can lead to prolonged sessions and overspending. Some sites even charge for withdrawals. If you choose the right online casino, you can avoid pitfalls.
Online gaming platforms are becoming more popular for leisure activities and entertainment. Gambling platforms can be accessed through wireless devices and include virtual reality headsets. They offer self-set spending limits and time-out options.
A recent Australian study surveyed 6682 internet gamblers. The results showed that gamblers who are at risk for gambling problems engaged in a variety of risk-taking behaviours. Among the most notable was an increase in use of drugs during gambling. Problem gamblers also had higher household debt.
In the past 15 years, Internet gambling has grown in both frequency and amounts of money spent. Despite this, little research has examined the relationship between Internet gambling and disordered gambling.
Help-seeking rates among Internet gamblers
Research has shown that problem Internet gamblers are less likely to seek help than problem land-based gamblers. Understanding the characteristics of problem Internet gamblers is necessary to determine the best match between support services and the individual.
Help seeking is defined as an intentional action that changes gambling behavior. It includes self-help strategies, informal supports, and formal or professional help. A variety of self-management approaches, including limit setting, behavioural substitution, avoidance, and behavioural substitution, are also used by people with gambling problems.
The World Health Organisation defines help-seeking as “an action taken by an individual that tries to change a behavior or condition.” Studies have identified different forms of help-seeking among problem Internet gamblers. They include online support groups, telephone help, and face-to-face gambling counseling.
One study conducted by Wood and Griffiths evaluated the use of help-seeking resources by Internet gamblers. They found that gamblers sought gambling assistance through a variety of sources, including formal helpline, non-professional help, family, and friends. In addition, some Internet gamblers sought assistance through the website self-exclusion option. However, this approach may not be sufficient for all Internet gamblers.
Negative consequences of gambling
Gambling and new technologies can have many negative consequences, and they affect more than just the gambler. These harms can include debt, mental health problems, family breakdown, relationship problems, and more.
Using a public health approach, research can provide insights into gambling and new technologies’ impacts, and help justify policy responses. Specifically, researchers can create models to identify at-risk individuals, and they can create interventions that can be tailored to that person.
Problem gambling, or pathological gambling, is a serious problem. It causes many negative effects, including homicide, intimate partner violence, and increased rates of dating violence. Research also finds that people with problematic gambling are more likely to suffer from severe marital and child abuse.
Problem gambling often takes place in deprived areas. Studies have shown that it is more common among lower-income households than higher-income households. The gambling industry has also been found to cause increases in social inequality, as well as an increase in social disorganization.
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