Online Gambling and Social Illnesses

There is a growing body of evidence that online gaming has become a major contributor to social ills. In fact, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th edition) has now recognized Internet gaming disorder as an official category. According to the new classification, most Internet gamblers engage in gaming in a moderate manner and spend minimal amounts of money. However, a study from the Harvard Medical School suggests that the majority of these online gamblers are not in fact addicted to gambling and spend only a small portion of their time playing online.

In fact, the UIGEA allows online operators to offer games of skill. These games, like poker, are only allowed in certain states. For example, Nevada has legalized online poker, but players must be a Nevada resident to play. In addition to online poker, fantasy sports are also considered a form of skilled gaming. Traditionally, these games have been dominated by the likes of ESPN and Yahoo! (YHOO).

Online gambling websites accept payments using eWallet services like Paypal and Neteller. Using these services ensures that the online gambling site does not have access to sensitive information about their customers. However, not all banks offer these services. So, it is best to make sure that your banking system supports the option before you sign up.