Online Gamling is the practice of placing a wager, either virtual or real, on games of chance over the Internet. This can include sports betting, lottery games such as keno and bingo, casino games, and more. It is important to choose a gambling site carefully to avoid getting scammed or ripped off. Look for a padlock icon on the web page and an address that starts with ‘https://’ to ensure the website is safe. Also, be sure to use a user name that does not reveal your personal information and only gamble for small amounts.
The majority of gambling takes place at home, although one in five Online Gamblers have gambled outside of the house. This change is not statistically significant, but it may reflect a shift in behaviour as the availability of gambling opportunities increases. This is also a concern as the burgeoning popularity of gambling online means that it has become easier for fraudsters to target potential victims.
Previous research has questioned the relationship between gambling over the Internet and problems with gambling, but many studies have been cross-sectional and are therefore incapable of demonstrating causality. Those studies have also used self-report measures, which can be subject to bias and rely on accuracy of reporting. This study uses longitudinal data to examine the relationship between breadth and depth of involvement in Internet gambling and gambling problems. It finds that those with more accounts and who play a wide variety of games are at greater risk for problem gambling.