Unlike land-based gambling, Internet gambling is more likely to cause a gambler to become a problem gambler. This may be due to the continuous availability of the Internet and the ability to place large wagers. The risk of becoming a problem gambler may also be due to the high impulsivity of Internet gamblers.
Online gamblers can be identified by self-report, although this is subject to bias. A few online operators have enacted policies to detect risky players. However, few of these policies have been implemented.
Internet gambling has become the fastest growing industry in the world. Millions of people gamble on different platforms every day. Online gambling businesses must find a way to keep their businesses going. Some of the most popular sites include PokerStars and Full Tilt.
Problem gambling has been associated with psychological comorbidities. The majority of problem gamblers attribute their problems to land-based gambling, while the rest of the Internet gamblers report having problems before they began Internet gambling.
Many Internet problem gamblers report that their problems started with Internet gambling. This suggests a causal role for Internet gambling in the emergence of gambling problems.
Problem gambling research needs to be conducted to develop a comprehensive understanding of Internet gamblers. Studies must be conducted with a variety of player accounts and include behavioural data from various modes of Internet gambling. It is also important to evaluate treatment and prevention strategies for Internet gamblers.
Research should consider whether in-depth online treatment programmes are relevant for Internet gamblers. It should also consider the need to incorporate behavioural data and self-report to detect problem gamblers.