Internet gambling refers to a variety of gaming activities, including casino games, sports betting, lotteries and virtual poker. It can be carried out from the comfort of the user’s home, and offers the convenience of easy access to a broad range of betting options. However, it is also illegal in some jurisdictions. Several federal criminal statutes are implicated in this area. In the United States, there is a federal law that prohibits acceptance of financial instruments for unlawful Internet bets, and states have laws that prohibit the use of the Internet for gambling.
Despite its illegality, the prevalence of online gambling is relatively low. Nevertheless, the use of the internet for gambling may increase as technological advances make it easier to play. There is little evidence, however, to connect the increase in Internet gambling with gambling problems. Among gamblers, those who report problem gambling are more likely to be involved in Internet gambling than non-problem gamblers. Moreover, Internet gamblers are more likely to engage in alcohol and drug use and are more likely to engage in self-harming behavior.
The DSM-5 includes a new category for Internet Gaming Disorder. This type of disorder involves pathological, repetitive and excessive use of the Internet. While Internet problem gamblers are largely responsible for their own problems, they also may have existing ones. Therefore, it is important to conduct research to identify factors that contribute to these problems. Until now, most of the studies have been cross-sectional. As such, it is necessary to conduct longitudinal studies. To date, most such studies have not included a sufficiently large sample of Internet gamblers.
Internet gambling is facilitated by high-speed, wireless technology and internet-enabled devices. High-speed connections are able to process bets quickly and offer a wide variety of betting options. Gambling online is more convenient, and offers better value for money. Furthermore, it is a way for players to receive feedback on their bets more rapidly than traditional wagering. Increasingly, these platforms are being used for entertainment, recreational and e-commerce purposes.
Some researchers have questioned whether Internet gambling is a causal factor in gambling problems. These researchers have compared self-reports of gambling problems to online gambling site surveys. They found that although some Internet problem gamblers attribute their problems to land-based gambling, most of them have problems before they began using the internet. Additionally, a study of self-reports of problem Internet gambling showed that the self-reports are affected by a number of biases.
Another study of problem gamblers found that more than half of them have attributed their problems to internet gambling. Specifically, the most common blames were for casino games, poker, race wagering, and sports betting. Other factors, such as illicit drugs, drinking and alcohol consumption, were also noted. Interestingly, a high level of accessibility was also noted as a potential factor for disordered gambling.
In light of these findings, it is important to conduct longitudinal studies to examine the relationship between gambling and disordered behavior. Longitudinal studies should address how Internet gambling behavior is integrated with offline gambling. Research should also consider how to determine who is at risk for problems.