Internet gambling is a fairly new form of gambling that has changed the way gamblers engage with the process. It offers faster feedback, a wider variety of betting options, and more value for the money.
Gambling on the Internet can be quite addictive. In fact, the DSM-5 lists a new category of internet gaming disorder. However, there has not been enough research on the subject to say for sure whether or not this is true.
The problem is that a single gambling index may not be sufficient to predict if gambling on the Internet is a good idea. Moreover, some individuals may already have existing problems that preclude gambling on the Internet.
For instance, alcohol use and illicit drug use are strong predictors of gambling problems. But they aren’t the only factors. And they won’t necessarily be correlated with the prevalence of problematic gamblers.
One study found that a higher rate of problem gambling was associated with the purchase of a lottery ticket online. Another survey found that internet gamblers are a bit more likely to drink alcohol than other adults.
Similarly, the survey found that internet gamblers are able to get access to large amounts of cash online. These benefits have led to a surge in participation in regulated Internet gambling sites.
In the past fifteen years, internet gambling has altered the landscape of the gambling industry. It has also prompted concern from state officials that the technology could be used to bring illegal gambling into their jurisdictions.