Online Gambling is the use of an electronic device to play games of chance or skill for money. Using a computer, tablet or smartphone with an internet connection, users can place bets at a variety of online gambling sites. Some sites offer free games, while others charge real money. In the US, a growing number of states have legalized and regulated online gambling.
Like other types of addiction, online gambling can cause severe disruptions in an individual’s personal and professional lives. Symptoms include preoccupation with gambling, mood swings, lying about gambling activities and financial losses. In addition, people who are addicted to gambling can have trouble forming healthy relationships with friends and family.
Research shows that certain personality traits are associated with an increased risk of developing an online gambling problem. For example, a 2023 study published in Frontiers in Psychology found that individuals with high levels of neuroticism and low conscientiousness were more likely to develop an addiction to online gambling. Those with low levels of agreeableness also have a higher risk for online gambling addiction.
It can be challenging to avoid online gambling triggers when it is so prevalent in our society. Even if someone has installed self-exclusion software on their devices, they may be exposed to gambling advertising through TV, radio and billboards. Additionally, social media and web-based forums and message boards are full of gambling information and experiences, which can trigger a person to gamble again.