Online Gambling is betting or playing games of chance for money using a computer, tablet, mobile phone or other internet-connected device. This includes casino games, sports betting and other types of e-gaming.
The number of people gambling online is increasing rapidly. This is partly because online gambling is easy to access. It doesn’t require you to travel and you can play anytime, anywhere as long as you have a reliable internet connection. However, there are some concerns about the rise of online gambling. These include the potential for young people to develop problem gambling behaviours as a result of features in some online games such as loot boxes and skin betting. This can lead to financial problems, poor performance at school and other negative consequences.
A recent article in the peer-reviewed journal Cyberpsychology and Behavior found that young people who gamble online have smaller volumes in their amygdala and hippocampus, two brain regions associated with emotional learning and stress regulation. In addition, they have lower self-control and are more impulsive. This research highlights the need for policymakers to consider the impact of online gambling on children and young people.
Fraud is an ongoing challenge for online gambling operators, resulting in lost revenue, damaged relationships with payment processors and time spent managing fraudulent activity. The best way to combat fraud is through strong authentication and anti-fraud technologies.