The Problems Caused by Online Gambling
Online gambling is the fastest growing form of gambling. It has also been proven to be the easiest type of gambling for a person to become pathologically addicted to. Problem gambling is gambling excessively to the point that it causes serious problems in a person’s life that can be psychological, physical, social, or vocational. Some type of monitoring system or restrictions should be put in place to keep the number of these problems to a minimum.
Problems caused by Online Gambling
Family Problems- When a gambler becomes pathologically addicted to online gambling they may lose their family or the ones they love. Online gambling can cause confusion, and anger within the family, and the lost of family assets.
Drug and Alcohol Abuse- Depression due to debts caused by online gambling may make a gambler turn to drug and/or alcohol abuse. “12.9% of drinkers have one or more gambling problem,” according to Gamblers Anonymous. Once an online gambler becomes addicted and in dept they may also turn to drug abuse.
Problems in the Workplace- Online gambling is being seen more and more in the workplace. Gambling at work causes lost time for the employee and employer, less productivity, and can even cause theft, fraud, and embezzlement. It can also cause preoccupation, unexcused absences, taking pay instead of vacation, frequently borrowing money, and mood swings.
Cause of Crime-According to Gamblers Anonymous, “47% of problem online gamblers have been involve on some type of insurance fraud, and 40% of middle and upper class crime was associated with some type of serious gambling problem.” When gamblers lose and get in deep dept it tempts them to find an easy way out by stealing, fraud, or embezzlement.
Online Gambling Hurts the Economy- Gambling costs the economy $54 billion annually with online gambling being a big contributor to that figure. This figure includes increase crime, lost work time, bankruptcies, and financial hardships due to problem gambling. The costs of online gambling are comparable to the lost output of an additional recession in the economy every four years.
Conclusion
Between state lotteries, the spread of casinos, and the tremendous growth of 21-hour internet wagering sites, it has never been easier to gamble. Patterns and habits caused by the subconscious mind cases a gambler to be unaware that he or she have been playing too much or realize that they have a problem. Online gambling should be reduced or have restraints because it helps cause these problems. Prohibiting or limiting online gabling will help people to gain control of their lives and their finances. If we allow these websites to continue to operate unlimitedly, there will be a countless number of people in financial ruins due to the compulsive, addictive behavior caused by online gambling.