If you have been spending most of your time at home over the last twelve months, then you probably already know what online casinos and other online betting platforms are. According to the latest statistics, so does the great majority of the global population that has permanent internet access. In Europe, Asia, and North America, the stay-at-home policy has brought all sorts of new trends, and perhaps the most impactful one is the increasing popularity of online betting. Sites that offer poker, roulette, blackjack, slots, and other classic casino games have experienced an unprecedented surge in the number of new visitors and regular players.
The trend is quickly becoming one of the most discussed topics among some of the most prominent psychologists, sociologists, and entertainment experts. And, even though the number of people who engage in gambling activities is higher than ever, most professionals, regardless of their background, offer superficial explanations and don’t see any long-term consequences of such behavior. The problem is, of course, more than complex and deserves a more detailed multi-perspective analysis.
While TV faces see it as a benign way to kill the time that suddenly became abundant, several questions remain unanswered. What are the consequences of long-term gambling? How addictive is this seemingly innocent habit? What do the current numbers tell us about our true nature? Do we all have a little gambling addict, sleeping somewhere deep in our subconsciousness, waiting for the right time to come out? These and many other important questions were the focus of our latest research, and some of the answers might be rather surprising. So take a look!
Permanent Availability
According to experts from Al Das Clinic, the amount of time necessary to develop an addiction may differ greatly between people. In the end, it all comes to your current emotional, physical, and financial situation. However, the fact that so many experts tend to oversee, is that online gambling platforms are available around the clock. In other words, modern technology allows you to gamble whenever and as much as you want. Consequently, it is very easy to lose track of time and waste entire afternoons playing intoxicatingly simple gambling games and their countless variants.
Those who live in single-person households are, without any doubt, at greater risk of developing an addiction. They don’t have anyone in their proximity who could point out that they have a habit that’s getting out of control. You don’t need to drive for hours, to your nearest casino resort. There’s no need to plan and ask your boss for days off. All it takes is a stable connection and a few clicks. The addiction, therefore, keeps growing undisturbed and becomes obvious only once its consequences start affecting the very foundations of the player’s life.
Luring by Design
Online casinos, sportsbooks, and other gambling platforms are designed to lure you in. They offer a wide range of gifts, the so-called promotions, and bonuses, whose sole purpose is to trick you into betting more often and with higher stakes. If you don’t have any experience with this type of entertainment, receiving a $1000 bonus for a $500 deposit might seem like a deal of the century. However, if you’re careful enough and take the time to read the terms and conditions page, you will quickly realize that the requirements you have to fulfill to withdraw your money are quite unfair.
Undefeatable Artificial Intelligence
If you believe you have figured out a new and unique approach that will allow you to score big wins, maybe it’s time to revise your thinking process. Modern poker rooms, online slots, and all other gambling games are controlled by state-of-the-art computers and AIs. In other words, your chances of cheating, predicting the outcome, and eventually winning, are right next to none. Of course, we are talking about mid to long-term profitability. The computer will allow you to win just so often, to keep you interested. Your profits will usually be slightly lower than your expenses, and it will seem as if you missed the highest prize due to an unlucky set of circumstances.
Possible Legal Consequences
On top of all the health risks that are tightly connected to online gambling, you should also be aware of the potential legal consequences. In most countries, laws that regulate online gambling are still rather vague, susceptible to contradictory interpretations, and in some cases, the entire industry is still unregulated. Therefore, should you become a victim of fraud or any other unpredicted adversity, you will most likely be on your own. A huge chunk of online gambling platforms claims to hold licenses issued by prominent regulatory bodies. However, once you look into it and visit those institutions’ sites, you’ll realize that they are usually based in distant overseas locations. Their ability to adapt their services concerning your local laws is more than questionable and would require huge legal teams and international experts those establishments can’t afford.
The Chemical Aspect
An average online casino is a rather dynamic environment. Everything happens much faster than it does in a land-based casino, making you incapable of tracking your progress. Small wins, engaging sound effects, and bright colors are designed to trigger the most vulnerable parts of your brain and provide you with tiny but pleasant dopamine hits. After a while, playing, which was once only a means of earning money, now becomes its own purpose. And, before you know it, you’re hooked and you don’t even care if you’re winning or losing. All that matters is to keep those wheels spinning.
Gambling in Moderation Means Staying Safe
All jokes aside, gamblers are not born, they are regular people, just like you and I, who simply didn’t know any better. If gambling and games of luck have to be a part of your routine, make sure you keep them under control. The best approach would be to limit the time you spend enjoying this hobby and deposit as little money as you can. Play them to have fun, or kill time, but not to earn money. Because that’s something that simply isn’t going to happen.
