I can understand how online gambling could become an obsession…maybe even an addiction. In a split second, I was able to pull up countless gambling sites on the Net. Most of them are quite intriguing. Flashing lights, welcome bonuses, blackjack, video poker and more. The list goes on; the temptations never-ending.
Consider this enticing strategy offered by one online promotion for a website:
There are many different strategies for online roulette, but don’t be deceived. Roulette is one of the easiest casino games to understand. Simply place bets on different number and color combinations that appear on the wheel... then cross your fingers.
Inter Casino Seriously Entertaining; Web. 3.24.13 http://www.intercasino.com/games/roulette/
What about a promise of ‘free money’? The ad below could entice even the most disciplined of souls.
Receive $1000 for Free Gambling at the Best Free Play Casino
Welcome to the home of free gambling! Yukon Gold Casino is renowned for providing players with the most entertaining, safe and best online gambling experience anywhere on the internet. Setting the standard for free play casinos everywhere, we have won numerous awards from Best New Online Casino to Best Casino Service.
Online gambling is available 24/7, in the comfort of your own home, and you don’t even have to change from your pajamas into regular clothes! You can simply step out of bed and begin playing…all day long…until midnight or 2am if you wish. The question is…do most people have the willpower to say no? Many do, but what about those who don’t?
Addictionhelpcenter.com lists the signs and symptoms of problem gambling:
- You gamble when you win and you still gamble when you lose
- You spend more time online than you plan to spend
- You say you will stop, but when the time comes, you find you are unable to stop
- You spend a lot of time thinking about gambling, or worrying about gambling experiences
- You begin to gamble with more money and larger stakes over time
- You become irritable when you cannot be online or gamble
- You bet in order to escape unpleasant moods or memories
- You try to win money back by gambling even more
- You have lied to friends, family, therapists or your boss about your gambling, or you try to hide your gambling habit
- You have done something illegal in order to make up for losses or to continue gambling
- You have risked or lost a significant relationship in your life because of gambling
According to addictionhelpcenter.com, if three of more of these symptoms apply to you, it may be time to seek help.
Addiction Help Center; Web; 3.24.13 http://www.addictionhelpcenter.com/online-gambling-addiction/
I'm not really certain if on-line gambling would really classify as an addiction...I'm assuming that would be so if you felt that gambling (in person) would be an addiction as well. While I feel that most should have control as to whether or not they have control over their gambling, I can see where this could be a problem for some. The excitement of thinking that you can win is quite overwhelming and there is always that one times that you feel that you can "hit the big one". The internet form is just another gateway for people to fill their habits and do so in private.
ReplyDeleteI agree. Some people may not like gambling in a group, face-to-face. They feel more comfortable in front of a monitor. That way, if they lose, they save the embarrassment of admiting that in front of others. This, in my opinion, is the danger of online habitual gambling. If done in moderation, it's fine, but not everyone knows when to quit.
ReplyDeleteI use to gamble online. It did start to feel like an obsession. A problem I had was that I did not feel the pain of physically taking out money and receiving casino chips. When I would loose I did not feel the pain. However, when I won I did feel the same rush. The feeling can be addictive!
ReplyDeleteJames Todd
I can completely see it being an addiction. I've tried it and the minute you start losing you feel this compulsion to try and win your money back. Just as the previous comment mentioned when you win you get a rush. It can totally be addicting.
ReplyDeleteI knew some friends years back when pokerstars and partypoker were just getting big. Early 2000s. I watched this guy rack up thousands of dollars beating people left and right. He would get checks in the mail and bonus money to play with. This takes a sad turn. He got pretty hooked on it, started cutting class and schoolwork, and eventually spent a lot of student loan money. He invested a large amount in pokerstars and got stuck. While his money was help in the system, the gov came in and froze all of the accounts. He never got another check and never got to see the money he had put in.
ReplyDeleteThese stories are very troublesome. Yes, gambling, whether online or otherwise, can become an obsession all too quickly. Like any addiction, complusive gambling can affect not just individual lives, but those of family and friends as well. Too bad it isn't mandated that after spending a certain amount of money online you are cut off...you know, like the bartender who advises the drunk guy at the bar "Hey buddy it's time to go home. You've had enough."
ReplyDeleteAs an online gambler (I go to the casinos in person also) I have given serious thought to the addiction issue. It is true that you have the ability to gamble 24/7 from your home. I have spent some nights gambling when I was still playing when the sun came up(but I have done this at the casino too when I am on vacation). These are few and far between and it was my day off. I have been able to walk away from my computer when I have to go to school or work the next day.
ReplyDeleteThe games are quick and it is easy to get caught in the 'just one more hand' cycle. Just like any activity, online or off, it is a potential problem for those susceptible to addiction.
It is fun, though.Just because you spend a lot of time doing something does not mean it is an addiction. When it starts to be an obsession, or causes undo stress then it is time to reevaluate your priorities. Excellent perspective. Thank you.
I personally don't witness a bunch I Internet gambling first hand, but I believe it's popular among some individuals. I think that Internet gambling can be very addicting and dangerous as it leaves you prone to scams and attacks. If you are uploading your credit card info on gambling sites, that site can be a target for hackers or foul play. There are probably many fake gambling sites out there and if you're not careful, you can give your info to the wrong person.
ReplyDeleteI don't really thing online gambling is a huge problem. I've only witnessed people playing for fun. In other words, not playing with real cash. Maybe its because I don't play online games, im always to busy. Anyway, I do agree with Jibril Amiyr, there are sites out there that are trying to steal credit card information by my making you believe its a legit site. Also, doesn't the house always win? Computer are programmed to bring in more than pay out. I, Personally would never put in credit card information into a computer hoping to receiving a piece of pie. I have a friend with parents in the gambling business. His family owns a casinos. He said they would never gamble, but maybe that's because they have everyone's money.
ReplyDeleteI would have to disagree with you. I know some devout online gamblers. The online aspect, unfortunately, lets them gamble wherever they please. This is a huge enabler for gambling addicts and it doesn't surprise me that people get further in the hole than they realize. At a real casino, people can actually feel their stack of money getting smaller while online gambling gives a false sense of a game with which the money has no value.
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