Online Gambling is a relatively new form of gambling. It first emerged two decades ago as a way to gamble without having to visit an actual casino. Today, there are hundreds of online casinos that allow people to place bets on a variety of games. Online casinos use secure encryption technology to protect players’ personal and financial information. They also partner with payment processing services to ensure that transactions are secure.
Online gambling has the potential to cause a wide range of harms, from the physical to the psychological. For example, consistent involvement in gambling may lead to financial difficulties, feelings of regret or guilt, increased consumption of alcohol or other substances, and reduced time spent with family or friends. Psychologically, problems with gambling can be triggered or worsened by conditions such as generalized anxiety disorder, depression and personality disorders.
While online gambling is most commonly done at home, one in five online gamblers have played from work or while commuting. This is probably due to the fact that many people have been furloughed in recent months and have a lot of extra time on their hands.
NIH states that a person who suffers from online gambling addiction can have severe consequences on their mental health and relationships. Treatment for this addiction often includes psychotherapy, or individual and group counseling sessions. This type of therapy helps a person address the emotional and mental issues that amplified their addiction. The goal is to teach them how to control their behavior and prevent further harm.