Online Gambling is a type of gambling that involves placing bets through a computer or mobile device. It is popular among people who enjoy the excitement of betting and winning. However, this type of gambling can cause harm if it becomes addictive.
There are several factors that contribute to online gambling addiction. These include environmental influences, rewards system dysregulation, and societal pressures. Environmental factors like the availability of gaming platforms and ease of access to them encourages gambling behavior. Rewards system dysregulation occurs when the brain is no longer able to regulate neurotransmitters that produce feelings of pleasure and excitement. This leads to compulsive behaviors like chasing losses, which is the compulsion to gamble in an attempt to recover money lost in previous gambling sessions.
Lastly, societal pressures influence the development of online gambling addiction. Many individuals feel the need to keep up with the Joneses, and gambling provides them an outlet to do so. This is especially true for younger generations as they are exposed to advertisements and peer pressure.
A person’s personality also plays a role in the development of online gambling addiction. Individuals with high levels of neuroticism, or negative emotions, and low levels of conscientiousness, or self-control, are more likely to experience problem gambling. Additionally, a 2021 study by Moccia et al, found that people with gambling disorder have impaired interoceptive accuracy, which can lead to poor decision-making. This is a significant factor in their addiction to online gambling.