Internet Gambling

Internet Gambling is a serious problem. Online casinos have sprung up practically overnight into a multimillion-dollar business, attracting a large number of gamblers worldwide. Gambling has been around for decades, but now access and opportunity are even greater with the invention of Internet gambling, bringing with it a new form of addictive behavior.

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Traditional gambling is glamorized on TV and in the media in a way that other addictions are not. Today, all anyone needs is a computer and the Internet to access the thousands of available online casinos. The 24-hour, seven-days a week availability of online casinos simulate the seductive and realistic experience of traditional casino luring millions of new users each year.

Teens are Most At Risk

At an alarming rate, Internet gambling is a serious problem among teens. This accessibility also encourages a new breed of gambling addicts for teenagers and college students who can’t access real casinos. Young adults who seek admission to an online gaming site can freely enter, as no one is there to check for proof of age or an ID. This has already created a stir among college campuses who have discovered students using their Internet privileges to gamble and for parents concerned about their young children having instant access to virtual casinos.

Teens who suffer from poor family relationships are most at risk. The accessibility of online casinos, sports betting sites, and online poker make it all too easy for teens to gamble. Unpleasant feelings such as stress, depression, loneliness, fear, and anxiety can trigger compulsive gambling or make it worse. Adults suffer too. After a stressful day at work, after an argument with your spouse or coworker, or to avoid more time spent on your own, an evening at a virtual casino can seem like a fun, exciting way to unwind and socialize. But there are healthier and far less expensive ways to keep unpleasant feelings in check.

What are the signs?

Internet gambling addicts show an increasing need to bet more money more frequently. They tend to minimize their losses and exaggerate their potential winnings. They get caught up in the excitement of the gambling experience and the anonymity and privacy of gambling from one’s own home makes Internet gambling more attractive as they easily hide their gambling habit.

Internet Gambling Addiction Test

Internet Gambling can become a serious problem. In many cases, Internet gambling is worse than traditional gambling. Whether you bet on sports, scratch cards, roulette, poker, or slots,in a casino or online, problem gambling can strain relationships, interfere with work, and lead to financial catastrophe. You may even do things you never thought you would, like stealing money to gamble or pay your debts. You may think you can’t stop but, with the right help, you can overcome a gambling problem or addiction and regain control of your life. The first step is recognizing and acknowledging the problem.

Internet Gambling Addiction Test

Answer “yes” or “no” to the following statements:

Do you need to game with increasing amounts of money in order to achieve the desired excitement?
Are you preoccupied with gambling (thinking about the next bet, anticipating your next online session)?
Have you lied to friends and family members to conceal extent of your online gambling?
Do you feel restless or irritable when attempting to cut down or stop online gambling?
Have you made repeated unsuccessful efforts to control, cut back, or stop online gambling?
Do you use gambling as a way of escaping from problems or relieve feelings of helplessness, guilt, anxiety, or depression?
Have you jeopardized or lost a significant relationship, job, or educational or career opportunity because of online gambling?
Have you committed illegal acts such as forgery, fraud, theft, or embezzlement to finance online activities?

If you answered “yes” to any of the above questions, you may be a compulsive online gambler. These are signs that you have lost control, lied, or possibly stole money just to support your trading behavior.

Compulsive Internet Gambling

Gambling addiction, also known as compulsive gambling, is a type of impulse controlled disorder. Compulsive gamblers can’t control the impulse to gamble, even when they know their gambling is hurting themselves or their loved ones. Gambling is all they can think about and all they want to do, no matter the consequences. Compulsive gamblers keep gambling whether they’re up or down, broke or flush, happy or depressed. Even when they know the odds are against them, even when they can’t afford to lose, people with a gambling addiction can’t “stay off the bet.”

Counseling and Help

Every gambler is unique and so needs a recovery program tailored specifically to him or her. What works for one gambler won’t necessarily work for another. The biggest step in treatment is realizing you have a problem with gambling. It takes tremendous strength and courage to own up to this, especially if you have lost a lot of money and strained or broken relationships along the way. Don’t despair, and don’t try to go it alone. Many others have been in your shoes and have been able to break the habit.

How can someone get help?

The first step is to determine if there is a problem. One of our counselors which is trained in identification and treatment of Internet addiction can effectively perform an assessment to determine what level of care is most appropriate. For a free confidential assessment, you can get in touch with us via our contact page. An assessment can be completed in 24 to 48 hours depending on our counselors availability. Once this is done, we will discuss together about your particular situation and will look into further steps and solutions.

Internet Gambling

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