In this day and age, bettors can enjoy placing wagers from home using their mobile device or computer without the need of visiting a physical casino. Unlike a decade or two ago, gaining access to slot machines, table and card games and even lotto is easier than ever before. Better yet, you can also enjoy the authentic Macau experience online on platforms like https://vulkanvegas.com/en/category/live-casino, without leaving the comfort of your home!
However, as exciting as things have become for gamblers all over thanks to online casinos, the issue of ludomania still looms. As online gaming took off in the early 2000s, there were lots of questions about whether bringing things online did more harm than good. Today, we take a look at why online gaming poses a higher risk for ludomania, compared to land-based counterparts. But first things, first, in case you were wondering, let’s start by defining ludomania.
What is Ludomania?
Ludomania, also referred to as problem gambling, is the need to continually bet regardless of the detrimental aftermaths or an urge to stop. Time and again, ludomania is defined by whether the damage is experienced by the bettor or others, instead of the bettor’s conduct. Serious problem gambling may perhaps be diagnosed as clinical pathological betting if the bettor satisfies particular criteria.
Pathological betting is a well-known condition that affects family and social interactions. The disorder is categorized as an impulse control ailment. The victims exhibit numerous similarities to those who are addicted to drug-related substances of abuse. Moreover, pathological betting is exemplified in particular by the fact that gamblers subordinate their entire life to betting. Social relationships end up being affection, monetary problems are always on the rise, and the game persists. Time and gain the whole roller-coaster of events could lead to depression and resignation. For such circumstances, there’s always a high risk of suicide.
Research has also proven that betting in online casinos makes you far more susceptible to addiction compared to land-based casinos. And why is that? Here are a few reasons why:
- Accessibility of Online Casinos
For lovers of gambling games, playing via the internet was a long-awaited advancement because it meant that they no longer had to plan for trips and travel for hours just to quench the thirst of gaming. Now that online casino games are available 24 hours a day 7 days a week, not even a member of the family is usually aware when a gambler starts getting addicted.
Although online betting is still not a boom in certain countries, the danger is still severe because betting addiction can develop very quickly online. The same is not the case for land-based casinos where addiction to the machines develops gradually due to social control. Back to online gaming, players could end up playing round the clock, putting their winnings back in. Having the ability to place a bet on the next goalscorer, the quickest of the following round or something same to that at sports events is an exclusive attraction, and likewise imminently dangerous.
- Curiosity of the Latest Fad
Another reason why online betting is so dangerous than offline casinos is that it’s aimed at young adults. This is the social group that is most likely to become addicted to gambling. The youth will try out everything. Most of them also have no experience on how to cope with the betting stress and problems. Then again, the younger people are always willing to accept any offers they feel can help them in the short term.
- Over-advertising of Bonuses and Promotions
In terms of offers, online casinos are undoubtedly the most dangerous. Online casino sites always offer lucrative bonuses and promotions that can lure you into signing up with them. The case is different for the lottery where the risk of addiction is quite low since gamblers have to wait for quite long to get their winnings. On the other hand, lotteries could also be an introduction to betting addiction, especially among young people.
- Demo Modes
Another common trick utilized by online casinos sites is to offer the free demo mode version of their games. Sure enough, their goal here is to introduce the new players to online betting. Also, to make them feel at ease to making real money bets after having some success with the free-to-play mode. But how do online casino sites ensure the new gamblers are prosperous? It’s simple. The odds are raised to favour the player when he is betting using free credits. This will make the player incorrectly assume that the success he had in the demo mode will be the same when using real money. The minute real money is involved, the odds will change in favour of the online casino.
