Has online gambling become a public health issue? More than just entertainment, these games seem to have unexpected global repercussions.
Online gambling addiction is a growing concern. A report by The Lancet reveals that the phenomenon affects 450 million people worldwide. Adolescents and young adults are particularly vulnerable. Yet, the market is booming. In Australia, gambling losses have reached record levels, with AUD 1,555 per adult each year (about USD 1,000). This increase is driven by easier access and targeted marketing.
With technology, gambling is now just a click away. According to Professor Heather Wardle, every phone becomes a gaming platform, exposing users to risks 24/7.
These games have diverse consequences. Financial losses are obvious, but the effects go further, impacting mental health, relationships, and economic stability. A danger that seems largely ignored. Children are also affected. Exposed to ads for these games, they develop a quick attachment. Before the digital age, such marketing was out of their reach.
Governments are being called to act. According to the public health commission, strict regulations are essential to counter the destructive effects of these games. In Europe, some countries are taking steps. Belgium and Spain, for example, are limiting gambling advertising, hoping to reduce its impact on younger audiences.
The commission is calling for global awareness. Without intervention, these games will continue to expand, and their harmful effects will grow, posing a major public health issue.
What is gambling addiction?
Gambling addiction is defined as a behavioral disorder where a person is unable to stop betting, even when aware of the negative impacts on their life. This type of dependence is marked by repetitive and compulsive gambling behaviors that often lead to significant financial losses, relationship problems, and mental health issues.
Gambling addiction is not just a habit but a recognized mental disorder. It shares similarities with other dependencies such as alcoholism, as it affects brain circuits that promote impulsive behavior and the search for thrills. People suffering from it continue to bet, hoping to recover their losses or to achieve an “ultimate win,” which reinforces the vicious cycle of addiction.
Online gambling amplifies this phenomenon by offering instant and constant access, often from a simple smartphone. Targeted marketing techniques and game mechanisms designed to push users to bet repeatedly increase the mental health risks, making this addiction a genuine public health issue.
How does online gambling create an addiction?
Online gambling is designed to encourage addictive behavior. Indeed, platforms exploit elements such as instant gratification, random rewards, and appealing sound and visual effects. These techniques stimulate the brain’s reward system, creating a sense of pleasure with every win, no matter how small.
Constant access provided by smartphones reinforces this addiction. Users can gamble 24/7, increasing the chances to bet and immerse themselves in the game, with no geographical or time barriers. Online gambling is thus harder to quit than traditional gambling, fostering dependency.
Advertising also plays a major role. Targeted campaigns, especially toward young people, are omnipresent on social media and video games. They normalize gambling and make it enticing, encouraging a broader and younger audience to engage in risky practices.