Online Gambling refers to the use of telecommunication networks for placing bets or wagers. This includes a wide range of games of chance such as online casino, bingo, poker, and sports betting, as well as Video Lottery Terminals (VLT).
The rapid rise of online gambling has prompted concerns about its social and health impacts, with research suggesting that people who gamble at harmful levels experience a variety of harms. These include relationship breakdown, family violence, financial distress, increased risk of crime such as fraud and theft, mental illness and suicide, and loss of employment and educational opportunities.
Gambling addiction also leads to poor health, with deteriorating sleep, unhealthy diet and sedentary lifestyle contributing to chronic diseases such as heart disease and high blood pressure. Furthermore, the high levels of emotion generated by gambling can lead to a rollercoaster of moods that affect an individual’s quality of life and may even trigger suicidal thoughts.
Another concern is the growing incidence of fraud and money laundering related to online gambling, with criminals using a variety of methods to target vulnerable players. This is often achieved by abusing phone top-up payment systems to gain access to players’ funds. Fraudulent activity also puts a strain on gaming operators, with high chargeback rates reducing revenues and putting them at risk of losing their processing relationships.
In order to minimise these risks, governments have enacted a number of laws to regulate and control the activities of online casinos and gambling websites. These laws cover a wide range of areas, including licensing requirements, the provision of responsible gambling tools, and restrictions on advertising. Some countries have opted for a total ban on online gambling, while others have restricted it to particular categories of players or limiting the number of hours they can play.
