The COVID-19 pandemic has increased the number of people who gamble online. In fact, these online gamblers are younger than those who gamble in land-based casinos. They spend more money than their land-based counterparts and have more problems. Luckily, there are a number of ways to stop gambling and reduce your risk. Read on to learn about ways to stop online gambling today. Let us take a look at some of the warning signs of gambling addiction.
Problem gamblers are younger
The number of young problem gamblers has been increasing over the years, according to research. Before the advent of the internet, the average age of a problem gambler was a middle-aged male with a full-time job and a college education. Today, however, problem gamblers are younger, ranging from 18 to 35 years old. Researchers at the University of Lethbridge examined the average demographics of problem gamblers to find out what their ages were. In the study, they found that problem gamblers were more likely to be younger, with the average age of 51.
Gambling is a widespread problem. Advertising and marketing campaigns promoting gambling often portray it as a fun way to earn money. While many problem gamblers begin their gambling activities in childhood, the internet encourages social interaction and encourages winning streaks in the practice mode. Young problem gamblers often had large ‘wins’ in their early years, resulting in a history of compulsive behavior and gambling addiction.
They bet on sports
A recent CivicScience survey found that half of Americans ages 21 and up bet on sports online. While the average bet is modest, the number of states where online betting is legal has increased. In August, fourteen states were full legal, while 19 have passed laws that will make sports betting easier. According to USBets, the number of adult U.S. citizens who bet online is growing. In the same survey, 126 young adults revealed that they bet on sports online.
They have more problems than land-based gamblers
Problem gambling rates were higher for online and land-based gamblers. The number of problem gamblers varied by level of education, with fewer blacks and Hispanics engaging in high-risk gambling than whites. Men were more likely than women to engage in sports betting, live poker, and casino table games. In contrast, younger men were more likely than older women to engage in gambling. In general, problem gamblers reported more problems and more financial issues than did their land-based counterparts.
Problem gambling among online gamblers may not be as prevalent as those that occur offline. Problem gamblers often also engage in land-based gambling activities, so it’s important to distinguish these two types of gambling to prevent further harm. In fact, it’s important to note that most online gamblers also engage in land-based gambling, which may be the source of many of the problems associated with online gambling. Therefore, studies that focus on these types of gambling should include both land-based and online forms.
