Online gamling has many benefits over traditional gambling. For one, it’s much easier and less expensive to play from the comfort of your home. In addition to gambling, you can enjoy other types of gambling on the same website, such as betting on sports games. Furthermore, online gambling offers the flexibility to access games anytime, anywhere, from any device. You can play slots right from your phone, and bet on your favorite sports team.
Identifying at-risk Internet gamblers
Identifying at-risk Internet gambler populations is not a new problem. In a recent study, researchers identified the characteristics of a subgroup of gamblers who were at increased risk of gambling-related problems. The subgroup consisted of 3% of all registered gamblers. This subgroup provides a starting point for understanding the broader risk groups and creating interventions. Below are some methods of identifying at-risk Internet gambler populations.
An k-means cluster analysis of Internet gambling data identified four distinct clusters based on z-scores for various variables. These four clusters were distinguished according to their frequency of gambling, their level of psychological distress, their use of illicit drugs and their attitude toward gambling. In cluster 1, the proportion of problem gamblers was highest among men, and wagering intensity and size tended to increase over time.
Creating a responsible gambling environment
In addition to providing safe gambling environments, operators must adhere to a series of standards. Online gambling operators should establish a dedicated webpage outlining responsible gambling practices and include the ‘Gamble Responsibly’ message. These resources must be linked from the home page and all pages of the online gaming site. Moreover, operators must provide accurate information about the odds and winning rates of their products in a manner that is easy to understand for the clientele. Lastly, operators should have a procedure for self-exclusion.
While the educational animation is effective, the pop-up reminders may be preferred due to their low time commitment. However, repeated exposure to the pop-up messages can make them desensitized by gamblers. In addition, they may cause players to become frustrated and lose control of their gambling. This may not be an ideal scenario for responsible gambling. Therefore, more research is needed. The goal is to reduce the disturbance of recreational gamblers as much as possible.
