Factors that Influence
Internet Gambling Addiction

Warning Signs

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The Internet has begun to strongly impact the way we do things—shop, research, communicate—as many people access the Internet on a daily basis.  With forms of Internet gambling becoming more popular, a non-gambling environment is created as people can gamble within their own homes instead of in gambling establishments like casinos (Griffiths, 2003).  Since gambling on the Internet started in 1995, the industry has grown from only several websites to over 2,000 websites.  It is estimated that the Internet gambling industry made more than $6 billion in 2003 (Tresniowski et. al, 2003).  Two years later, the European Bank report on gambling showed the industry has grown to $9.2 billion since 1995 and expected a 22% yearly growth rate through 2008 (Anthony, 2005).  Of those who reported gambling online via a University of Connecticut study in 2002, 74% have shown indications of having a serious problem.  A major concern of online gambling is its lack of regulation: gambling outside of certain establishments is illegal in the United States, but gambling websites are run outside of the country, therefore bypassing the laws (Tresniowski et. al, 2003). 

To better understand the lure of gambling, one can look at the marketing strategies used by the gambling industry—situational and structural characteristics.  Situational characteristics are features that cause people to start gambling (such as location, number of outlets in the area, and advertising).  Structural characteristics are features that cause reinforcement to gamble by satisfying the gamblers’ needs (such as event frequency, payout interval, and light, color, or sound effects).  These characteristics may cause excessive gambling which can lead to a gambling addiction.  Internet gambling changes these characteristics, especially the situational elements, and creates an impact on the uptake of gambling services (Griffiths, 2003).

The addiction of Internet gambling, as with other addicting activities, results from several factors: a person’s biological or genetic predisposition, psychological disposition, social environment, and/or the nature of the activity itself.  There are other factors, however, about Internet gambling that can make it addictive.  The virtual environment of the Internet itself can give short-term excitement, comfort, and distraction to those using it (Griffiths, 2003).

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Warning Signs of Internet Gambling Addiction
(Tresniowski et. al, 2003)

A person may:

• spend more time online than usual

• be secretive about their online activities

• have sudden financial problems

• show a decline in work performance

• have a more intense interest in sports (may show anger when disrupted)

 Factors that Influence Internet Gambling Addiction:

Below are factors that impact and can influence the addiction of Internet gambling.  They can cause gamblers who use the Internet to gamble more excessively than they would have had they been gambling offline.

• Accessibility:  The Internet is now commonly available in the home and the workplace, making it easier to partake in gambling.  With an increase in access to an activity there is an increase in that behavior.  Thus, with more gambling opportunities online comes an increase in gamblers as well as an increase in problem gamblers. 

• Affordability:  As the Internet is more accessible, it is becoming cheaper for people to obtain Internet services. 

• Anonymity:  The Internet creates a feeling of anonymity in its users, allowing them to engage in gambling privately.  It becomes more comfortable for one to gamble as no one can see them.

• Convenience:  Online behaviors typically occur in a familiar environment, like the home.  This reduces feelings of risk and can cause one to partake in more adventurous behaviors.

• Escape:  Any online behavior can provide an escape for the individual partaking in it.  For Internet gambling, one can feel a sense of gratification.  This mood-modifying experience provides emotional and/or mental escape, causing a desire to continue the behavior.

• Immersion/Dissociation:  One may gamble online more than intended due to the Internet’s distraction from the “real world.”  This is similar to the concept that “time flies when you’re having fun,” and one may enjoy being in this state over the Internet.

• Disinhibition: The Internet typically makes people less inhibited, causing more money to be gambled.

• Event Frequency:  Gambling activities that result in more outcomes (like slot machines instead of weekly lotteries) can cause more problems.  Rapid event frequency leads to a weakened effect if one loses as little time is given to consider the financial loss.  When gambling online, event frequencies are very quick as one can access many different gambling sites at once.

• Interactivity:  An increased personal involvement in gambling increases a false feeling of control.  This can lead to even more gambling.  The Internet conveniently offers a feeling of personal involvement.

• Asociability:  Gambling on the Internet is mostly a non-social event as a person is gambling alone.  People who experience gambling problems mostly play alone.  A main feature of the Internet is that one can participate in one-player activities.  Technology is creating a shift from social gamble to asocial gambling, which could increase the number of problem gamblers (Griffiths, 2003).

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