Online Gambling is the practice of placing bets on various events using a computer and a network. It is a popular form of recreation and a source of income for many people, but it can also lead to addiction. The accessibility and convenience of Online Gambling means that more people have access to the activity than if they had to travel to a casino to play. This increases the potential for addiction and can be especially dangerous for young people.

In addition, the convenience of online gambling can also make it more difficult to control the amount of time and money you are spending on it. It is not uncommon for people to spend more than they intended to and to have a hard time stopping. This can lead to financial stress, family and relationship problems, debt, depression, anxiety and even suicide. A recent study in the journal, Frontiers in Psychology, found that people with certain personality traits are more likely to develop an addiction to online gambling.

Research shows that the easy availability of gambling products (especially EGMs) contribute to increased uptake and harms. This is partly due to the advertising and sponsorship of gambling products by sports leagues, colocation with social media, and aggressive promotion in general. Additionally, the design of gambling products can be misleading in terms of their effects on health, and existing counter-messaging is often ineffective at preventing harm, relying instead on so-called “dark nudges.” To reduce the risk of harm, interventions including universal pre-commitment to limit time and money spent on gambling and self-exclusion from gambling providers are needed.