Many casino experts have highlighted that the high popularity of online gambling due to COVID-19 could result in higher gambling addiction among people. Along with asserting this statement, they have also shared important factors that are expected to contribute to an increase in gambling addiction among people.
Currently, land-based casinos are not executing their operations as the entire world is under the complete lockdown. Only the operations of essential services are permitted across the world. Due to this, people have been shifting to online gambling during coronavirus lockdown to entertain themselves. Although it is a good source of entertainment for most people, it may result in an increase in gambling addiction. Following are the reasons that are expected to contribute to increasing the gambling addiction among people:
Less Control in Online Gambling
In the case of land-based gambling, it is possible for everyone to keep a track of his family member whether he is involved in gambling or not. But in the case of online gambling, one can play casino games without letting others know about it.
During the coronavirus pandemic, the idle gamblers are taking part in online gambling operations on a large scale. According to experts, online gambling operations will become a common thing after the coronavirus pandemic and it may lead to high gambling addiction among people.
High Desire to Spend Money Online
When a person takes part in online gambling, it becomes difficult for him to avoid investing money repeatedly. It is because one can easily make payments online with a click of a few buttons. But it is not the case with the offline casinos as one needs to make use of the ATM machine and it gives him a lot of time to think about playing again after a big loss.
As everyone is playing online casino games during the coronavirus period, it has made people habitual of investing their time in playing online casinos. After the global pandemic is over, it is highly likely to make people fall for online gambling to enjoy free time on a daily basis. This may lead to an increase in the desire to spend more money while playing online casino games.
Increasing Risk Factors
Due to the lockdown period, people are facing isolation, depression, anxiety, and other disorders at their home. The news of deaths and infections due to COVID-19 is making them find a way to divert their attention. It is found that a lot of people are taking part in gambling operations and it has increased gambling addiction across the world.
And in those states, where online gambling is not legalized then there are higher chances that people will land at illegal casino websites after COVID-19 pandemic to play casino games. It may result in an increase in the online frauds as it is difficult for different governments to keep a track of the activities of such online casino operators.
Greed for Free Games
Online gambling operators make use of lucrative offers, bonuses, and free games to people. Even if a person loses all his money, he can take part in online gambling operations through free games made available by online casinos. Hence, it becomes difficult for a person to prevent himself from falling a victim to online gambling addiction. In the case of offline gambling operations, it is not really the case as one has to leave the casino if he doesn’t have money in his pocket to make further investment.
Other Worse Consequences
According to experts, gambling addiction due to online casinos will bring other mental disorders and personal conflicts into the picture. And they have hinted at taking necessary measures to put a check on excessive online gambling activities on any online platform.
