Gambling Risks

By Author: Yuette Saulpaugh
Total Articles: 14
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Gambling addiction is one of the most rapidly growing afflictions in Britain today. For many years alcohol and drug addiction have been the major (some would argue only) recognised addictions, but now increasing resources are being put into helping people fight gambling addiction.

Accordingly, a charity in the south-west recently opened the first ever residential gambling addiction centre, it has, perhaps unsurprisingly, been full since the moment it opened.

So what has led to this growth in gambling addiction? Many experts are suggesting that the internet has been the major factor. Largely because the UK has never had a casino or gambling culture, the internet has enabled people to access opportunities for gambling on an unprecedented scale.

And they have, in ever growing quantities. Online bingo has been a phenomenal success in recent years, and for a period was the fastest growing industry in the UK. The online casino industry has also grown astonishingly and has promoted the growth of poker as it has developed.

The next generation of online gaming is also on the way and based on money changing ...
... hands. New companies are looking to offer new and ever bigger tournaments and allow individuals to put money on the outcome of their gaming. Although this is mostly based on skill, rather than luck, games, there is still an element of gambling involved.

Of course, it should be pointed out that it is unfair to lay the blame at the feet of the online casino companies, or the bingo websites. Many of the best and most reputable websites carry warnings about the risks and dangers of gambling and include links to gambling awareness and support groups.

Further, many websites have measures in place to try and stop people suffering enormous losses, yet it is difficult to stop people from adding money to their account and continuing to gamble. One of the major problems is that all the money involved with gaming websites is electronic and people can make themselves think they''re not spending real money.

Perhaps the biggest problem is that online gaming doesn''t feel like gambling, primarily for the reason above but also because you''re not immersed in it as you are when you go to a casino, you don''t hear people winning and see them losing, it''s all in the peace and quiet of your own home. Online casinos are massively successful because they''re a great form of entertainment, but it''s important to always bear in mind that you can lose money. Yuette Saulpaugh has been writing about the gaming and gambling industry for over a decade. He recommends the award winning 32Red online casino.