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Reception: 11/20/2024 - Acceptance: 11/21/2024

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Suggested reference: Gujer, D. (2024). The Psychological Impact of Online Gambling: Balancing Entertainment and Addiction Prevention. Lecturas: Educación Física y Deportes, 29(318), 254-259. https://www.efdeportes.com/efdeportes/index.php/EFDeportes/article/view/8011

 

Abstract

    Online gambling has become a global phenomenon, offering accessibility like never before and attracting millions of players. However, the transformative growth has also sparked concerns about its effect and impact on mental health. Alongside the strains on mental health, a significant challenge in this area is its addictive potential. Today, many individuals have become addicted to online gambling and find it difficult to quit. This article explores the psychological impact of online gambling, highlighting the need for a more balanced approach to gambling activities. The paper sheds light on the appeal of online gambling in today’s society, the brain-changing effect it has on people's psyche, the need to see gambling as a serious addiction, and key measures for addiction prevention and support.

    Keywords: Online gambling. Addiction. Prevention.

 

Resumen

    Los juegos de azar en línea se han convertido en un fenómeno global que ofrece una accesibilidad como nunca antes y atrae a millones de jugadores. Sin embargo, este crecimiento transformador también ha suscitado inquietudes sobre su efecto e impacto en la salud mental. Junto con las tensiones sobre la salud mental, un desafío importante en esta área es su potencial adictivo. Hoy en día, muchas personas se han vuelto adictas a los juegos de azar en línea y les resulta difícil dejarlos. Este artículo explora el impacto psicológico de los juegos de azar en línea, destacando la necesidad de un enfoque más equilibrado de las actividades de juego. El artículo arroja luz sobre el atractivo de los juegos de azar en línea en la sociedad actual, el efecto que tiene sobre el cerebro y la psique de las personas, la necesidad de ver el juego como una adicción grave y las medidas clave para la prevención y el apoyo a las adicciones.

    Palabras clave: Juego de azar en línea. Adicción. Prevención.

 

Resumo

    Os jogos de azar online tornaram-se um fenómeno global, oferecendo acessibilidade como nunca antes e atraindo milhões de jogadores. No entanto, o crescimento transformador também suscitou preocupações sobre o seu efeito e impacto na saúde mental. Juntamente com as tensões sobre a saúde mental, um desafio significativo nesta área é o seu potencial aditivo. Hoje, muitas pessoas tornaram-se viciadas no jogo online e têm dificuldade em desistir. Este artigo explora o impacto psicológico do jogo online, destacando a necessidade de uma abordagem mais equilibrada das atividades de jogo. O documento esclarece o apelo do jogo online na sociedade atual, o efeito de alteração cerebral que tem na psique das pessoas, a necessidade de ver o jogo como um vício grave e medidas fundamentais para a prevenção e apoio ao vício.

    Unitermos: Jogo online. Vício. Prevenção.

 

Lecturas: Educación Física y Deportes, Vol. 29, Núm. 318, Nov. (2024)

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    Over the past few decades, technological advances have revolutionized how we do many things, including gambling. Today, the proliferation of the internet has made online gambling more accessible than ever before. While this increased accessibility is undoubtedly great for flexibility, convenience, and privacy, it has also raised serious concerns about its psychological health impact. There’s a fine line between enjoying gambling as a form of entertainment and a compulsive habit and addiction.

 

    In this article, we will dive into the world of online gambling and its psychological impact, exploring the need for a balance between fun and addiction prevention.

 

Source: Image Generator Microsoft Bing

 

The Appeal of Online Gambling 

 

    Gambling has always been a popular pastime amongst humans, dating as far back as even some of the earliest civilizations. From an avenue to have entertaining fun to an environment for financial possibilities, gambling has a lot to offer any individual. 

 

    The rise of internet gambling has even made gambling more appealing to more and more people today. After all, online gambling offers a wider range of games and sports betting than traditional platforms, alongside 24/7 accessibility from anywhere in the world. The availability of several bonuses and promotions, like welcome bonuses, free spins, loyalty perks, and others, has also made online gambling more appealing as a source of entertainment. You can click here to explore some of the top attractive gambling offers available online today.

 

Gambling's Brain-Changing Effect on the Psyche 

 

    The fact about gambling is that it typically has measurable changes in our brain chemistry. When you manage to win when gambling, the brain releases dopamine, a chemical response known as the "feel good" chemical. This causes an intense feeling of pleasure.

 

    Once you experience this dopamine rush, it’s only natural that you will want to experience it again. However, if someone chases that high and keeps gambling repeatedly, the brain system will build a tolerance for the dopamine released from getting wins.

 

    At this point, winning will no longer bring the rush of good feeling it used to, and an affected individual will start taking bigger risks just to get back that level of excitement. In that situation, what was once just an entertaining pastime has spiraled into an addiction that’s difficult to stop. In fact, problem gamblers would also experience withdrawal symptoms when they try to quit.

 

Gambling Addiction: A Serious Mental Health Disorder 

 

    One of the biggest misconceptions in the society we live in today is the notion that gambling cannot lead to addiction. Many people believe that since it doesn't involve substances like hard drugs and alcohol, you cannot get addicted to gambling. This narrative has made a lot of people underestimate and overlook the psychological impact online gambling can have on mental health, resulting in the rise of addiction in society.

 

    Thankfully, several studies and the World Health Organization (WHO) have disproven this school of thought and concluded that addiction doesn't necessarily have to involve abuse of physical substances. Like other forms of addiction, compulsive gambling can change a person's behavior and brain chemistry, clouding judgment and making it difficult for them to stop.

 

    Gambling gives the same level of excitement, pleasure, joy, and temporary escape that substance abuse does through dopamine rushes. On top of that, the negative consequences of gambling addiction are also potentially life-altering, capable of leaving individuals in financial ruin, relationship problems, legal troubles, etc. Hence, it's become important that we take the issue of problem gambling seriously.

 

Responsible Gambling Measures for Balance between Entertainment and Addiction Prevention 

 

    Due to the potential dangers of uncontrolled gambling, stakeholders in the gambling industry have become serious about addiction prevention. They are working towards reducing the negative impact of gambling and addiction cases through responsible gambling initiatives.

 

    A major aspect of responsible gambling lies in education and awareness. It's vital to raise awareness about the risks of online gambling and the benefits of practicing responsible gambling. Such educational campaigns can also help teach people about the signs of addiction and the need to seek help early.

 

Responsible Gambling Tools 

 

    Online gambling sites today play a major role in promoting responsible gambling. One of the ways they do this is by providing relevant tools that can help players maintain control over their gambling activities and prevent it from becoming addictive. Some of these tools include:

• Deposit limits.

• Session/time limits.

• Time-outs.

• Reality checks.

• Self-exclusion.

Seeking Support 

 

    To avoid serious financial, emotional, and social consequences, it is vital for gamblers to seek help immediately after they start to notice signs of addiction. Today, there are many resources available online and offline to provide support for individuals who are struggling with gambling addiction problems. 

 

    Some notable forums and organizations include:

• Gamblers Anonymous.

• BeGambleAware.

• GamCare.

• National Council on Problem Gambling, etc.

Conclusion 

 

    There’s no denying that online gambling can be a great source of entertainment for many people. However, it comes with the risk of negative psychological impacts and the development of addiction. And with the continued advances of technology that make online gambling more accessible than ever, the more rampant the issue of gambling addiction will become.

 

    As a result, it’s become vital to make sure that the fun and excitement of online gambling do not come at the cost of our mental health and well-being. By raising awareness about problem gambling, promoting responsible gaming, and providing necessary support for affected individuals, we can strike a necessary balance between entertainment and addiction prevention.

 

References 

 

Ghelfi, M., Scattola, P., Giudici, G., & Velasco, V. (2024). Online gambling: A systematic review of risk and protective factors in the adult population. Journal of gambling studies, 40(2), 673-699. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10899-023-10258-3

 

Russell, AM, Browne, M., Hing, N., Rockloff, M., Newall, P., Dowling, NA, Merkouris, S., King, DL, Stevens, M., Salonen, AH, Breen, H., Greer, N., Thorne, AH, Visintin, T., Rawat, V. & Woo, L. (2023). Electronic gaming machine accessibility and gambling problems: A natural policy experiment. Journal of behavioral addictions, 12(3), 721-732. https://doi.org/10.1556/2006.2023.00044

Lecturas: Educación Física y Deportes, Vol. 29, Núm. 318, Nov. (2024)