For decades, the World Health Organization (WHO) reports there has been huge growth in commercial gambling, in part due to the emergence of online gambling.

Unfortunately, what can be a fun pastime for some can for others become an addictive habit that can have serious financial costs and affect health, relationships, and other facets of daily life.

Gambling disorder, also known as gambling addiction, is a behavioral addiction that affects anywhere from 0.1percent to 6 percent of the adult population.

This disorder frequently co-occurs with other types of addictions, including alcohol addiction and drug addiction.

What Is An Online Gambling Addiction?

In 2013, the American Psychiatric Association officially recognized gambling addiction as a mental health disorder—now formally known as gambling disorder.

How people can gamble:

mobile gambling
online gambling and betting
gambling in casinos
sports betting

Gambling disorder, which includes an addiction to online gambling, refers to a pattern of compulsive gambling.

People with this disorder may feel unable to stop or control their gambling, despite negative consequences to finances, relationships, or way of life.

When Does Gambling Become An Addiction?

One of the hallmark signs of addiction is continuing to do something—whether it’s drinking, using drugs, or gambling—despite its negative effects on one’s life.

This is a sign of compulsive gambling. People who compulsively gamble may be aware of the negative impact of their gambling, yet will feel unable to control it.

Gambling activity, like drugs and alcohol, is believed to affect the brain in certain ways that can reinforce continued gambling—which can lead to a sort of psychological addiction.

Specific Risks Of Online Gambling Addiction

With the rise of mobile technologies, online gambling has become a bigger concern, not only due to the global financial losses of online gambling but also due to the risk of addiction.

Compared to land-based gambling, online gambling:

is more easily accessible
is generally anonymous
doesn’t always require spending money upfront
can allow for false birth dates entered by youth
surpasses travel and mobility restrictions
allows for 24-hour access to gambling
enables the rapid placement of bets

Research on internet gambling shows that some people find it more addictive and find it easier to spend more money online compared to gambling in person.

Being able to gamble from the comfort of one’s own home also makes it more difficult to escape from it, because the pull of it is always there—just a click away.

Signs Of An Online Gambling Addiction

Millions of people in the United States gamble, including teens and young adults. Not all gambling activity necessarily leads to addiction.

Signs of an online gambling addiction might include:

constant preoccupation with gambling or finding money to gamble
hiding or lying about one’s gambling activity
increasing how much you gamble over time
getting a ‘buzz’ or ‘high’ from gambling online
gambling in order to manage stress, nerves, or loneliness
continuing to gamble despite suffering financial losses (i.e. ‘chasing’ one’s losses)
trying to cut down on how much you gamble, or stop gambling, without success
feeling very irritable or restless if you try to reduce your gambling
losing a job, educational opportunity, or significant relationship as a result of your gambling

An online gambling addiction can cause radical changes in mood and behavior. People who develop a gambling disorder may lie, steal, or even commit fraud—all in order to maintain their gambling habits.

Loved ones of those with an online gambling addiction may feel distraught, angry, and helpless. This is normal. It’s also normal for individuals addicted to gambling to feel this way.

Like with drugs or alcohol, gambling can become a sort of coping mechanism, to deal with stress, loneliness, or to fill an empty space left by an ended relationship, job, or activity.

Who’s At Risk?

No one is immune from developing an addiction, be it to drugs, alcohol, or online gambling. Even so, there are several factors that can put a person at an increased risk.

Risk factors for developing an online gambling addiction include:

being male
loneliness
history of substance abuse
having a mental health disorder
lack of social support
having friends or family who gamble
having a highly competitive personality
family history of addiction

Young adults, such as college students, and people who are middle-aged are also considered at higher risk for gambling addiction, according to some research.

What Are The Dangers Of An Online Gambling Addiction?

Compulsive gambling isn’t harmless. It can have real financial costs, as well as lead to legal problems, social problems, and potentially lead people to neglect their own health.

According to the American Psychiatric Association (APA), people with gambling disorder are at an increased risk for suicide.

Addiction can also affect a person’s ability to work, go to school, and maintain healthy relationships.

This may lead to job loss, troubles at work, poor academic performance, and increased isolation—all of which can contribute to issues such as depression and anxiety.

Is Online Gambling Illegal?

On a federal level, online gambling is not illegal in the United States. However, laws on gambling do vary by state.

Online gambling was effectively decriminalized in 2011 through a decision made by the U.S. Department of Justice, allowing each state to determine their own laws for regulation.

Utah and Hawaii are the only two states in the U.S. where all forms of online gambling are illegal, although the enforcement of these bans is not always very strong or easy.

Online Gambling Addiction And Substance Abuse

Drug and alcohol abuse is common among people with gambling disorders. Both substance use disorders and gambling disorder share common risk factors.

For instance, they both often run in families. In addition, it’s common for people with one or both disorders to also have a mental health or personality disorder.

Common co-occurring disorders include:

Gambling addiction is believed to resemble drug and alcohol addiction the most of any other type of behavioral addiction.

Like substances, people often report craving their gambling activities and even experiencing symptoms of withdrawal, such as agitation and high anxiety, should they try to stop.

Online Gambling Addiction Rates And Information

Online gambling addiction is a relatively new and ongoing area of research, but there is some information we do know about it.

Statistics and information about online gambling addiction:

Teenagers and young adults have higher rates of gambling problems compared to other adult age groups.
Of people in the United States with a gambling disorder, up to 73 percent of a large sample of adults reported having an alcohol use disorder at some point in their lifetime.
Up to 96 percent of people with compulsive gambling issues meet the criteria for another psychiatric condition, such as a mental health or substance use disorder.
An estimated three to 14 percent of college students who gamble are estimated to develop a serious problem.
An estimated 56,000 active duty military members are believed to have a gambling problem.
Veterans with a gambling problem are at high risk for attempting suicide, and often have a history of physical trauma, sexual trauma, or emotional trauma.
About two-thirds of people who gamble on the internet regularly do so pathologically—that is, demonstrate signs of a gambling disorder.

Treatment For Online Gambling Addiction

Overcoming an addiction to online gambling is possible. Although some people can overcome a gambling addiction without help, this isn’t true for everyone.

Most people who develop addictions need professional help to conquer an addiction for good. This is especially true for people who have co-occurring substance use or mental health disorders.

Treatment for online gambling addiction may involve:

cognitive behavioral therapy
motivational interviewing
group therapy
family or couples counseling
self-help groups
medication

For co-occurring gambling disorder and substance abuse, a higher level of care—such as an inpatient rehab or detox program—may also be recommended.

Resources For Overcoming An Online Gambling Addiction

If you or a loved one is struggling with an online gambling problem, here is a list of resources for recovery support and treatment.

Association of Professionals Treating Problem Gambling (APTPG)

This is an organization that offers a range of informational resources on various gambling-related topics, and hosts workshops for treatment professionals who treat compulsive gambling.

Their informational resources may help loved ones and individuals affected by problem gambling better understand the issue and its impact in certain populations.