Online Gambling is a form of gambling in which participants use a computer to place wagers on games of chance. It is illegal in some countries, but is popular in many others and is subject to extensive regulation. This type of gambling is a multi-billion industry, and there are many ways to get involved. The most common ways to gamble include sports betting, horse racing, and video games. Other ways to gamble online include lottery and casino games. These activities are often addictive and can cause serious consequences for the gambler, family, and friends. Some ways to help prevent problem gambling include seeking professional treatment, identifying triggers, setting boundaries, and using content blockers.
The online gaming industry is highly regulated, and its profits are based on the volume of money that is exchanged. This industry is very competitive, and brand new companies often have to reduce their profit margins in order to attract customers. Those who are able to generate higher-than-average profits are able to stay in business.
The purpose of this review is to investigate current knowledge about the risk and protective factors of online gambling among adults. The literature search was limited to peer-reviewed studies published between 2010 and 2020. Search syntax was as follows: (ab(online) or ab(internet) OR (ab(gamble*) OR ab(risk factor*) OR ab(protective factor*) OR ab(predictor*)). Six studies reported data on sex based differences in prevalence; all of them found that boys have more problems with gambling than girls do.