Online Gambling is a multi-billion dollar industry, with players accessing games and betting options from their homes or on the go. While many people can play Online Gambling without harm, some find that it becomes a problem that jeopardizes their lives and finances. Often, the issue is a combination of factors including the person’s environment and family/peers. The underlying cause is generally a mental health disorder.

Like any other addiction, gambling disorder is a real, serious condition with lasting consequences. It can affect a person’s physical and emotional well-being. It can disrupt relationships with family and friends, lead to financial problems, and even impact their work or school performance. In addition, it is often accompanied by feelings of withdrawal when trying to cut back on gaming activities.

People with gambling disorders have a greater risk of having other mental illnesses, such as anxiety and depression. Studies have shown that people with a history of depression, bipolar or schizoaffective disorder are more likely to develop a gambling addiction.

It is important to recognize and respond to early indicators of a gambling problem, in order to reduce the impact of problem gambling. Online casinos and other online gaming platforms can offer a variety of tools and resources to help players moderate their gaming behaviours, including spending tracking, self-set spend limits and time outs. It is also possible to use player profiling to send customised messages to players who appear to be at risk of a gambling problem, including links to support services.