Adults enjoy gambling, whether it’s buying lottery tickets, betting on sporting events, or playing casino games. Unsurprisingly, online gambling has grown in popularity. Statistics reveal around 10 million people invest in some type of online gambling method- as a result, it is the fastest and most popular online category. Fun fact: Global online gambling is worth $30 billion in the present!
Youth:
Teenagers and young adults are frequent visitors to togel online sites. According to the Annenberg Public Policy Centre, which has been tracking young people’s usage of gambling sites for over ten years, a whopping 20% of college students play online poker at least once a month. Legalized gambling is not only socially acceptable, but it is also widely marketed and extremely visible in today’s culture. Casinos spend a lot of money on advertising on TV, radio, the internet, and billboards. On cable and broadband networks, poker tournaments with expert commentary, unusual filming angles, and million-dollar jackpots have become “hot ticket” reality TV. Given the popularity, visibility, and glitter that gambling provides, it’s no surprise that many teenagers are attracted to the instant pleasure, thrill, and hope that comes with quick money.
The three most common motivations given by teenagers for gambling are
(a) the thrill of it,
(b) enjoyment, and
(c) the desire to win money.
Gambling might appeal at a time when the youth are struggling and searching for their identity because of its thrill value and capacity to quickly increase their self-image. However, when losses inevitably accumulate and cause a drop in self-esteem, financial concern, and depression, this can drastically change. To pay off debts, they may begin stealing or selling goods, or they may continue to gamble in the hopes of winning large.
Here are some warning signs, that one must look out for-
- Have you borrowed money to gamble?
- Do you find yourself lying to your friends and family about gambling?
- Has anyone expressed concern about your gambling?
- Is gambling the most exciting thing in your life?
If you experience any of the above-mentioned activities- it is time that you seek help. Recovery from online gambling addictions is particularly difficult because relapse is merely one click away in a time of weakness.
Given the ease of access and appeal of online (and real-world) gambling to teenagers and college students, adolescents (especially males) and parents must understand and discuss the risks to minors associated with this. If you think the problems you’re having need more attention, call your primary care physician or look up more information online.