English...... due thursday.... No late work..... READ FIRST

Online gambling

How is online gambling one of the riskiest form of gambling and how does it impact its users and the society at large and in which demographic group is it most prevalent. Technological advances have facilitated greatly on how gambling is done; the advent of technological gadgets such as computers and mobile handsets and availability of internet has enabled online mode of gambling which can be done in private , at any location and anytime. Online gambling is becoming popular for both populations under 18 and those above 18 with its high prevalence being among the young adults. In United States, most states have not legalized online gambling and most of them are considering the legalization to eradicate illegal gambling and find a new potential source of income through taxation. Internationally, entities such as governments, policy makers, regulators, operators and consumers amongst others are faced with challenges with increase in online gambling hence the need to legalize it and protect the consumers. Even though gambling is evident in the history, the transition from place based gambling sites to online gambling could pose a more negative impact on the users and the society compared to the benefits. Due to the presence of television and social media advertising, excessive gambling resulting to gambling disorder is one of its consequence as well as children being victims of gambling due to the effect of the excessive gambling advertising on internet platforms and this results to online gambling being far more addictive compared to the regular gambling hence it has a higher relation to problem gambling. Lastly, the legality of online gambling becomes very complicated where in some states it is legal and in others it is illegal making it hard to control online gambling and its adverse effects.

Data collection

The target population during data collection is the online gamblers and this is very important. One method of data collection to be used is administering of online surveys; this will be possible through linking up with online gambling sites to incorporate an attractive link that when clicked directs the users to the online questionnaire which is voluntary to fill and which also restricts the users from filling more than once. Additionally, emails will also be used to administer online questionnaires after getting a sample of respondents. Conducting online forums is another way to collect data which is possible through social sites such as Facebook. Online interviews can also help collect information on gambling which will be facilitated through social sites as well as use of secondary sources (Griffiths, 2010).

Preliminary findings

In accordance to the Gambling Commission in 2017, online gambling is increasing amongst the millennial population aged 24-35 years. Only 26 % of the online gamblers are likely to follow gambling companies on social media and the rate is highest among 18 to 24 year olds. Facebook is the most popular social site where online gamblers follow gambling companies. Advertising on television prompts people to engage in gambling more than social sites (Gambling Commission, 5). Online gambling is more addictive compared to the traditional gambling because of its structural characteristics such as ease of betting, accessibility and immediate response; online gambling is more attractive to the young generation (Chóliz, 1).

Future Research

The paper evaluates how online gambling influences excessive gambling and how that is related to gambling addiction and disorder. Additionally, the paper evaluates why gambling is more prevalent amongst the millennial population and the motivations of online gambling. In future, there is need to study the effects of early/ youthful exposure to online gambling and how families cope with members with addictive and problematic gambling and its relation to substance abuse as well as how the harm of problematic gambling can be mitigated.

Work cited

Gambling Commission. "Gambling participation in 2017: behavior, awareness and attitudes Annual Report." United Kingdom (2018).

Chóliz, Mariano. "The challenge of online gambling: the effect of legalization on the increase in online gambling addiction." Journal of Gambling Studies 32.2 (2016): 749-756.

Griffiths, M. D. (2010). The use of online methodologies in data collection for gambling and gaming addictions. International journal of mental health and addiction, 8(1), 8-20.