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Gambling can provide an environment for people to escape from the atrocities of the real world, and can therefore be particularly dangerous to the psyche of individuals. Whether a player at an online casino (such as Powbet) experiences psychiatric symptoms when they develop a gambling addiction depends not only on the individual’s character, but also on their age, gender, marital status, economic status and education. A correlation was found between psychiatric symptoms and the diagnosis of gambling addiction based on these measures.
A high percentage of gamblers also suffer from the adverse effects of internet addiction. Over the past decade, most countries have seen an increase in the number of online casino users, as the internet has become an integral part of people’s lives with easier access to platforms such as PowBet.
Negative Effects
The potential negative effects of excessive online casino use are physical and psychological problems. People who spend more than 38 hours a week online are considered to be addicted. This is known as impulse control disorder and has many similarities with pathological gambling, which Powbet and other similar casinos are trying to prevent by promoting responsible gambling.
It is a major problem in modern society and it continues to grow. The issue of internet and gambling addiction are both psychosocial disorders, characterised by a lack of tolerance, withdrawal symptoms, problems in social relationships – all of which cause difficulties in the individual’s private life. Why?
They cause heightened psychological arousal levels, which can lead to little and poor quality sleep, eating disorders, reduced physical activity, and even physical and mental health problems such as depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), anxiety. Several studies have reported on the links between internet addiction, gambling and psychiatric symptoms. Depression is the most commonly documented.
Excessive gamblers feel less responsibility towards society and their environment, are more isolated and suffer more. They feel unsuccessful and have low self-esteem. Gambling addiction is also associated with symptoms of OCD.
Research shows that men are three times more likely to become addicted to gambling than women, regardless of marital status. The symptoms of gambling addiction are closely linked to psychological and psychiatric problems, such as depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, subjective distress, functional impairment, loneliness. OCD and ADHD, poor coping with interpersonal situations, were found in both sexes in related studies, while aggression was associated only in men.
However, none of the research so far has been able to conclude that excessive gambling is a cause or a consequence of mental health problems, but it does show that it can be improved through proper education in society and families, as well as through a culture of internet use.
Gambling as Social Media
Technological advances have not only changed the face of gambling, but also the way people interact with each other. Thanks to live games, online gambling can also be a community builder, which helps some people in feeling that they have a greater social base. But for others it is detrimental because it increases their sense of isolation and depression.
Several different studies have found over the last decade that online activities can be detrimental to mental health. Time spent in digital spaces can take away time spent with others in person and/or lead to a lack of physical activity and hobbies, all of which can help prevent mental illness. One of the biggest concerns is that harmful gambling, alcohol and substance abuse are portrayed as normal on social media because of marketing bias.
What is the Underlying Cause of Excessive Time Spent Online?
As we live in a consumer society, everyone now has some kind of smart device and internet connection, which means constant availability. This can lead to the aforementioned impulse control problems: poor concentration, poor sleep quality.
Like addiction to nicotine, alcohol, drugs or gambling, internet use can lead to psychological cravings. When an individual receives positive feedback on something in online social spaces, dopamine is released in the brain, which the brain interprets as a reward. The same happens when you smoke a cigarette, eat chocolate or win at the slot machine. The more and more frequent the rewards, the greater the risk of developing an addiction, which can have a negative impact on other areas of our lives.
Yet online spaces could also be a tool to improve mental health. People who are aware that they have a mental disorder can look up health information, talk to others about their experiences and seek treatment. If you are experiencing mental health problems, don’t delay in seeking help from a health care provider or mental health professional. And if gambling is one of your leisure activities, play responsibly! Set limits and resort to self-exclusion if necessary.
