The Hidden Dangers of Online Gambling

Giuseppe Faraone
Senior Author
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Before Online Casinos were born, players had to travel from far and wide to the closest land-based casino to get some gambling entertainment. The correct date of the birth of European online casinos is a mystery but many believe that it effectively started back in 1994.

Nowadays there are over a hundred online casinos where players can gamble and while it is more convenient than making a trip to a land-based casino there are also many downsides. With this infographic, we’ll be taking a look at all the negatives that come with online gaming. 
 

Land-based casinos have the downside of costing more because of travelling expenses, overnight stay and other activities. Online Casinos, on the other hand, provide more convenience as you can participate from anywhere in the world and only spend money on the actual gaming part of the experience. In many cases, online casinos are cheaper to play at and more comfortable to play at because you don’t need to dress up or cover additional costs. So what are the downsides to online casino gambling?

The Lonely Experience

While online casinos provide a lot of comfort due to the fact that you don’t have to travel far or cover extra expenses, it also keeps you from the interaction. For many, this might not seem like a big problem but for avid online gamers, this can become a problem. 

The popularity of online casinos is rapidly increasing and people are streaming in from all over the world to indulge in some of the highest tech and best designed online games. On the one hand, playing at online casinos allows you to enjoy games that come with spectacular graphics, suited soundtracks, fun animations and of course heaps of bonus features. 

These games can, however, take up a lot of your time which means that while playing these games, you won’t have access to any social interaction. As human beings, we are in need of human interaction, conversations are vital and important to our happiness and sanity. 

While the majority of online casino games tend to keep you from social interaction, the constant growth of the industry means that companies are looking at bigger and better improvements to create a more realistic experience. There are already a variety of live dealer games available online that not only allows you to chat with the dealer but also with other players. This encourages social interaction, but that being said there is still a long way to go before the gap of interaction can be closed completely. 

It Leads to Overspending

One of the best things about online casinos is that you can start playing within minutes and if you run out of coins during your gameplay you don’t have to stop entirely before you can play again. Online casinos generally offer a variety of payment options that are guaranteed to work for all players.

The best casino payment options tend to include Visa, MasterCard and Direct Bank Transfer as well as popular e-wallets such as Neteller, Skrill (Moneybookers) and Euteller. Many online casinos are starting to provide the option of Bitcoin and some even only take Bitcoins. 

These methods are trusted and secure but the problem is that spending becomes even easier. At land-based casinos, that little break away from the slots or card games tends to be a reality check. This normally helps you snap out of your daze or keeps you from spending more than you should. Granted, it’s not always successful but being able to continue playing while visiting the cashier for yet another deposit at an online casino can become even more problematic. 

It’s important to take a little break from the online gaming scene before you decide to spend some more and fall into heavy debt. Some of the more trusted online casino sites have implemented a reality check feature which is a reminder to let you know how much you’ve been spending and how long you’ve been playing.

If fully utilised, this function can be the same as taking a break from the slots to draw cash at a land-based casino. 

Falling Into a Scam

When looking for an online casino you will see endless lists of possible casinos to play at. The problem is that many of these online casino sites aren’t really trustworthy. Before you start playing at an online casino it would be suggested to first do some extensive research. Gambling might be for fun but it’s also for the winnings and it's where you spend your hard-earned cash.

When it comes to your money you need to be extra sure before joining just any online casino. Do your research on the casino, read up on player reviews and check out that the site is legit. Many online casino sites trick players with massive bonuses and when you eventually land a win worth cashing out, the money never materialises. 

It’s important to find an online casino that mentions their license, has a secured site and has good feedback from players. Chances are that each casino will have received some bad publicity but if the majority of feedback on a casino is negative rather than positive then it’s best to stay away. A licensed casino is less likely to scam you or offer anything but authentic games. 

It’s Not Always About the Player

Before you sign up to any online casino it would be wise to see what security protocols they have in place. Not the site security but rather the player security. Most online casinos lack the security system department. While their site is secure, they don’t have any system in place to protect and help players against overspending, creating mountains of debt or tumbling into gambling addiction. 

The easy accessibility of online casinos and limited restrictions make it easy for players to overindulge. There are many online casinos that offer information pages, contact numbers and other options to help prevent gambling addictions, but very few actually implement a set deposit limit or player protection. Players have a choice of making use of the tools provided to help themselves. 

In a sense, the casino is motivating responsible gambling but on the other hand, the casino is not doing everything it could. While you as the player wouldn’t want someone to make your decisions for you, there are times when we all need someone to say no and stop us from spending more than we can really afford. At the end of the day, it’s important to find a trusted online casino that cares more about you than the money you put into the casino.

Results Being Tampered With

Online gambling or gambling, in general, is like playing a Claw Machine. Some companies are fair and therefore your chances of winning are 50/50. Other companies may try to get as much as they can without really giving out any rewards so they oil the claw machine and loosen it to the point that no matter what you do or what strategy you use, you won’t be able to catch those adorable plush toys.

There is a large group of people who believe that online casinos do the same with their online (and land-based) casino games. They rig it so that players won’t get any big winnings no matter how much they deposit, spend or bet. If you play at a scam casino site there is a big chance that things like this could potentially happen. That’s why it’s important to do your research and explore the site before you sign up at any online casino.

The best thing to do would be to check out our list of Top 10 Online Casinos. Each site has been thoroughly researched and looked through to ensure there is nothing suspicious going on. A licensed casino powered by the biggest and most well-known gaming providers is also less likely to rig their games.

Not only will they not be able to, but they will also be checked upon by independent auditing companies. These secure sites normally run all their games through a Random Number Generator to ensure that the outcome is always fair and unbiased. Mostly the outcomes can’t be manipulated by the casino or the player, which means even better odds for you.

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Giuseppe Faraone

Giuseppe Faraone

Author & Online Gambling Expert

1139 Articles
Being so close to the action in iGaming, Giuseppe is on top of any new developments the minute they come through the door, as his book is testament to. Published in October 2022, his first book; The Untold Story of Online Gambling is available on Amazon.
Expert On:
Gambling Laws
Responsible Gambling
Players Rights
Online Casinos
Casino Licences

Reviewed By Julia Attard

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Experienced Senior Author & Online Casino Expert

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