Online Gambling involves betting or playing games of chance for money using a computer, tablet or mobile phone with an internet connection. It can be accessed in countries where it is legal, but many people gamble on sites that are not licensed by their national regulators and operate under different jurisdictional rules. This often makes it difficult for national regulators to enforce their laws and punish players from unregulated jurisdictions.

In addition, online gambling sites make it easy for people to conceal their activity by hiding behind usernames and passwords. This can also make it difficult for family members and friends to recognize a problem when it arises. Online gambling addiction shares many of the same symptoms as other types of addiction, such as disrupted relationships, financial difficulties, and feelings of withdrawal when trying to cut back on gambling.

In a 2023 study published in the journal, “Psychological Research,” researchers found that certain personality traits elevate a person’s risk of developing a gambling disorder. Specifically, neuroticism (a tendency to experience negative emotions) and low conscientiousness (a lack of attention to detail and self-control) were associated with a higher likelihood of developing a gambling addiction.