Online gambling is the fastest growing industry in the world. Millions of people gamble online daily on different platforms. However, online gambling does come with certain restrictions. Here are some important rules for safe online gambling:
The World Trade Organization, a multinational trading body, sets up and enforces trading agreements between member countries. In 2004, the small island nation of Antigua and Barbuda filed a complaint with the WTO claiming that online gambling is causing thousands of jobs in its economy. The United States was found guilty of violating the country’s online gambling laws. However, it did not change its position. Although online gambling is now widely available, some states still have laws to prevent it.
The South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS) is a standard questionnaire for people who gamble online. The score assigned to an individual is based on a set of questions that can indicate whether he or she has a gambling problem. The average SOGS score among online gamblers was 7.8 while that of the overall population was 1.8. Based on these scores, the researchers classified respondents into three levels: level one gamblers had SOGS scores of 0 to 2, level two gamblers had SOGS scores of three to four, and level three gamblers had SOGS scores of five or more.
Responsible gambling is important for both players and operators. Online gambling operators can use various strategies to help customers and encourage responsible gambling. These strategies can include player-focused tools and resources for regulating play, self-imposed spending limits, time-outs, and information about the games’ risks and payout structures. However, some studies suggest that these strategies do not have the desired effect and should be avoided at all costs. In addition, research needs to be conducted on online gambling problems and the causes of gambling disorder.