Online gambling has gained popularity in the late 1990s. By 1997, there were more than 150 gambling websites on the Internet. A Frost & Sullivan study estimated that revenues for online gambling sites were over $830 million in 1998. In 1999, online poker rooms were introduced. The Internet Gaming Prohibition Act was introduced in the US Senate, which would have banned online gambling for U.S. citizens. In 2000, multiplayer gaming became available. Today, multiplayer games are the most popular form of internet-based gambling.
Teenagers and college-age students have easy access to real-world gambling. Parents and youth should discuss the risks involved, especially with younger children. This article provides an overview of the issues regarding Internet gambling and how to recognize and manage a problem if it arises. If a problem does arise, contact a primary care physician and review additional materials online to help protect your family and your health. While this article aims to provide basic information on internet gambling, it does not provide medical advice or treatment.
The most basic equipment needed to participate in online gambling is a computer with internet access. Many sites are only compatible with PCs running Windows. However, some sites have recently started accepting Macs as well. Aside from this, most computer systems and laptops can be used for gambling. Even smartphones are compatible. For these reasons, online gambling is not recommended for minors and should not be done without a doctor’s supervision. Those who are concerned about the risks involved in online gambling should contact a primary care physician or review other resources on the web.