3 Things You Should Know About Online Gambling
With significant advancements come many obstacles. Currently, we are living in a time where most American adults have a mobile phone, computer or tablet. There are multiple benefits to having unlimited information at your fingertips, and as the saying goes, with great power comes great responsibility.
In the modern Internet era, online gambling websites are one of the most profitable businesses in the world. Their rapid growth has contributed to problem gambling all across America. To help treat people with gambling disorders, The Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey has stepped in to provide multiple resources that people can utilize.
Since online gambling is relatively new, here is a list of four things you may not know about the industry:
- The first online casino formed in 1996. The first online poker site launched in 1998. Many of these sites were run from off-shore companies located outside of the US. Online gambling is thought to be responsible for contributing to the growth of gambling amongst children and teenagers due to the ease of access. Even playing “free” games can lead to a more serious gambling habit down the road. Our staff at The Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey has the top 24/7 gambling help hotline in New Jersey, and we pride ourselves on being able to help online gamblers of all ages.
- Online Fantasy Sports evolved from a seasonal activity to a daily betting format in under ten years. This illustrates how rapidly the demand for online gaming is. In 2015, it was estimated that over 55 million people played fantasy sports. This explosion led to the transition from annual and weekly fantasy games, to daily contests. While The Council is neither for nor against Fantasy Sports, it wants to be available to offer Support, Treatment and Hope.
Many times, betters win early and continue to play until they lose. On the contrary, some problem gamblers start off with a losing record and continuously try to regain their losses. If you know somebody who needs help with a gambling problem (of any kind), feel free to utilize our 24/7 Confidential Hotline at 1-800-GAMBLER.
- February 2016 was a record month for Online Casinos in New Jersey. The combined industry brought in over $14 million of revenue in only 29 days. The online gambling market is young and rapidly growing, which can be hazardous for individuals with a gambling disorder. Luckily, The Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey offers support and hope for New Jersey residents by providing many resources on our website.
Addiction to online gambling is treatable. Our resources range from digital brochures to a complete list Gamblers Anonymous meetings across NJ. For assistance and information with gambling addiction, please visit https://800gambler.org or call 1-800-GAMBLER today.