Despite the fact that it may seem like a lot of fun, online gambling can be quite dangerous. In fact, it’s not uncommon for people to get addicted to the activity and have trouble getting out. There are several things to consider, such as legality and the problem of esports.
Legality
Several governments have passed laws to regulate the online gambling industry. In particular, Australia has a gambling department, which is responsible for monitoring and regulating internet gambling. A similar entity exists in Uruguay. In addition to regulating online gambling, the Uruguayan regulatory body has the power to shut down illegal online gambling sites.
The legality of online gambling has become a point of contention in the gambling industry. Aside from the legality of gambling, there is also the question of who is allowed to participate in such activities. Currently, there are many video gaming consoles that are available for online play. There are even a few online simulated gambling sites that allow users to purchase virtual coins.
Problems
Various studies have been conducted to determine the effects of online gaming on the average Joe. Studies have shown that online gaming is a distraction from the real world and can sabotage academic and psychological development of youth. Online games can lead to addiction, and in some cases, substance abuse and depression. Online gaming is a big no-no for those players who do not speak English.
There are many problems with online gaming, from the infuriating to the downright dangerous. The most obvious is the harassment and sex abuse that plagues online gaming communities. Some players do the unthinkable by calling their fellow players a tr***y, fa***t and a Fa-fa.
Longitudinal research
Adding gambling questions to longitudinal studies represents a cost-effective way to expand data collection and provide insights into individual gambling trajectories. However, this is a very time-consuming process.
Several longitudinal studies have already included questions about gambling in their surveys, including the Millennium Cohort Study and the Understanding Society study. These studies can be useful as templates for new studies. However, it is important to ensure that the gambling data is accurate and that there are sufficient numbers of problem gamblers.
A qualitative longitudinal study was designed to explore gambling behaviour among young Danish adults. A panel study approach was used and participants were interviewed twice in a six-month period, each time focusing on different aspects of gambling.
Esports
eSports are live-streamed gaming tournaments that are watched by millions of online viewers. They can be seen on platforms like Twitch. In addition to that, esports competitions also offer prize pools of hundreds of thousands of dollars.
The esports industry is growing rapidly. In fact, in 2017, the global esports market was worth over 650 million dollars. Newzoo estimates that Esports revenue will rise to $1.6 billion by 2021. That figure is predicted to grow 38% a year.
In order to participate in esports, players are required to have a strong gaming background, skill, and teamwork. As of today, esports competitions are largely played by young, well-educated males.