Research Shows Online Gambling Addiction Affects Very Few

With more than a million users tapping into online gambling worldwide each day, the debate on "Internet gambling addiction" is being considered by health organizations, experienced counselors, and affected citizens.

"Internet gambling addiction monopolizes and, because of the obsession, can take control of normal daily life," said Mike Kodrich, a licensed professional counselor.

Schaffer said of the couples he counsels for gambling problems, 20% to 25% are negatively influenced by Internet affairs, cyber-pornography, online gambling, or simply the Internet commanding too much attention in their life.

Kodrich said he has also counseled individuals for addiction to online computer games.

Other sources of "Internet addiction" include "friend" Web sites like the ever-present MySpace or the college-oriented friend-collector, TheFaceBook, also account for hours lost at the computer screen, but experts say addiction to the Internet can only be considered such if it begins to affect normal daily life.

Internet gambling addiction ranks toward the bottom of the list of his most frequent counseling issues, Kodrich said, but the amount of people with an Internet gambling problem is underestimated.

The Ohio Department of Alcohol and Drug Addiction recently added a program to curb impulsive online casino gambling, but does not offer any services for other Internet addictions.

July 29, 2006
Posted By Bob Hartman
Staff Editor, CasinoGamblingWeb.com    Previous Page | Internet Gambling | Top Online Casinos | Submit News!