By:Theo Vela
Gambling or online gambling to be exact has grown exponentially in the last 10 years. As digital media grows and grows so will online advertising, online advertising plays a huge role in problem gaming and gambling. Problem gaming is known as addictive video gaming. The same can be said about problem gambling, the two share similarities because they are both vey addictive and can ruin lives and brains. Recent data suggest that Canada has a problem gambling prevalence rate of 0.9% with an additional 2.6% of gamblers being at risk of developing problem gambling (Responsible Gambling Council, 2015). Problem gambling has become an epidemic among the America people. Problem gambling is often associated with a higher prevalence of mood disorder, depression, anxiety, stress, and impulsivity (Blaszczynski & Nower, 2002), and these factors are frequently considered in models for behavioral addictions, problem video gaming among them. Furthermore, motivational factors, such as the desire for fun, to escape from reality or to cope with one’s mood disorder are seen as factors that contribute to both problem gambling and other behavioral addictions such as problem video gaming.
There is a growing body of research that seeks to understand the heightened prevalence of online video gaming by focusing on how it satisfies certain “human needs” (Przybylski et al., 2010, p. 155). Human satisfaction is the main driver of online gaming and gambling, a significant force that attracts individuals to online video games. Motivations drive behaviors by tying certain acts or activities with “emotional preferences”. Once an individual gains a certain stimulus called “short term well being” they will be attracted to come back to that short term well being. The more popular the online game is the more capacity it has to satisfy a wide range of psychosocial needs. The same thing can be said about gambling, the greater the risk and reward it has the more capacity it has in your brain to satisfy your psychosocial needs. Compensatory satisfaction of psychosocial needs, therefore, plays a significant role in motivating individuals to play online games.Online video gaming has become an epicenter for online social interaction this is known as social gaming. Some people who play online games on end 10-12 hours a day may be referred to as someone who is in social isolation. These people tend to develop relationships online, digital worlds make social interaction possible for individuals who, for various reasons, may find it difficult to interact with others in the physical world. Many video-game addicted individuals may prefer digital social interaction rather than in-person interaction, this is due to the fact that the
y can control the nature of the interaction while minimizing the potential for rejection or social rejection.
SO WHY IS THIS A PROBLEM??
Photo by : Healing Hearts Counseling Center
This is a big issue in todays world because individuals are becoming more reliant on these “short term well being” games as an escape from real world problems or conflicts. There are 7 reasons why people online game or gambling; escape, coping, social, fantasy, skill development, competition, and recreation. All of these factors contribute to problem gaming and gambling vice versa. Problem gaming can lead to social isolation and social rejection as some may not have social skills for the real world. They prefer online social interaction which may lead to problem gamers avoiding any social in person interaction. This causes these people to avoid applying for jobs, finding love ones in the future and a decrease in motivation for in person social interaction. As for problem gambling the tables turn, problem gambling may lead to the worst of the effects. Problem gambling cause families to be ruined and mental health to be shattered. The need for “short term well being” is highly addictive and it is what keeps gamblers coming back for more. Problem gambling can lead to bankruptcy which can tear a person apart mentally and physically. While not paying bills, rent, and mortgages, problem gamblers will always look for ways to increase their bank accounts without knowing the full extent of their actions.