Internet Gambling: Issues, Concerns, and Recommendations
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CYBERPSYCHOLOGY & BEHAVIOR Volume 6, Number 6, 2003 © Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. Internet Gambling: Issues, Concerns, and Recommendations MARK GRIFFITHS, Ph.D. ABSTRACT The influence of technology in the field of gambling innovation continues to grow at a rapid pace. After a brief overview of gambling technologies and deregulation issues, this review examines the impact of technology on gambling by highlighting salient factors in the rise of Internet gambling (i.e., accessibility, affordability, anonymity, convenience, escape immer- sion/dissociation, disinhibition, event frequency, asociability, interactivity, and simulation). The paper also examines other factors in relation to Internet gambling including the relation- ship between Internet addiction and Internet gambling addiction. The paper ends by overviewing some of the social issues surrounding Internet gambling (i.e., protection of the vulnerable, Internet gambling in the workplace, electronic cash, and unscrupulous opera- tors). Recommendations for Internet gambling operators are also provided. INTRODUCTION Global gambling has grown substantially in the last 10 years, which is particularly noteworthy in HEINFLUENCEOF TECHNOLOGY in the field of gam- the area of Internet gambling. Tbling innovation continues to grow at a rapid There appears to be a global expansion strategy. pace. The impact of gambling technology has been Technology is providing “convenience” gambling. widespread, and there are many observed trends around the world that appear to have resulted from Griffiths1 has argued that technology has always technological innovation, for example, gambling played a role in the development of gambling prac- coming out of gambling environments, gambling tices. Technology will continue to provide new mar- becoming a more asocial activity, widespread de- ket opportunities not only in the shape of Internet regulation, and increased opportunities to gamble. gambling but also in the shape of more technologi- Furthermore, there are many other factors that form cally advanced slot machines, video lottery termi- the backdrop to examining the increasing use of nals (VLTs), interactive television (i-TV) gambling, technology: and telephone wagering. Furthermore, other estab- lished gambling forms are becoming more techno- logically driven (e.g., bingo, keno). Governments appear to be fixated on raising In many countries, there appears to be a slow revenue. shift from gambling being taken out of gambling Governments and gaming appear to be using environments and into the home and the workplace every marketing tool to increase revenue. (and in the case of Internet gambling, it has gone Psychology Division, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, NG1 4B0 United Kingdom. 557 558 GRIFFITHS from being very site specific to being in cyberspace). SITUATIONALAND STRUCTURAL This trend has been noted by a number of authors. 2–4 CHARACTERISTICS OF GAMBLING: Historically, what we have witnessed is a shift from TECHNOLOGICALIMPLICA TIONS destination resorts (such as Las Vegas and Atlantic City) to individual gaming establishments in most In getting people to gamble (and to keep on gam- major cities (e.g., betting shops, casinos, amusement bling), the industry uses every marketing method it arcades, bingo halls). More recently there has been has at their disposal. These methods mainly fall a large increase in single site gambling opportuni- into two types—situational and structural charac- ties (e.g., slot machines in non-gaming venues, lot- teristics.6,7 tery tickets sold in mainstream retail outlets), to Situational characteristics are those features that gambling from home or work (e.g., Internet gam- facilitate people to gamble in the first place. These bling, i-TV gambling). However, gambling can now are primarily features of the environment and can be done in a wide variety of retail outlets. It is also be considered the situational determinants of gam- clear that the “newer” forms of gambling, such as bling. They include such things as the location of Internet and i-TV gambling, are activities that are the gambling outlet, the number of gambling out- done almost exclusively from non-gambling envi- lets in a specified area, and the use of advertising in ronments. One major worry about this is that, in gen- stimulating people to gamble. These variables may eral, regulation of gambling all but disappears when be very important in the initial decision to gamble. 8 gambling is done in non-gambling environments. Structural characteristics are those features that are responsible for reinforcement, may satisfy gamblers’ needs, and may actually facilitate excessive gam- TECHNOLOGY AND DEREGULATION bling. They include such things as the event fre- quency of the activity, the payout interval, and light, Deregulation is now firmly entrenched within the color, and sound effects. 6 policy of many governments worldwide. The pres- Technological advance can (and will) have a ent situation of stimulating gambling appears to be potentially large impact on the development and mirroring the previous initiations of other socially maintenance of gambling behavior. By identifying condoned but potentially addictive behaviors like particular situational and structural characteristics, drinking (alcohol) and smoking (nicotine). Accord- it may be possible to see how needs are identified, ing to Littler, 5 deregulation of the gambling indus- tosee how information about gambling is presented try has occurred for a number of reasons. These (or perhaps misrepresented), and to see how thoughts include the following: about gambling are influenced and distorted. Show- ing the existence of such relationships has great practical importance. Not only could potentially Highly successful introduction of national and “dangerous” forms of gambling be identified, but state lotteries that have not only provided strong effective and selective legislation could be formu- competition for the “leisure dollar” but have di- lated. rectly challenged the theoretical basis on which It is useful to examine these characteristics and other gambling is regulated dimensions among all types of gambling activity so Governments commitment to deregulation in as that they can be described, compared, and contrasted many areas as possible, resulting in laws being using the same parameters. This may help in pin- passed that allow the least controversial changes pointing where technology has a role (either directly to be introduced more easily or indirectly) in gambling acquisition, development, Worldwide explosion in gambling (particularly and maintenance. For instance, from a technologi- casino gaming), which has left many operators cal standpoint, activities such as Internet gambling feeling they are being left behind in the competi- are changing the nature of situational determinants tion for international players to gamble and could have a large impact in uptake Government’s desire for more revenue from non- of gambling services (i.e., technology’s role in the essential forms of expenditure, of which gambling situational determinants of gambling will have most is an obvious candidate. impact on acquisition of behavior). One of the major concerns relating to the increase To some extent, technological innovation is help- in gambling opportunities is the potential rise in ing make deregulation easier to achieve. Technology the number of problem gamblers (i.e., “gambling has brought gambling into the home and the work- addicts”). Addictions always result from an inter- place, and has opened up a legislative minefield. action and interplay between many factors, includ- INTERNET GAMBLING 559 ing the person’s biological and/or genetic predis- increased problems. Research into other socially ac- position, their psychological constitution, their social ceptable but potentially addictive behaviors (drink- environment, and the nature of the activity itself. ing alcohol, gambling etc.) has demonstrated that However, in the case of gambling, it could be ar- increased accessibility leads to increased uptake gued that technology and technological advance can (i.e., regular use) and that this usually leads to an itself be an important contributory factor, as we increase in problems—although the increase may shall see below in examining the salient factors in not be proportional. 1 Since technology has played Internet gambling. (and will continue to play) a critical role in the de- velopment of increased gambling opportunities (e.g., Internet gambling), this will lead to increased THE IMPACT OF TECHNOLOGY ON accessibility. What has been clearly demonstrated GAMBLING: SALIENT FACTORS from research evidence in other countries is that where accessibility of gambling is increased there is To what extent does technology facilitate exces- an increase not only in the number of regular gam- siveness? There are a number of factors that make blers but also an increase in the number of problem online activities like Internet gambling potentially gamblers.11–16 This obviously means that not every- seductive and/or addictive. Such factors include one is susceptible to developing gambling addic- anonymity, convenience, escape, dissociation/im- tions, but it does mean that, at a societal (rather than mersion, accessibility, event frequency, interactivity, individual) level, the more gambling opportunities, disinhibition, simulation, and asociability. In gen- the more problems. eral, structural characteristics of gambling appear to be enhanced through technological innovation.