Problem Gambling Expert Says Online Casinos Not Raising Addiction

Despite "common sense" expectations that the convenience of online gambling would drive compulsive gambling figures up, Professor Dan Ross says the results have shown otherwise.

The director of research for the National Responsible Gambling Program of South Africa says the popularity of online casinos does not seem to create greater numbers of problem gamblers. Despite "common sense" expectations that the convenience of online gambling would drive compulsive gambling figures up, Professor Dan Ross says the results have shown otherwise.

“On a theoretical level, online gaming’s increased accessibility should make it more dangerous than traditional gaming. But... it does not seem to be the reality,” Ross told Business Day.

Ross actually asserts that the true danger for gambling addicts is the ease at attaining credit beyond their means. Ross believes regulating online casinos and restricting accounts to maximum gambling amounts is the best way to combat problem gaming on the Internet.

“It can be said that people may not fully appreciate the financial implications of using credit and it could get even responsible gamblers into trouble,” said Ross.

Many opponents of Internet gambling in the US have cited unfounded belief that regulating online casinos will cause an epidemic of problem gambling. But scientific measurement has found that in actuality, problem gambling occurs in greater percentages at land-based casinos than at Internet gaming venues.