In recent years, both virtual gambling sites and the number of people playing games on these sites have been increasing rapidly.
Experts emphasize that virtual gambling, which constitutes a new addiction area, poses a serious addiction threat as it can be played anytime and anywhere online.
As in the rest of the world, virtual gambling is spreading rapidly in Turkey. The biggest share is betting, which holds half of virtual gambling revenues, while virtual casinos are in second place. Expert Psychologist Gürler Güz from Üsküdar University NPISTANBUL Brain Hospital points to easy accessibility, the ability to play in comfortable environments such as home, the perception created by giving money in a virtual environment, and the high number of bonuses and products as the most important factors in the spread of virtual gambling.
6% OF THE BRITISH USE THE INTERNET FOR GAMBLING
Güz describes the fact that the value of an international online gambling brand was 6.1 billion Euros in 2013 as an important data showing the prevalence of virtual gambling. Noting that a study conducted in the UK revealed that 6% of the population uses the internet for virtual gambling, Expert Psychologist Gürler Güz points out that this rate does not include lottery tickets, and that this rate would increase considerably if it were included. Güz cites Australia as another example from the world regarding virtual gambling. He states that while the rate of online gambling in Australia was below 1% of the population in 1999, it increased to 8.1% in 2011 after it was legalized.
Expert Psychologist Gürler Güz, who also cites the results of a study comparing online and non-online gambling, notes that while non-online gambling is 5.9%, online gambling is 3 times higher.
PSYCHIATRIC DISORDER SHOULD BE CHECKED FIRST
Stating that virtual gambling addiction can cause economic difficulties as well as problems in the social life of the individual, Güz says that in the treatment of this type of addiction, it is necessary to first investigate whether there is an underlying psychiatric disorder and then start treatment.