How is online gambling addiction spreading?

Online Gambling Addiction and Prevention Strategies

Digitalization has facilitated the transition of gambling to online platforms, making online gambling addiction a significant public health issue. The World Health Organization (WHO) and the American Psychiatric Association (APA) classify gambling addiction as a behavioral disorder that affects the brain’s reward system. Children and young people are among the most vulnerable groups at risk of developing this addiction.

The widespread availability of online gambling leads to not only financial losses but also psychological and social problems. In Turkey, 80% of young people have encountered online gambling platforms, while algorithms analyze personal data to promote addictive behaviors. Gamification techniques and manipulative advertising strategies further encourage individuals, especially minors, to engage in gambling.

Artificial intelligence and virtual reality technologies reinforce gambling addiction, while “loot box” mechanisms in e-sports games increase gambling tendencies among young people. Governments are implementing regulations to control online gambling, and Turkey is working on measures similar to those in the EU.

Turkey’s illegal gambling market exceeds 10 billion TL, and in 2023, the Information and Communication Technologies Authority (BTK) blocked 183,000 illegal online gambling sites. Civil society organizations like Yeşilay play a crucial role in raising awareness and providing addiction counseling.

Combatting gambling addiction requires collaboration among families, educators, governments, and digital platform providers. Strengthening media literacy, digital awareness education, and online monitoring systems is essential in the fight against online gambling addiction.

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Source: Anadolu Agency