Rise in online gambling addiction among adolescents fueled by high-speed internet
An innocent attempt to join an online gaming group can quickly escalate into a serious addiction to betting and gambling, disrupting many aspects of life. While traditional gambling is regulated by the Public Gambling Act of 1867, the rapid growth of internet-based gaming apps has allowed online betting and gambling to outpace this outdated law.
Hyderabad: One of the many unintended consequences of uninterrupted and affordable high speed internet is the rising instance of addiction to online gambling and betting, especially among adolescents.
What starts as an innocent attempt at joining an online gaming group eventually carries the risk of turning-into a major addiction to betting/ gambling, capable of disrupting all aspects of life.
While the traditional physical gambling is regulated by Public Gambling Act of India 1867, in the last few years, thanks to the complete domination of internet-related online gaming apps, online betting and gambling quickly outpaced this archaic law.
Online gambling is also not considered as a public health issue, which is a challenge to quickly identify and initiate treatment.
“There is no denying that online gambling and gaming disorder is behavioral addiction. It starts with online games among young people, which eventually leads to complications involving social, emotional and physical health. These effects trigger mental and physical damage, violence, anger and social isolation,” says general secretary, Indian Psychiatric Society, Dr Vishal Akula.
The prevalence of gambling in the country could be around 7.4 percent, multiple studies suggested. Also, 5 to 10 people are adversely affected for every person who experiences gambling problems. Gambling is associated with major community concerns, such as suicide, mental illness, debt, violence, poverty, and homelessness. Despite this, gambling has not received much attention from policymakers and public health experts in India, a report on gambling published in The Lancet (January, 2024), said.
“Many individuals engaging in online betting, gambling and even gaming, experience various kinds of mental health challenges that are comorbid to internet gaming disorder. Especially adolescents, if they get addicted, then they suffer depression, isolation and social anxiety, aggression and behavioural issues, PTSD and sleep disturbances,” says Head, Psychiatry, Government Medical College, Jagtial, Dr Vishal.
The senior psychiatrist, however, points out that there are pharmaceutical interventions that can play a supportive role in managing online gambling, betting gaming disorders when combined with behavioural therapies.
“There are specific drugs for treatment of depression and social anxiety, which is common among such addicts. There is enough empirical data indicating efficiency of specific drugs to manage aggression and behavioral issues, which are so common among adolescents addicted to the internet. Families with such adolescents must recognize the problem, don’t worry about stigma and accept mental health treatment,” Dr Vishal added.
Some statistics of internet gaming and addiction:
• Prevalence of internet addiction varies from 1.5 % to 25 % worldwide
• 18 to 24 years adults vulnerable to become gaming/betting/ gambling addicts in India
• Internet gaming disorder prevalence in India is 3.5 % among school children
• Addiction prevalence higher in makes than females
• Another study indicates prevalence of online betting/gaming addiction among adolescents to 1.3 % to 19.9 % in India
