The Growing Popularity of Online Gambling

Despite the fact that online gambling is legal in 48 states, the federal government has not taken a clear stance on the issue. There are many state laws that address the legality of gambling online, and there are federal laws that reinforce state laws in some cases.

One of the more recent studies by the Annenberg Public Policy Center found that while college-age males increased their use of Internet gambling sites in 2010, they still remained on the low end of the gambling scale. However, the study also found that a large percentage of college-age males reportedly gambled online for money at least once a month.

The study found that high school-aged males increased their use of Internet gambling sites by a mere 2.7%, while college-aged males increased their use of Internet betting sites by a whopping 6.2%. The study found that while these numbers may sound like a lot, they still fell short of the impressive number of college-aged males that gambled for money each month in 2010.

Among the numerous other aforementioned achievements, a 2010 survey conducted by the Annenberg Adolescent Communication Institute found that while online gambling is a good way to spend a night out, the most interesting fact is the number of teenagers who are addicted to gambling. Among this group, the study found that half of the 16 million Americans suffering from gambling addictions were teenagers.

While not all gambling is created equal, it is safe to say that online gambling is more popular than ever. As more and more people get internet access, so will the market for gambling online. Those seeking help for gambling addiction should contact their primary care physician.