Online gamblers more at risk of addiction

ONLINE gamblers are more likely to be at risk of becoming problem gamblers than those who gamble offline, new research shows.

ONLINE gamblers are more likely to be at risk of becoming problem gamblers, new research shows.

A survey of 4688 Australians who gamble online found 30 per cent of these people experienced low to moderate risks compared with 15 per cent of people who gamble using traditional, "offline'' means.

And Gamblers Help Eastern is seeing one new online problem gambler from across the east each week.

Low to moderate risks include not being able to pay bills, spending more than intended and chasing losses.

Southern Cross University postdoctoral research fellow Sally Gainsbury said her nationally representative survey was the first of its kind on online gambling in Australia.

"When you're gambling online, because it's electronic, it doesn't have the same salience as having that $50 note in your hand," Dr Gainsbury said.

Dr Gainsbury said another telephone survey of 15,006 Australian adults conducted by Southern Cross in 2011 showed 8 per cent had gambled online in the past 12 months.

"That's a massive increase because more than half of these started playing online from 2009 or later," she said.

Her research has found half of problem gamblers betting online have developed their addictions after using internet gambling but half already had a problem before they started using online methods.

"One of the biggest risk factors is being young," Dr Gainsbury said.

Gamblers Help Eastern manager Jackie Bramwell said the centre's counselling services had seen an increase in calls from online problem gamblers over the past two years.

"Every week we are receiving a query or a referral in regards to online gambling," Mrs Bramwell said.

"We need to educate parents and teens on the risks of gambling.

"It's not a game."

If you know someone who needs help or would like to talk to someone about gambling, phone Gamblers Help Eastern on 1300 131 973.