Research shows that online gamblers are impacted more negatively than in-person gamblers

Online gamblers experience more negative effects of gambling on all aspects than in-person gamblers, according to research conducted by Ipsos I&O on behalf of The Research and Data Centre (WODC). The effects mentioned are a feeling of regret, being able to spend less money on things that you would want, or experiencing that somebody's work or study is suffering due to gambling.

Online gamblers who gamble on games of chance also gamble more frequently than nononline gamblers. They also play more often at night and alone. They have different reasons for gambling, for example, out of boredom.

For gamblers in general, 'winning money' ( 53 percent) was the main reason the people surveyed gave for why they gamble on games of chance. It was followed by 'the excitement or tensions that the game brings' (34 percent) and 'relaxation' (18 percent).

The survey involving 3,600 adults showed that two percent of the gamblers on games of chance admitted that they have gotten into trouble because of their gambling. Another three percent said that they were at risk of that.

Most online players (81 percent) think playing on a legal website is important, but 38 percent believe it is hard to tell the difference between a legal provider and an illegal one. Most players (81 percent) think it is good that gamblers have to submit their playing limits beforehand, but at the same time, 68 percent say they have their gambling under control and, therefore, don't need a playing limit.

A majority of the players do not know the organizations where people with gambling problems can find help. The majority of the respondents said that they had never heard of Loket Kansspelen (79 percent), Central Register Exclusion Gambling (90 percent), or Stichting AGOG (93 percent).

The research is intended to 'monitor' Dutch gambling policy, according to the WODC. The aim is to enable consumers to participate in games of chance in a safe, fair, and legal manner.