Online Gambling is the practice of placing wagers on games of chance or skill for money, using a remote device such as a computer, tablet or smartphone. It is a growing activity, with an estimated global market size of more than $9.5 billion as of September 2021. While online gambling has its advantages, it also breeds addiction. In addition, it blurs the boundaries between legal and illegal gambling as players are not subject to a physical presence. Furthermore, it allows gamblers to play more frequently since they do not need to leave the comfort of their homes or offices. This translates into more gamblers and greater potential for problems.

It is worth mentioning that online gaming is not a substitute for traditional casino gambling. The fact that gambling is facilitated on the internet allows it to be played in much more accessible places. For example, it allows gamblers from remote areas or those with poor transport infrastructure to access gambling opportunities. In addition, it also makes gambling more appealing to those who cannot afford the cost of visiting a physical casino.

While the majority of studies on risk and protective factors have focused on the population of adults, some of them have also included children and young people. This is important as it enables us to understand how these factors can impact on the developing behaviours of those who are younger, especially when those habits develop in conjunction with other features of popular games such as loot boxes and skin betting.