Conventional gambling, online gambling.. Some of you may say whats the difference since they're still gambling? Well, to non-gamblers, the only difference is that online gambling is over the internet. To them gamblers, one very significant difference is that they are unable to observe the opponents reactions and body language, which is crucial factor in the game.
Online gambling offers similar games as conventional gambling. One of the most popular game played is Texas Hold'em, which is currently the most popular form of poker. The invention of online gambling helped Texas Hold'em to gain great popularity in the recent years. Click And now that the world cup fever is on, many people are betting on their favourite teams to win. Betting online has become very common over the years and getting very popular as well. Even though it is illegal in Singapore, many people still do it because it is easy to use and they can do it right at home.
If gambling is so bad, why do social networking websites such as Facebook encourage users to play poker (take earning profits aside)? Technically, gambling, as defined on Wikipedia, is is the wagering of money or something of material value (referred to as "the stakes") on an event with an uncertain outcome with the primary intent of winning additional money and/or material goods. So you aren't actually gambling without items of value. But it's up to you to decide.
Like the real world, online gambling requires real money to play. Conventional gambling has an age requirement of 18 or 21 depending on the country and in some countries like Singapore, there is a ban for compulsive gamblers. However, online gambling has no age restrictions, bans, or whatsoever. Anyone can play as long as they have money and the ability to credit it. Players are also able to convert the virtual money back into real cash.
The video shows a professional poker player who earn a living by playing poker from home. He rarely leaves his house and even has a special lamp to simulate sunlight. How can that not be an addiction? How can anyone spend about 6-10 hours a day playing online poker with no interaction with anyone at all. I personally would probably be dead by the end of the first day.
Even though the guy may be earning tonnes of money (as much as $30,000/ month)at the comfort of his own home, there should be a fine line between work and gambling. As said in the video, signs of addiction include being preoccupied with gambling, gambling to escape problems, and returning to break even after losing. I find the last sign very common in all gamblers, which is the easiest method of getting hooked on to gambling. The video below shows how gambling, online or conventional, affects our lives and those around us.
(Apologies to my non-mandarin speaking friends. The mandarin version just sounds so much better than the English one, but I'm sure you get the message.)
I have friends who gamble practically every other day be it conventional or online. Friends I used to be very close to and because of gambling, we drifted far apart and I rarely see them nowadays. The only people they mix with nowadays are their gambling buddies who win money from them. This is like being friends with someone who just robbed you. Well, it's just my opinion and it's their life and they are entitled to do what they choose.
I do believe that online gambling has positive effects as well, such as passing time if your're bored and alone at home. However, this should be done in moderation, if not it will lead to addiction (and possibly not leaving the house ever again). Let a loss be a loss as trying to win it back may result in a greater loss. You may be lucky once but not forever.
