Internet gambling refers to wagering activities conducted by users over the internet. This includes sports betting, casinos, lotteries, online poker, and virtual poker.

Internet gambling has become the fastest-growing form of gambling. It provides many advantages, including easy access to large betting options, fast feedback, and convenience. However, it can also lead to excessive gambling and disordered behavior. The current paper aims to provide an overview of the state of the research on adult Internet gambling addiction.

Recent studies indicate that Internet gambling poses a problem for many people. Several reports suggest that one-third to one-half of Internet gamblers have problems. In addition, some Internet problem gamblers attribute their issues to other forms of gambling, including land-based gambling.

However, research findings suggest that some Internet problem gamblers may not be having problems with other types of gambling. Many of the studies conducted in this area were cross-sectional, and a single gambling index may not be sufficient to determine whether a particular individual is at risk for developing a gambling problem.

A comprehensive literature review was conducted to identify significant trends in the research. Although most of the studies were not longitudinal in nature, they showed that the involvement of problem gamblers in Internet gambling was higher than that of non-problem gamblers.

Some of the research also suggests that high levels of accessibility can increase the rate of disordered gambling. For example, in a study of British gamblers, LaPlante and colleagues found that problem gamblers were more likely to engage in Internet modes of gambling than non-problem gamblers.