Generally speaking: Online Gambling- A Socio-Economic Impact Assessment

Profile of the Author: Gunjan Agarwal is pursuing LLB (3 years) course from Jaipur National University, having a keen interest in Constitutional laws, IPR laws and socio-legal contemporary issues.

Gambling is a family disease. One person may be addicted but the whole family suffers.

INTRODUCTION

Gambling in India has many forms. It can be traced back to ancient times. With the advancement in technology, the modes and forms have increased. It has gained momentum in recent times, from traditional to modern methods it is prevalent among all the strata of the society. There is no specific definition as to what is gambling, it can be understood as an activity which involves investing a small amount exposed to great risk in expectation of higher returns. It has become a great source of entertainment. 

There are various forms of online gambling. One such way is by applications like Dream 11 and MPL. Other forms include online casinos, lottery, and many such similar forms. In this online means, it is difficult for the police to track it down. Most of the time they are operated over an untraceable network. Also, there is very limited data to gauge the impact it has on our society. there is no parameter to measure the harm done.

The reason which calls for the assessment is the rising concerns over the growing trend of online gambling which has serious socio-economic impacts on society. Further discussion deals with the reasons and solutions for the problem of gambling in the country, specifically via online mode.

SOCIAL IMPACTS

The social impacts of gambling are deep-rooted. They not only harm the gambler but also the family. The activity of gambling starts as a source of entertainment but later turns into a habit. The advancement in IT technology has led to the spread of gambling to a larger number of people. The element of worry is the age group it is targeting is the younger generation. With apps like Dream 11 and MPL, the younger generation has also become a part of the vicious circle of gambling.

Gambling has been a reason for the breakdown of many families. A thing started for pleasure soon becomes a burden. The debt on the head increases so much that a person has to sell even his house to pay it off. The habit turns into an addiction and ruins lives. This social issue is spreading like a virus and needs to be eliminated to save several families from being destroyed. 

The other concern is the increase in the crime rate due to gambling. People who lose in the process resort to the wrong means to pay off their debts. This leads to daylight robbery, theft, and other similar means to gather money. It has various ill effects on society. There is a great concern for the younger generation who is being inclined towards it for easy cash. It seems like a game to them which soon turns into an addiction and destroys their lives.

ECONOMIC IMPACTS

There is no doubt that gambling generates a great deal of money. But the money that is generated is illegal and thus lead to black marketing. This harms the economy. Albeit, there is a huge rollout of money but nothing reaches the government and hence does not help in economic growth rather it has a negative impact on it.

The activity of gambling discourages honest businessmen as it creates illicit competition in the market. It transfers money from the poor to reach people. It acts like a termite which is slowly eating the economy and leaving ill effects both socially and economically. The money generated does not reflect in any of the accounts and thus does not contribute to the betterment of the economy.

HEALTH ISSUES

Last but not the least, gambling also invites health troubles. Health is the biggest wealth but man often gets delusional and ignores the former to run after the latter. The addiction to online gambling can lead to phycological issues and start impacting your health. It causes emotional distress making oneself vulnerable. It causes separation from the family and more inclined towards gambling activity. It has a deep-rooted effect on mental as well as physical health.

You don’t always win a bet that’s where the worry begins. Losing a bet, not only causes financial loss but also takes a toll on a person’s health. The mental pressure of paying debt causes stress and leads to other health issues. It makes a person mentally weak leading to physical ailments such as blood pressure issues and other similar diseases.

There is no prescribed medicine for gambling addiction, it only worsens with time. More importantly due to online access, it has youngsters also as a target which is a great concern as young minds are easier to be manipulated and get caught in the clutches of these online money-making platforms. therefore, it is an alarming situation to be brought under control as soon as possible. A close watch should be kept on the activities of these platforms to ensure that no illegal activity is being done covering behind the shield of online gaming.

CONCLUSION

The reason for the increased popularity of these online gambling websites and applications is the widescale advertisement campaign. Whether it be radio or TV, an advertisement regarding investing money in the form of a game is being advertised. It draws off the attention of teenagers as well. What seems like a game, in the beginning, turns out to be an addiction that acts as a slow poison. The need of the hour is to put a restriction on online gambling platforms. 

Recent reports show that these platforms may lead to terror funding as well. Some instances show that money laundering is being done behind the shield of online gaming. The money is even better over a cricket match played on a farm in an area. Due to a lack of government regulation, there is no authenticity. Therefore, there is an urgent need to regulate online gambling platforms and put an end to these malpractices.

Disclaimer: This article is an original submission of the Author. Niti Manthan does not hold any liability arising out of this article. Kindly refer to our Terms of use or write to us in case of any concerns.

REFERENCES

1. Public health effects of gambling – debate on a conceptual model, https://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12889-019-7391-z
2. Gambling in India: A Study from the Perspective of Law and Economy, http://www.penacclaims.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Ankur-Jain.pdf
3. 5 NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF ONLINE GAMBLING ON SOCIETY, https://halifaxstreetangels.org.uk/society/five-negative-effects-of-gambling-on-society