Online gambling

The number of websites offering games of chance is booming. New ones spring up every day. Most are located in countries where legislation is less stringent than in Belgium or non-existent. What's more, Internet gambling operators are difficult to identify in the event of a problem. When you surf the Internet, you're constantly approached by advertisements for online casinos. The number of online gamblers is growing rapidly. Most of them are young people. Internet gambling is available 24 hours a day. Anyone with a connected computer can sign up and spend hours alone in front of their screen. The vast majority of online games of chance offer a demo phase: for a short time, you can play for free, with "virtual" money. This free offer trivializes gambling, baits players and arouses their curiosity.

A study by Laval University in 2005 revealed that, during this trial phase, many of the sites tested offered a rate of return higher than that of real gambling, often even exceeding 100%. This means that winnings are more frequent and greater than when the game is paid for.

We know that it's the winnings at the beginning of that hooks players and keeps them going, especially if they have a false idea of chance. The messages of congratulation or encouragement he receives only reinforce the'illusion that he can control the game and the pride of winning.

You should also know that the same study showed that even if he wins, the player has no guarantee of being paid..