Gamblers using the internet urged to be wary

20:00 8th January 2009

Gambling enthusiasts are increasingly taking their hobby online and are being urged to ensure they are aware of the potential pitfalls of doing so, says a gambling insider.

Julia Mackisack, director of corporate affairs at the Gambling Commission, has called on digital gamblers to ensure that they understand the full implications of online gambling.

She states that people who use gambling websites are sometimes unaware of the terms and conditions laid down by the website, which could lead to problems.

"Before starting to gamble, people should be aware of the terms and conditions offered by individual websites and their complaints procedure," she explained.

Remote gamblers should always read the small print and make sure they are aware of their rights and obligations should they have reason to take issue with an online gambling website.

Research carried out by the Gambling Commission in October 2008 revealed that 9.3 per cent of those surveyed had participated in some form of remote gambling within the previous month.