Raising the stakes

This thesis aims to explore whether online gambling should be considered exploitative, making it morally wrong, and what should be done about this. Initially, the effects of online gambling on individuals, those around him, and wider society is explored. It is concluded that there are several motivations to gamble (fulfilling a deep-rooted need, money, entertainment, etc.) which give different effects, and that these are connected to addiction. The effect on individuals negatively influences family and friends, but positively influences the state institution through economical and social efforts from the gambling industry. Further, it is concluded, using three different theories of exploitation, that the way which the online gambling industry currently operates is wrong. Lastly, solutions are proposed on three different levels. The most important solutions are that individuals should try to distance themselves from gambling, local community should be strengthened through communities not constantly focusing on markets, and the state should apply a combination of nationalizing gambling and banning the marketing of it.