Can Online Gaming Benefit your Work-life Balance?

Posted by Harry Kane on Friday, February 9, 2018

In some respects, it’s easy to demonise the online gambling industry. For all the talk of problem gambling in the UK and the need to implement more stringent regulations, however, it’s interesting to note how the government continues to benefit from the growth of this industry through a growing range of tax levies.

This not only highlights the potential conflict of interests that surrounds the marketplace, but it also suggests that there are numerous advantages synonymous with a thriving, online casino sector.

In this post, we’ll consider whether online gambling can actively boost the work-life balance of UK citizens, while asking if it’s time we changed our perception of this industry?

What Challenges are People Facing in the Modern Age?

In order to appraise the impact of online gambling on the average work-life balance, it’s first important to provide some context.

After all, a recent study has revealed that million of Brits feel overwhelmed by mounting work pressures and financial concerns, while busy social calendars are also making it difficult for citizens to relax and break away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

In fact, around two-thirds of Brits claim to feel a perpetual sense of dread, which is in turn caused by the stresses, strains and relentless nature of their everyday existences.

Work is considered to be the most common source of daily stress, followed closely by finances and the prevailing economic climate. These entities are intertwined, of course, especially with headline inflation still fixed at a five-year high of around 3% and continuing to rise at a disproportionate rate to earnings. With the cost of living rising, earnings stagnating and household incomes being squeezed, it’s little wonder that citizens are increasingly stressed and gripped by concern.

As a result of this, people are undoubtedly working harder and for longer, with around 22% of Brits struggling to cope with the additional hours that they’re forced to put in at the office. This, in turn, means that around 60% of citizens are unable to keep their lives organised, particularly with considerations such as raising kids and socialising continuing to demand their attention.

It is also interesting to note that these combined pressures are having a cumulative impact on the prevailing quality of life in the UK, with essential tasks such as chores and financial management accounting whatever potential downtime people have at their disposal. Overall, it’s easy to see why British citizens are feeling increasingly overwhelmed in the current climate, as their work-life balance continues to come under intense pressure and it becomes increasingly difficult to enjoy everyday life.

Should Online Gaming be Considered as a Positive Hobby?

At this stage, some may baulk at the notion of online gaming representing some form of solution to this issue, particularly given recent concerns about problem gambling among children and the lack of regulatory protection associated with social channels. This negates the fact that almost every hobby has the potential to become obsessive and destructive, however, particularly in terms of finances and our personal relationships.

In short, anything that costs money and time can become detrimental to our lives, so it’s wrong to discount online gaming as a hobby for this reason alone.

In fact, there is a clear argument for online gambling representing the ideal hobby in the modern age. To begin with, it is a recreational activity that’s underpinned by an increasingly diverse and accessible industry, which holds appeal for both casual and more serious gamers. Modern casino games also have a tendency to draw from various aspects of pop culture, which along with more realistic graphics and animations create a more immersive experience that provide an escape from the stresses of everyday life.

Not only this, but the rise of mobile gaming has also made it easier than ever for people to enjoy downtime while on the move. If we accept that people are spending more time at work and finding it hard to manage a seemingly never-ending to-do list, it makes sense that viable hobbies should be engaging and accessible during the daily commute (or whenever there are a few minutes to spare).

Virtual gaming and casino gambling can definitely fill such voids, without placing further pressure on citizens to tailor their lifestyle choices.

These points suggests that online gambling is well-placed to serve as an accessible hobby in 2018, both in terms of its immersive nature and innate ability to adapt to any conceivable working schedule. The question that remains, however, is whether or not online gambling and casino gameplay represents a viable choice of recreational activity, particularly given the economic climate and lack of disposable income?

This all depends on your outlook, of course, or at least the things you’ve been encouraged to believe about online gambling. From an objective perspective, there’s no doubt that the growth and diversification of this market has enhanced its appeal across a larger prospective audience, while also establishing it as a viable distraction from your daily working schedule and mounting to-do list. This has also created a wider range of more enjoyable gaming experiences, from sports betting markets to interactive casino platforms.

In terms of the addictive nature of gambling, it’s crucial that individuals take the time to understand the marketplace and assume individual responsibility for their actions. This way, you can identify the potential pitfalls prior to spending a penny, while also taking steps towards managing your bankroll and only spending a predetermined amount on this hobby each week. Such an approach can put gamblers in control of their actions online, without leaving themselves at the mercy of almost innumerable variables or an unsustainable quest for winnings.

Our Final Thoughts

Ultimately, there’s no doubt that online gaming and gambling serves as a viable and potentially rewarding hobby in the current social climate. What arguably needs to change is the prevailing perception of this pastime, as we stop seeing it as a potential evil and instead consider its benefits while also placing the onus on individuals to gamble responsibly.