Young gamers in South-East Asia, including India, face a threat from criminals who are using online casinos to make online gambling appealing to them. A report released by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime in Bangkok, Thailand, highlights the risk posed by the addictive nature of online gaming combined with its easy mobile access.
The report emphasizes the increasing overlap between online gaming and online gambling, creating a dangerous situation for young users. Criminals are taking advantage of design features that blur the distinction between the two, making the crime more enticing. The convergence of these sectors poses a significant risk to vulnerable individuals.
Organized crime in the region has evolved into a sophisticated transnational criminal economy that poses challenges to law enforcement. Criminal groups are now operating across multiple illicit markets simultaneously, utilizing interconnected networks for various illegal activities. The report also sheds light on the shift towards selling services rather than physical goods, making it harder to trace criminal activities.
