Responsible gambling

Playing at a casino can be fun, and that's okay. But what if your hobby has gone too far? What if every gambling session is a harbinger of trouble? Then, it's time for you to think about responsible gambling and making quick decisions. Let's talk about what it is and what you need to do.

What is responsible gambling?

Now, it is time to discuss the term “responsible gambling.” This practice includes several activities, such as avoiding impulsiveness, playing with a limited amount of money, often avoiding large bets, and avoiding certain games and durations. In other words, it is a set of procedures for dealing with potential dependencies rather than having them govern you. It is important for your wallet, mental state, and body.

Signs of gambling addiction

Identifying signs of gambling addiction can be harder than it seems, as they develop gradually. This is why addressing them takes so much time. We’ve outlined the key signs and features associated with gambling addiction. It will be easier to compare your emotional and physical state to recognize when something isn’t quite right.

  • 🚩 Obsession with gambling

    It’s hard to pinpoint the moment when a harmless interest in gambling turns into an obsession. A gradual shift in priorities and perception of reality can dull your awareness. Here are the key signs that something may be off:

    1. Spending excessive time thinking about gambling.
    2. Missing work, school, or social events to gamble.
    3. Neglecting responsibilities at home or with family.
    4. Feeling restless when not gambling.
    5. Attempting to chase losses by gambling more.

    Consider these symptoms like the first rays of sunlight that can blind you at any moment. Try to recognize their danger and seek help, or begin to tackle the growing dependency on your own. It’s essential not to let negative trends overpower your will.

  • 🚩 Can’t stop gamble

    This sign is more obvious and even painful. When addiction begins to take hold, you realize that you can’t just stop playing. It’s when gambling has become an obsession, literally. You may tell yourself not to play, yet still find yourself opening up your favorite slots or roulette. The financial and time limits you set are broken. This inability to control the urge to gamble can be seen as the first stage of addiction.

  • 🚩 Gamble for the happiness

    For some people, gambling addiction becomes the only way to experience positive emotions. They feel euphoria, relaxation, and emotional satisfaction by spinning the reels and placing bets. Here are the key aspects that characterize this emotional state:

    1. Gambling to alleviate stress or sadness.
    2. Using gambling to escape from personal or financial issues.
    3. Feeling excitement or joy only while gambling.
    4. Struggling to feel content without gambling.
    5. Relying on gambling as a primary leisure activity.

    As with alcoholism or drug addiction, the level of gambling dependency builds up gradually. The problem is that time spent away from their favorite games becomes torturous. In particularly severe cases, people fall into depression, seek constant gambling satisfaction, and may harm themselves both emotionally and physically.

  • 🚩 Break the law to gamble

    This is one of the most dangerous signs of gambling addiction. When casino games become the meaning of a person’s life, theft, threats, extortion, manipulation, and scheming scams become the top priorities for an addicted individual. The line between right and wrong blurs before their eyes, and achieving gambling goals by any means starts to feel logical. At this stage, it’s crucial to seek support from family and close friends to completely remove oneself from the gambling world and gain the chance to reduce dependency levels.

  • 🚩 Financial problems

    The best way to identify gambling addiction is to audit the financial activity of a particular gambler. Here are the key signs by which it can be determined that an individual has a serious addiction:

    1. Using credit cards or loans to fund gambling.
    2. Selling personal belongings to continue gambling.
    3. Borrowing money from friends or family..
    4. Losing essential funds, such as rent or utility money.
    5. Accumulating debt or filing for bankruptcy.

    The problem can become even more significant if the gambler starts borrowing money uncontrollably, exceeding the monthly earnings limit, and losing track of the money lost. In such a situation, even declaring bankruptcy will not be enough.

  • 🚩 Trying to hide gambling problems

    There’s nothing worse than trying to hide and ignore a gambling addiction. A person may start to sense emotional instability but refuse to believe the problem is serious. At this stage, ignoring and concealing the symptoms only makes things worse. When the level of gambling addiction becomes high, it can have an avalanche-like effect that may destroy family, career, or relationships with loved ones.

  • 🚩 Denying that it is a problem

    The only thing worse than hiding the problem is denying it. It’s like being an alcoholic, downing one bottle of whiskey after another, and telling everyone you can quit the habit anytime. Aggressively denying the problem doesn’t make it any less real or dangerous. This is why people with addictions need enforced prevention measures and complete restrictions on all gambling activities.

  • 🚩 Excessive mood swings

    Here is another clear sign that something is wrong with the gambler. One minor win can bring such people hysterical euphoria, while an unsuccessful spin will make them cry or hit the computer screen with their heads. Sharp jumps in emotions and shifts in behavioral patterns indicate serious problems and the need to isolate the gambler from all games.

How to gamble responsibly

Talking about responsibility and self-control isn’t the same as actually trying to put it into practice. However, a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Here are simple yet highly effective practices that allow gamblers to keep their addictions and risky behaviors in check.

Set a budget

Every gambler needs to set financial limits and stick to them. Regardless of the outcome of each session, you should stop and take stock of your current situation. The problem is that most people see gambling as a chance to make money or solve their issues. That’s why they should at least determine how quickly and in what amounts they’re willing to lose money. If the monthly amount is minimal, it won’t impact their overall financial and emotional well-being.

Take breaks

No boxing match can last 24 hours, as it would inevitably lead to the athletes' collapse. The same applies to gambling. You can’t (and shouldn’t) play at all costs, collapsing under the table from exhaustion. Only play when you’re well-rested, in a good mood, and can focus. Fatigue and drowsiness are warning signs, leading to money loss and the development of a gambling addiction.

Don't try to chase your losses

Don't turn gambling into a constant race for losses. They are inevitable if you want to win constantly. Even under ideal conditions, your percentage of wins and losses will be equal. Think of gambling as a way to have a good time, not an attempt to earn your money back. The whole point of gambling is spontaneous wins and positive emotions received in the process.

Don’t gamble under alcohol or other substances

Alcohol is not your friend and never has been. It tastes unpleasant, poisons your body, and clouds your mind. Many people mistakenly think they just need a couple of sips to relax. They start their favorite games and drink; moments later, they find the empty bottle. Their thoughts are foggy, and their actions erratic. By morning, they realize all their money is gone. That’s why you should say no to alcohol and gambling in an altered state. It’s a road to nowhere.

Be aware of the odds

As a gambler, you need to understand the odds and chances of winning in a given game. This knowledge will give you a realistic sense of what you can expect from each gambling session. Let’s say you have a ten-in-one-hundred chance of winning. Knowing this probability can motivate you to hold onto your money and play purely for enjoyment. What’s the point of spending a fortune on a bet unlikely to pay off?

Stop gambling when you are getting emotional

Are you ready to smash everything in sight over losing a few dollars? Then it’s time to say stop to gambling during emotional turbulence. Don’t play when you’re tired, angry, confused, or overly excited. Any deviation from a calm state is a risk for problems. Your goal should be to keep a typical gambling session balanced and reduce the risks.

Find help if you struggle with gambling

Realizing the inability to cope with a gambling addiction can be humiliating for some. At the same time, you should try to think logically. Someone else should step in if you can’t handle the problem yourself. Think of outside help as an invasive procedure that can’t happen without surgeons and clinic staff. This perspective might make it easier for you to trust others.

Where to get professional help

Recognizing a gambling addiction is the first step toward overcoming it. However, gamblers may need professional help, advice, or some other form of support. So, who should they turn to? There are many organizations where gamblers can receive qualified assistance. Here are a few of them.

BeGambleAware

Social media: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram Website: BeGambleAware
This is a well-known British initiative that offers support and information for struggling gamblers to break free of gambling addiction. The organization also offers several self-exclusion tools for those who cannot beat their addiction alone.

Gordon Moody

Social media: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram Email: [email protected] Website: Gordon Moody
This association has been helping and counseling people who suffer from gambling addictions for many decades and even treating them. Gordon Moody is here to be your beacon toward emotional freedom if you need therapeutic support, information, or emotional guidance.

Gambler’s Help

Online chat: Counselling Website: Gambler’s Help
Gamblers Help is a 100% free and confidential service for those who are concerned about their own or another’s gambling. This service provides counseling, financial advice, and support for people in crisis, with financial problems, or dealing with gambling addiction.

Summary

It's time to face your demons! Fight back and say, "I'm ready to accept outside help!" Ask for help and start moving towards healthy gambling. Let it be your side hobby and not an addiction. Take care of yourself! There is no shame in letting someone help you.