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Responsible Gambling

For most people, online sports betting and online gambling, in general, are fun activities. That’s how it should be – it should never be looked at as a source of income. Unfortunately, it is seen that way for many problem gamblers, so the industry came up with the Responsible Gambling initiative.

It is a concept that aims to help punters and players in need. Compulsive gambling is a serious problem with online betting sites and casinos, especially among the youth. The industry is doing its best to subdue it, introducing the concept of responsible betting. It aims to prevent gambling addiction by allowing players to limit their time spent at the bookies or limiting their deposits.

Betting responsibly is governed by more than one foundation and council. In many cases, governments manage it, which shows how big the problem is. If you want to bet online, you will have to act responsibly as an adult unless you want to risk gambling addiction, which can quickly destroy your life.

 

Gambling Addiction Causes

Gambling addiction sounds like a pretty far-fetched idea to all beginners. We see it in movies, but when you start to bet online, you’re most likely thinking, “It won’t happen to me.” The problem is that it can happen to anyone, even to the most responsible gamblers.

The thrill of winning sports bets or online casino games is too big to ignore. The reality is that we’re all thrill-seekers. Online gambling is like a drug that will suck you into its vortex if you’re not careful. Playing without a strategy is all too common these days, and that’s why many gamblers fall into the trap.

It’s not the sportsbook’s fault. Bookies are trying their best to get help to those in need. All sportsbooks have some responsible gambling policy that aims to prevent gambling addiction. The thrill of winning may be too big to ignore for some players who fall into the trap of the gambler’s fallacy and lose money fast.

Chasing your losses and believing a win is just around the corner because you’ve lost several times doesn’t mean you’ll win. Gambling is random, and so are the results. Believing that you must win is a trap many fall into, and that’s exactly why programs such as Gamcare are here to help.

How to Gamble Responsibly

A few unwritten rules will help you avoid gambling addiction’s toxic claws. Punters should stick to them to prevent gambling therapy later. If this is your first time at an online bookie and you think you won’t fall into gambling addiction, you’re wrong. It’s easy to become addicted, especially when you win several times.

Below are some examples of responsible gambling you should keep in mind if you want to avoid big problems.

  • Never bet with money you can’t afford to lose: the most significant problem bettors have is betting with money they can’t afford to lose. The money market for grocery supplies, rent, or essential expenses should never be placed on sports bets or casino games. That’s one of the first telling signs of problem gambling. This money should never be in your pocket to gamble with. If you can’t keep your hands away from it, you have a problem.
  • Set limits: setting deposit and loss limits for yourself is the first step toward responsible gambling. It’s a must for new players and seasoned bettors too. It would help if you stopped as soon as you’re over the limit you’ve set for yourself. Going further means spending more, in most cases, the money you can’t afford to lose.
  • Never chase your losses: chasing your losses, believing that you must win your next bet, is a big problem. It’s a major step toward problem gambling and a sign that you need help. Responsible gambling laws use this example as one of their key points. If you can’t stop yourself from chasing your losses, you must seek help immediately.
  • Realize that gambling should be fun: getting caught in the whirlwind of online betting is easy as emotions get the best of us all. However, you should never forget that gambling should be fun, not an income source. If you keep it that way, you won’t ever need gambling therapy.

How to Determine if You Have a Gambling Problem

Determining if you have a gambling problem is a bit hard. No gambler will ever admit to having problems – that’s part of the problem itself. However, some warning signs and symptoms show you’re too deep that you should never ignore them.

Gambling stimulates the brain in the same way alcohol or drugs do. If you don’t act on time, unexpected troubles can arise.

Warning Signs and Symptoms

There are many symptoms you should note when it comes to gambling addiction. We’ve listed the most common ones below. If you notice that you exhibit a few or all, it’s time to get help and enter gambling therapy.

  • All you ever think of is gambling. You’re constantly planning how to get more money and place bets on your favorite teams;
  • Small bets don’t get you excited anymore – only big money does;
  • You’re feeling restless when you try to gamble less;
  • You’re trying to put your losses under control, but nothing works;
  • Lying to family members and friends about the extent of your losses;
  • You gamble to escape problems;
  • You lose your job, relationships, or work opportunities because of it.

What is the safest betting site? These are all very serious signs and symptoms of gambling you should be aware of. These warning signs should never be ignored – that’s a road to Hell. Instead, enter gambling therapy with a clear mind and let experts help you. Make no mistake – if you let it continue, you could be in for huge problems.

Compulsive Gambling

No gambler gets addicted in a day. It’s a process that can take a while, but with each passing day at a bookie or in an online casino, the addiction grows stronger. Psychologists have identified four key stages in the development of compulsive gambling.

  • Winning phase: this phase begins when you hit a big win for the first time. In this case, the gambler gets super-optimistic about the chances, playing more often and risking more money. It is a non-obligatory phase of compulsive gambling. Some players don’t experience it, which brings us to the second stage.
  • Losing phase: unlike the winning step, the losing phase is something all gamblers experience. It’s not a positive stage, but it is significant and pervasive. At this point, a gambler loses loads of cash which may push them into debt. It is the stage where bettors start feeling ashamed of what they’re doing, and bit by bit, they lose their relationships as well.
  • Desperation phase: during this phase, gamblers are desperate as they’ve lost all control over the situation. The debt is too much to handle, and they believe the only way is to play more and score a big win. Anxiety and restlessness appear, affecting the gambler’s physical health.
  • Hopeless phase: the last stage of compulsive gambling is called the hopeless phase. Most addicts will seek help before hitting rock bottom, but some may find themselves in this stage.

Compulsive gambling is a major problem that harms gamblers’ mental and physical health. The key is to seek help before the problem goes deeper. If you hit the hopeless phase, you most likely don’t have anything more to lose, which is why around 20% of gamblers attempt suicide at this point.

Getting Help for Problem Gambling

The key to problem gambling is preventing it in the first place with responsible gambling. However, if things have already gone south, gambling therapy can help. All players should keep in mind the responsible gambling tips we mentioned earlier. Those will help you stay within your limits and play reasonably and responsibly. Stick to them if you want to prevent the problem rather than treat it. If you cannot do so, programs such as BeGambleAware can help.

Before getting in touch with professionals, you should talk to your friends and family. Admitting that you have a problem is complex but required if you want to stop. Your loved ones will provide emotional support, one of the key factors to recovery. Tell them that you’re too deep and need their help to stop. Your friends or family can be emergency contacts you can call whenever you feel the urge to gamble.

Whenever you bet, don’t put your money down right away. Think before you bet and consider all possible outcomes. Imagine what might happen and how you will feel if you lose the bet. It can help you opt out against the stake and give yourself time to subdue the urge to bet impulsively, placing one wager after another.

If everything else fails, there’s no shame in seeking experts’ help. Seek treatment by calling professionals or contacting a betting site’s customer support team. Many offer a responsible gambling service with plenty of information on how to get help available via customer service.

Self-help gambling resources are also available online these days. Whole communities of players suffering from gambling problems are online trying to help each other, and you can easily join these groups and share your experience with players who’ll understand.

Problem Gambling Resources

If you need help to stop gambling, you should know that you’re not alone. Many special services can help you overcome the addiction, and self-help resources you can find online. The organizations you see below aim to protect gamblers in need and have already helped thousands cure their addiction.

BeGambleAware

BeGambleAware is a UK service that operates by the National Responsible Gambling Strategy. It helps confidentiality and supports those suffering from gambling addiction with numerous channels available around the clock to get in touch with.

GamCare

GamCare is another UK-based service funded by online casinos, bookmakers, and game developers. Its badge is often available in the footer of UK gaming sites for easier contact. GamCare also offers a self-assessment test that will tell you if you’re addicted and if it’s time to take action.

Gamblers Anonymous

Like Alcoholics Anonymous, Gambler’s Anonymous is a non-profit organization with an international network. You can easily find a meeting nearby or talk to someone on the 24/7 hotline for help.

The official website offers plenty of information if you prefer self-help resources more than meetings. Gamblers Anonymous often hosts responsible gambling week programs to help players learn more about the dangers of gambling and how to prevent addiction.

Problem Gambling Agencies by Country

UK

USA

Canada

Australia

New Zealand

South Africa

India

Ireland

International

How Self-Exclusion Works

Self-exclusion is a feature available in online casinos where you can ask to be self-excluded from the site for a period set by you. It’s brilliant to do if you believe your habit is becoming too big of a problem.

In most cases, you can ‘order’ self-exclusion from the Responsible Gambling page or by talking to customer support. It’s a powerful weapon in the fight against gambling addiction and should be used if you need it.

Protect Minors from Gambling

Responsible gambling programs aren’t focused on adults only. They aim to help players stop gambling compulsively and protect minors from gambling dangers. It is especially addictive to minors who rarely realize how serious the problem can get.

Minors under 18 are not allowed in most countries – some keep the bar higher at 21. That’s done on purpose and as part of the responsible gambling guidelines. Below that age, it’s the parent’s responsibility to explain the dangers of betting and gambling to children. They shouldn’t try any form of gambling until they’re 18, when they are considered adults who are fully responsible for their actions.

Gambling Operators’ Responsibility

The responsibility of each gambling operator is to let users know about the dangers of gambling. They also need to take proactive steps to prevent the habit from becoming problematic. They do it with whole pages dedicated to this problem and trained customer service agents ready to step in whenever players need help.

What to Do if You Know a Problem Gambler

If you know someone who’s a problem gambler, you need to offer a helping hand. First and foremost, try talking to them, but never be judgmental about it. These people need help, and a critical tone or saying things like “just stop” won’t help.

If it were easy for anyone to stop gambling, addiction wouldn’t exist. Instead, hear them out and recommend good, responsible gambling programs to help them get their life back on track. As mentioned earlier, gambling can be considered the same addiction category as drugs or alcohol. You need to realize that it’s tough for these people to quit.

Responsible Gambling Summary

While responsible gambling programs rarely exist, they are here to stay now. Online gambling companies understand how big the problem is and take a proactive approach to prevent minors from gambling and adults from getting in too deep.

If you believe you need help, you can easily find self-help resources online. Better yet, your favorite betting site should have material showing you more than a few responsible gambling tips and preventing things from taking the wrong turn. Look for the Responsible Gambling badge or certificate if you’re unsure where to start. A click on it should get you where you need to be so you can get professional help when everything else fails.

We Are Open to Cooperation

We at BetZillion do our best to promote the sports betting industry as a welcoming, safe, and secure space for all. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any queries and/or suggestions about supporting the responsible betting & gambling initiative. Our team members will soon reach out to your request.

 

 

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