Responsible Gambling
The biggest success in gambling online is not to win every time, but to remain in control of your gambling habits. You can have a lot of fun in playing casino games online or sports betting, but only when you play responsible. Always play responsibly, only play with money you can afford to lose and don’t spend more time than you want on gambling online. Online gambling is a game and it is important that you see it as a game.
Tips to keep your gambling safe
The following tips can help you keep your ganbling habits and spending budget under control:
- Set budget and time limits
- Don’t gamble when you’re upset or stressed
- Don’t try to win back what you’ve lost
- Take frequent breaks – move around, get some fresh air, have something to eat or a coffee
- Balance gambling with other recreational activities
- If you’re no longer having fun, stop playing
- Be careful if you drink or do drugs
- Play for fun, not to make money
Signs of a gambling addiction
Some individuals need to be careful since gambling can quickly develop into a compulsive disorder. This has nothing to do with mental strength between individuals. There are many different factors as to why someone may develop a gambling disorder. The following signs could be warning signs of a gambling disorder, according to Algamus Gambling Recovery Center:
- Obsession – Unable to Stop Gambling
- Hiding or Lying about Gambling
- Gambling Despite Consequences
- Experiencing Withdrawal Symptoms When Not Gambling
- Dysfunction in Their Daily Lives
- They Get Defensive About Gambling
- Stealing or Unlawful Behavior
- They Express Guilt or Remorse After Gambling
Warning signs
These are some of the most common warning signs according to the University of Maryland Center of Excellence on Problem Gambling:
- Spending more money than intended on gambling
- Gambling for longer periods of time than intended.
- Getting into serious financial trouble because of gambling.
- Lying to cover up gambling losses.
- Using gambling to escape personal problems and distressing feelings.
- Thinking about gambling all the time.
- Being unable to set limits.
- Gambling in spite of losing more than can be afforded.
- Problems paying bills because of gambling losses.
- Not paying bills to cover gambling losses.
- Gambling to cover losses.
- Destroying families and relationships because of gambling.
- Borrowing or stealing money from family, friends, or employers to keep on gambling.
- Experiencing poor job performance or losing a job because of gambling.
If any of these warning signs describes you or a person you know and you want to seek help, here are some gambling addiction contacts that you might help:
Problem Gambling Help Contacts (US)
National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG)
Serves as the national advocate for programs and services to assist people and families affected by problem gambling.
Gamtalk
Online support for gambling issues. A supportive community helping people with gambling issues share their experiences and ideas.
National Problem Gambling Helpline
1-800-522-4700
The network consists of 28 contact centers that provide resources and referrals for all 50 states, Canada, and the US Virgin Islands. Help is available 24/7 and is 100% confidential.
International Problem Gambling Help Contacts
Australia: 1800 858 858 or http://www.gamblinghelponline.org.au
Austria: http://www.spielsuchthilfe.at/
Belgium: SOS SPELEN: 0800 35 777, https://gokhulp.be/
Denmark: Danish Gambling Authority https://spillemyndigheden.dk/behandling
France: Adictel Prevention Addiction: contact@adictel.com 24/7 www.adictel.com/en/
Germany: Gluecksspielsucht Problem Gambling Hotline: 0800 0776611 www.gluecksspielsucht.de/
Hong Kong: Caritas A G Counselling Centre: Hotline (852) 1834 633 www.gamblercaritas.org.hk
Ireland: GambleAware Ireland: National Gambling Helpline: 1800 753 753 www.gambleaware.ie
Korea: Korea Center for Gambling Problems https://www.kcgp.or.kr
Malta: Responsible Gambling Foundation http://rgf.org.mt/
Netherlands: AGOG: National information number: 0900-2177721 www.agog.nl
New Zealand: To access immediate assistance in New Zealand call 0800 654 655 or go online to http://www.gamblinghelpline.co.nz
Norway: Hjelpelinjen Helpline: 800 800 40 www.hjelpelinjen.no
Singapore: National Council on Problem Gambling http://www.ncpg.org.sg 800 6 66866
South Africa: National Responsible Gambling Problem Gambling Counselling Line: 0800 006 008 www.responsiblegambling.co.za/
Sweden: phone, chat, SMS and email service for the whole of Sweden www.stodlinjen.se/
Switzerland: Careplay: Tel: 041 367 48 47 www.careplay.ch/
LegalGamblers.com wants to be clear and fair in all communications regarding responsible gaming. If you do find an article or text on our website that you think does not fit this policy, please contact us.
