Gambling is fun. There’s no doubt about it. But when the fun stops, STOP.
There was gambling when the first caveman turned to the next caveman and said:
“I bet you two mammoth teeth you can’t ride that saber tooth for more than a minute.”
Horrible metaphors aside, we are committed to responsible gambling. This means that we see gambling as a form of entertainment and that we pay for the game and the experience, but not necessarily for the winnings. Enjoy the game, the excitement and the occasional hit, but be aware that in the long run it’s always the house that wins.
And winning is part of the thrill of gambling. And the thrill and excitement of winning can be addictive. Gambling becomes a problem when people stop gambling for fun and it becomes a compulsion, often to the detriment of their lives and those around them.
It is impossible to say exactly what a problem gambler is, it varies from person to person. Be aware of your behavior and of any changes that occur. More importantly, be aware of changes in the behavior of friends who may themselves have an addiction. Help if you can.
General rules for responsible gambling are as follows:
- Set a limit: Limit yourself to the amount of money you can spend on gambling and no more. Only gamble what you are prepared to lose. If you find yourself exceeding your budget again and again, see points 2 and 3.
- Talk to your family and friends: they are your biggest support group and are likely to notice a change in your personality and your gambling habits.
- Talk to the staff at your online casino Nowadays, online casinos are more regulated and cautious than land-based casinos – they have to be or they will be shut down. If you find you’re spending more than you should, talk to their staff and ask them to set a limit or freeze your account for a while. All good casinos will do exactly as you ask. It helps to open up communication with the staff who will start looking at your habits and noticing dramatic changes that could be signs of abuse. They don’t want addicts any more than you do. It’s bad for the industry, it’s bad for business and it’s bad for you.
- Call for help: if you can’t talk to friends or you’re not sure if you or someone else has developed a gambling addiction, call one of the many groups and foundations that can help you. They have extensive experience with problem gamblers and will be able to set you straight one way or another.