Responsible Gambling Information
Online gambling can be an entertaining activity for most people. With so many gambling activities around us, however, it is possible to develop problem gambling while trying to win money. At Betnspin, we promote responsible gambling and recommend gaming operators that encourage it. We will teach you how to gamble responsibly so you can have the best gaming experience at casinos and sports betting sites.
What is Responsible Gambling?
All gamblers and gambling operators need to understand the basic principles of responsible play for the best outcomes. Responsible gambling simply means using gambling to have fun and pass time. It is all about playing for entertainment purposes. The problem comes when you use gambling as a way to make money. If you gamble responsibly, you will not risk your well-being or let your gambling behavior affect other people’s lives.
The Areas of Responsible and Safe Gambling that We Encourage
All gambling operators have a responsibility to offer a safe gaming environment to players. The same applies to iGaming software providers and all stakeholders in the online gambling sector. Everyone must comply with the basic principles of responsible play and uphold the highest standards to protect individuals and prevent players from becoming problem gamblers. With that said, our team is interested in the most important responsible gambling areas listed below.
- Prevention of underage gambling involves keeping people who have not reached the legal gambling age from playing at casinos or betting platforms.
- Protection of vulnerable people who are most likely to suffer from gambling addiction while playing casino games or betting on sports.
- Provision of a safe gambling environment by licensed gambling operators who follow all responsible gaming rules set by regulators.
- Implementation of information privacy policies to protect players’ data from prying eyes.
- Online payment protection and prevention of fraudulent and criminal behaviors.
Problem Gambling vs. Gambling Addiction
Problem gambling refers to any gambling behavior that interferes with your life. If you are affected, you will spend most of your time playing casino games or betting lots of money on sports. Do you find yourself gambling regularly, chasing your losses, or playing even when there are serious consequences? If yes, chances are you have a gambling problem.
Gambling addiction is also known as pathological gambling or compulsive gambling. Addictive behavior is usually associated with personality disorders, bipolar disorder, suicide attempts, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), substance use disorders, and other addictions. The known risk factors are generally genetic, biological, and environmental.
The main difference is that problem gambling is somewhat controllable, while gambling addiction is extremely difficult to control. In fact, gambling addiction is increasingly becoming a public health issue, just like substance use. Those who suffer from an addiction cannot control the urge to gamble even when the negative consequences are evident.
What are the Signs of a Gambling Problem?
Gambling is considered a hidden addiction because it is not always easy to notice when it becomes problematic. Even problem gamblers may not know when their habits become harmful. However, you can notice problem gambling by looking at the following warning signs:
Inability to Stop Gambling
Problem gambling is quite similar to substance abuse in terms of the effects it has on your brain. Getting started is quite easy, but there comes a time when you cannot control your behavior. You should take action if you are unable to stop gambling.
Chasing Losses
Problem gamblers cannot withstand the idea of losing money to a gambling operator. As a result, they chase losses even after spending a lot of money. This behavior entails depositing more funds and playing relentlessly, hoping to recover the lost amount.
Risking Relationships and Work
One of the key characteristics of a gambling problem is that it has negative consequences for you or the people you love. For instance, failing to support your children because of gambling can ruin family relationships. You also have a problem if you avoid work to gamble.
Lying to Family and Friends
Denial is another warning sign you should watch out for as a gambler. Do you often find yourself lying to family members or friends about your gambling activity? If you have done it, then you are probably suffering from a gambling problem.
Borrowing Money to Gamble
Some gamblers end up using all of their money on gambling platforms. Others even go ahead and borrow more money from family and friends to keep gambling. This is a clear sign that your gambling habits are worsening.
What Causes Problem Gambling
You need to understand the causes of a problem to know how to address it. Problem gambling can develop due to several factors. According to the Responsible Gambling Council (RGC), it can be caused by age, environmental, cultural, psychological, biological, and socioeconomic factors. Take a look below.
Environmental Factors
The environment you live in can contribute to your becoming a problem gambler. For instance, you are likely to gamble more if there are many gamblers and gambling venues in your community. Another problem arises if the gambling environment is not regulated.
Age
Teenagers, young adults, and middle-aged people are more likely to become compulsive gamblers than other groups. They also tend to engage in substance use and other harmful habits. This means they can act impulsively without making rational decisions.
Cultural Factors
Culture plays an important role in influencing your values. If you come from a community where gambling is a popular pastime, you may have difficulty noticing a problem. So, you are likely to develop gambling problems without even knowing it.
Psychological Factors
Mental health problems, including those caused by substance use, can easily lead to problem gambling. As mentioned earlier, certain brain disorders can cause pathological gambling. They can increase the risk of developing a gambling addiction over time.
Biological Factors
Some people are genetically predisposed to impulsivity. They have an underactive brain reward system or poorly developed brain regions that take part in decision-making. Such people can develop problem gambling faster than those with normal brain development.
Socioeconomic Status
Poor or lower socioeconomic status is associated with problem gambling. Simply put, people with financial problems try to improve their situation by spending more money on gambling than the rest of the population. Many of them eventually end up making more losses.
Myths and Facts about Gambling Problems
Myth: You can help problem gamblers by taking care of their debts.
Fact: Only the rational decisions of problem gamblers can get them out of debt.
Myth: You must gamble frequently to become a problem gambler.
Fact: You can develop problem gambling even without gambling regularly.
Myth: People develop problem gambling because they are irresponsible.
Fact: Even the most responsible people in society can become problem gamblers.
Myth: Problem gambling is not an issue if you have enough funds.
Fact: Problem gambling can be devastating even if you are rich.
Myth: Problem gambling affects the gambler alone.
Fact: The actions of problem gamblers also affect the people around them.
How to Combat Problem Gambling
There is a solution if you develop a problem with gambling. From this point on, we will teach you how to deal with gambling-related problems and even prevent them before they happen. Here is a summary of the steps you need to take.
1
The first step is to identify the signs we’ve mentioned earlier in this guide.
2
Take preventive measures to minimize the risk of developing a gambling problem.
3
Read responsible gambling resources to learn how to play safely.
4
Seek help from professionals and support groups if the problem persists.
How Problem Gambling Affects Other Lives
Problem gambling affects not only you but also your family and friends. Suppose you are the breadwinner and you have spent every single coin on gambling. This can lead to financial issues with your partner, children, or extended family. Problem gambling can also lead to poor work performance and job loss, making it difficult to meet your family obligations. Moreover, you may not have the time to socialize with your family and friends.
Problem Gambling Prevention
Problem gambling prevention and responsible play are important if you want to enjoy your time at casinos and sportsbooks. You need to play safely and consider the individuals who might be affected by your actions. Consider the following steps to prevent problem gambling.
- Stay away from people who can influence you to gamble.
- Cut access to gambling platforms if you notice the bad signs.
- Do not use gambling as a source of income.
- Avoid substance abuse and situations that can lead to depression, stress, or anxiety.
- Choose gambling operators that promote responsible gambling.
- Only play with the money you have.
Tips on How to Gamble Responsibly
You can play online and have fun without developing a gambling problem if you practice responsible play. The most important thing is to know what you need to do. Here are some helpful tips if you want to play responsibly.
- Set Limits: Set personal limits regarding the amount you want to deposit and spend.
- Time Limits: Create session limits to avoid playing too much.
- Budget: Plan and spend the amount you are comfortable losing.
- Don’t Chase Losses: Avoid trying to recover if you lose.
- Take a Break: Rest for a while and then resume when you’re ready.
- Self-Exclusion: Join self-exclusion programs to stay away from gambling platforms.
- Alternatives: Find alternatives to gambling as you take your break.
Final Thoughts
Responsible gambling is the key to having fun at online casinos and other gambling platforms. That is why we only recommend joining gambling sites that promote responsible gaming. You should take advantage of the tips presented here to avoid developing a gambling problem at all costs. Remember that prevention is always preferable to cure.
If the situation is not good, you can tell a friend, contact a mental health professional, go to a Gamblers Anonymous meeting, or try other treatment options. Above all, you should avoid any gambling activity that disrupts your normal life. Check out our responsible gambling resources below for more information.
References
- The Science Behind Gambling
- ResponsiblePlay.org
- Prevention Action Alliance
- American Psychiatric Association (2013). Substance-Related and Addictive Disorders. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5, 978-08.