What is Problem Gambling?
You probably heard this expression multiple times but never really thought about what it means. Problem gambling refers to a strong need to gamble, even if it causes consequences.
This issue can lead to financial problems, strain relationships, and harm one’s mental health. People with problem gambling may find this issue hard to stop or cut back, even when they are aware of the harmful effects.
Understanding Responsible Gambling
When it comes to responsible gambling, players should think about informed decisions, especially when betting. The best advice is to play within your limits and recognize the signs that demand a break. Here are a few rules you need to keep in mind before your next gameplay:
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Set Limits: It’s best to establish your own boundaries. To control your spending, try fixing limits on your deposit, loss, and wagering.
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Manage Time: Keep track of the time you spend in the game to avoid excessive play.
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Understand the Risks: Gambling always involves risk. Also, there’s no guarantee of winning.
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Don’t Chase Losses: A mistake most players make is trying to recover lost money by gambling even more. This approach can lead to financial trouble.
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Gamble for Fun, not Money: As already mentioned, gambling is a way to have fun and not an activity from which you can create an income.
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Recognize Signs of Problem Gambling: If gambling is affecting your personal, professional, or financial life, then you should consider help.
Signs Of Problem Gambling
Whenever problem gambling occurs, there will be a lot of signs before that. It can manifest in many ways, including:
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You tend to spend more money and time on gambling than initially intended.
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You lie about gambling habits to your friends and family.
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Chances are very high that you borrow money to gamble.
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You neglect other responsibilities due to gambling.
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You feel anxious, depressed, or frustrated when not gambling.
Get Help & Support
In case you or someone else you know is struggling with this issue, there are specialized organizations that can offer support and resources. Some of them are:
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GamCare: An organization that offers free support and counseling for those with problem gambling in the UK.
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BeGambleAware: This one offers information and support to help control gambling habits.
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Gambling Therapy: The global service is providing free online support for those who struggle with gambling addiction.
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Gamblers Anonymous: This organization gathers individuals who share their experiences to help each other recover from addiction.
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National Council on Problem Gambling: This institution offers confidential help and resources for those with gambling addiction in the US.
Self-Exclusion Tools and Resources
Many betting platforms offer self-exclusion tools that allow gamblers to take a permanent break from these activities. Some services can offer the same experience, so consider using:
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GamStop: It works only in the UK, and it’s a free self-exclusion scheme that prevents access to betting sites.
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BetBlocker: This is actually a free app that limits access to gambling platforms across multiple devices.
Protecting Minors
Gambling is an activity reserved for those older than 18 (or the legal age in your jurisdiction). We always encourage parents and guardians to use all sorts of parental control software to block access to gambling websites. Minors must avoid this kind of content, so it’s best to use tools such as:
Before You Go
We just wanted to remind you that the team at nodeposit.ai always tries to encourage gamblers to play within their means. If this activity is affecting your life in any way, make sure you seek professional help. It’s important to remember that you are not alone–support is available to help you take your control back.