Responsible gambling means that you are gambling just for fun and entertainment in a balanced lifestyle.
If the aim of gambling becomes to earn money, make up for previous losses, or to prove one's mastery of the game, that's where problem gambling starts.
Gambling can be of many types. You might be playing a pure game of chance such as a lottery or Bingo, or a game of skill such as Poker.
You might be playing in a casino or online. It is always hard to recognize the point where responsible gambling gives way to addictive or problem gambling.
There's an instinctive tendency in gamblers to try and get back after having suffered losses. Some players might be convinced that their skills with Poker
or other mind games are too outstanding to stop betting. Others might be waiting for their big day, having been encouraged by a few sporadic victories in their otherwise
tattered gambling career. Ego is another very powerful stimulant that prompts you to go on and on until there's nothing left to bet.
Addictive gambling leads to some devastating behavioural and circumstantial problems.
If you are an occasional, fun gambler, here are a few things you can do to make sure that your gambling habits stay responsible.
Everyone who gambles must be aware about the addictive potential of this fascinating activity. A win gives you a rush of emotions like few other things.
The expectancy and the thrill of a big win make addictive gamblers blind to the ramifications of their gambling habit.
At the end of the day, responsible gambling is about taking control of your instinctive behaviour and walk away when fun starts turning to frustration.
If the aim of gambling becomes to earn money, make up for previous losses, or to prove one's mastery of the game, that's where problem gambling starts.
Gambling can be of many types. You might be playing a pure game of chance such as a lottery or Bingo, or a game of skill such as Poker.
You might be playing in a casino or online. It is always hard to recognize the point where responsible gambling gives way to addictive or problem gambling.
There's an instinctive tendency in gamblers to try and get back after having suffered losses. Some players might be convinced that their skills with Poker
or other mind games are too outstanding to stop betting. Others might be waiting for their big day, having been encouraged by a few sporadic victories in their otherwise
tattered gambling career. Ego is another very powerful stimulant that prompts you to go on and on until there's nothing left to bet.
Addictive gambling leads to some devastating behavioural and circumstantial problems.
If you are an occasional, fun gambler, here are a few things you can do to make sure that your gambling habits stay responsible.
- Make sure that you are not spending long hours gambling online or in a casino while your family complains that you give them too little time.
- If you gamble regularly for fun, plan how much money you can afford to spend on your entertainment each month and stay within your budget.
- Have a fixed time limit in mind when you are going to play and stop playing after you've exhausted your planned game time.
- Never let losses or wins persuade you into exceeding the amount of money or time that you have allocated to the sport.
- Do not think about your next bet when you are with your family. If you find yourself daydreaming about your next game all too often, you might be on the road to gambling addiction.
- Never bet away money that you need for other things—bills, rent, education, clothing etc.
- Watch out for problem gamblers among your gambling buddies. Like other forms of addiction, addictive gambling is also acquired through bad company.
- Engage in healthy activities for entertainment and restrict gambling to just a "once-in-a-while" activity.
- Never gamble in an attempt to make money or worse, get even. In all probability, you are going to lose more money trying to make up for what you've already lost.
You'd play even more to cover the losses and an unstoppable vicious cycle would set in. - If you realize that you cannot control your compulsive gambling habits, seek professional help. Here are a few good organizations where you can get help:
BeGambleAware , Gamcare, Gamblers Anonymous
Everyone who gambles must be aware about the addictive potential of this fascinating activity. A win gives you a rush of emotions like few other things.
The expectancy and the thrill of a big win make addictive gamblers blind to the ramifications of their gambling habit.
At the end of the day, responsible gambling is about taking control of your instinctive behaviour and walk away when fun starts turning to frustration.