RESPONSIBLE GAMBLING

AVOIDING PROBLEM GAMBLING AND ADDICTION – THIS IS WHAT YOU CAN DO

If you don’t notice the signs in time, you might already be in too deep. The first step towards recovering from gambling addiction, can be done by acknowledging you have a problem in the first place. After all, nobody is going to help you if you don’t want to be helped, whether we are talking about yourself or someone in your direct circle of acquaintances. In this section of our responsible gambling guide, we will go over the psychological aspects of gambling addiction.

Being aware of how problem gambling affects a person, allows you to figure out whether you can find these symptoms within your own behaviour. If you already suspect you might have a gambling problem, it is important that when reading this section you are being completely honest with yourself.

In case you might suspect a relative or friend is suffering from problem gambling, this might be a good place to learn more about their condition.

HOW TO RECOGNISE SIGNS OF PROBLEM GAMBLING

The problem with online games and the addiction to them is, that the symptoms may not always be particularly clear. Should you suspect one of your close relatives to suffer from problem gambling, it might not be as easy to spot as one might think.

In contrast to alcoholism where it can be clear that the person has a problem, problem gambling can be much harder to detect and can go unnoticed for longer periods of time. If you are suffering from gambling addiction yourself, it is important that you are being honest with yourself. To start off and take the first step, you should contact someone who is able to help you.

There are many different signs to problem gambling, but you might not be aware of all of them at this point in time. This is why you should pay extra attention when reading this section and reflect back on how these points of interest relate to your everyday life and functioning.

PLEASE KEEP A CLOSE EYE ON THE FOLLOWING POINTS:

• Problem gambling comes with different mental and physical symptoms
• Most people who suffer from problem gambling have lost control of their finances or are already in inexplicable debt.
• Problem gambling can easily be disguised or confused for stress or depression symptoms.
• If you notice any of these initial red flags, you should seek help immediately.

PSYCHOLOGICAL SYMPTOMS OF GAMBLING ADDICTION

There are a number of mental symptoms to look out for if you are in doubt whether or not you suffer from problem gambling.

• Pay attention to the following mental symptoms:
• Depression
• Suicidal thoughts
• Restlessness
• Anxiety
• Insomnia
• Trouble concentrating
• Sudden mood swings

If you suffer from several of these symptoms at the same time, there is a very high chances that there are physical symptoms that come paired with your psychological problems. If any of the symptoms below sound familiar, as well as the symptoms above, there is a substantial chance you might suffer from a gambling addiction.

PHYSICAL SYMPTOMS OF PROBLEM GAMBLING

If the mental symptoms of problem gambling described in the above section look familiar to you, you might want to look into the physical symptoms described in this section. Often mental ailments come paired with physical conditions at the same time, and problem gambling is no exception.

• Pay attention to the following physical symptoms:
• Feeling stressed
• Weakened immune system
• Excessive sweating
• Stomach and muscle aches
• Recurring headaches
• Elevated heart rate or palpitations

These physical symptoms are all indications that the body is under heavy pressure or stress. Listen carefully to what your body needs if you notice any of the symptoms described above. This applies regardless of whether you think you’re suffering from problem gambling or gambling addiction.

If your body is expressing one or more of the described symptoms, it is trying to tell you that it needs help.

BEHAVIORAL CHANGES AND SYMPTOMS IN GAMBLING ADDICTION

The last type of symptoms that might surface when one is suffering from problem gambling or addiction are significant changes in behaviour.

PLEASE PAY ATTENTION TO THE FOLLOWING BEHAVIOUR CHANGES:

• Mental absence
• Sudden impulsive behaviour
• Social isolation
• Untrustworthiness, breaking promises
• Lack of general overview or responsibility
• Easily agitated or irritated
• Coming across as indecisive or problems making decisions
• Problems explaining oneself

All of these symptoms have the possibility to influence you and your surroundings in a negative way. This rings especially true to the people closest to you; your friends and family.

DIFFERENT TYPES OF PROBLEM GAMBLING AND GAMBLING ADDICTION

There are different types of online casino games, therefore problem gambling and gambling addiction can manifest itself in different forms. However, the common denominator is quintessentially the same and the symptoms described in this section apply regardless of the type of game you are depend on.

Games of chance are the first type of games described here that one might be addicted to.

These games do not involve any skills or knowledge in order to win and solely rely upon chance or RNG (Random Number Generator) to determine whether you win or not.  Games that fall in category are predominantly slot machines, scratch cards and all variations of roulette.

Skill-based games are the second type of game we will take a closer look at. These games are characterised by the implementation of strategy and is subjective to a learning curve. Players who practice skill-based games have the ability to get better at them by continuously playing and thus increasing their winnings. Some examples of skill-based casino games are poker, sports betting and chess.

Skill-based games are also more common among young adults between 18 and 35 years.

Easily available games can also be classified as a “type” of game. Think about slot machines in pub, claw machine or the coin machine on the fun fair. Readily available games make it harder to avoid gambling at all, because a problem gambling sufferer cannot escape them. Research about gambling dependency has shown that there is a comparison between game availability and the risk of addiction

Fast versus Slow Pace is yet another factor of what might make a game attractive to problem gamblers. The faster a game functions, the more excitement and thrill it will give the players, as a way of instant gratification. Among fast-paced games you might find poker and sports betting, while slow-paced games are Lottery games and Bingo games.

The last factor to influence gambling addiction is simply personal gain. Players gamble in the hopes of landing a big win and making quick money in a matter of seconds. This pursuit of massive amounts of (usually) unobtainable cash is the main contributor to why people might suffer from gambling addiction.

HOW TO DETECT GAMBLING ADDICTION IN YOUR RELATIVES

As described in the section above, the most noticeable signs of gambling addiction can be seen in sudden changes of behaviour. These are the most important factors to keep an eye on as they never go unnoticed, especially when displayed by a close relative or friend.

If you have a feeling or suspicion a close relative of yours might be suffering from problem gambling, it is important to keep an eye on the signs described in this section. Being able to notice behavioral changes in the victim might come easy for some, especially if you know them well. However, for some people it might be harder to detect behavioral changes in relatives, especially if they live outside your direct neighbourhood or you see them less often that you would like to.

In order to make correct assumptions about someone’s behaviour and possible gambling addiction, you need a strong point of reference. Reference points will help you put signs and symptoms into perspective, preventing you from jumping the gun, as so to speak.

HOW TO RECOGNISE SIGNS OF PROBLEM GAMBLING AND ADDICTION

When it comes down to gambling addiction, is can be very damaging for all parties involved. Although it may be hard, it is important to talk about the topic and address and existing issues. Like most addictions and social issues, tackling the problem might be hard because gambling addiction is a taboo for most.

As the gambling addict: If you are the person in question to suffer from problem gambling, it is important you seek out some you can trust. Speaking to someone you can take into utmost confidence is important if you want to take the first step towards getting better. This will give you a sense of security and safety that you are being taken seriously and can progress towards getting rid of your addiction. Think of a family member or a close friend and approach them.

You will find that realising you do not have to fight this battle alone a relief. In addition, the person will also give you a different perspective by giving their opinion, allowing you to see things from a new angle. You might even find that talking with a person you can trust, might lighten the weight on your shoulders and makes the path towards recovery seem less daunting.

While your confidant might be inclined to give their honest opinion, something as hard and painful as it might be, keep in mind that your loved ones always wish the best for you. You might hear things or be confronted with facts you don’t like to hear at first, but it is one step closer in getting better. Always listen to what your loved ones have to say, their advice usually rings true in the end.

If you have a relative that suffers from gambling addiction: If you are on the other side and you have a relative you suspect might be suffering from problem gambling, it can also be very difficult. Here we will describe two scenarios that are most likely to happen and how you can deal with them in the best way.

A RELATIVE APPROACHES YOU AND COMES CLEAN ABOUT THEIR PROBLEMS WITH GAMBLING.

First of all you will need to understand that it probably took them a lot of courage and strength to approach you and tell you about their problems. It also shows you that they put massive amounts of trust and faith in you. You have been chosen by them to help and be a person they can take into confidence.

Here it is of utmost importance you focus on listening what they have to say so they feel heard and be more inclined to take the next step in the healing process. If necessary, you can offer to seek help with them or attend any therapy sessions together.

You have a strong suspicion or evidence that your relative struggles with gambling addiction. This scenario requires a lot more careful approach, since you don’t want to upset your relative or friend. If you are dealing with a person who is in denial or has not admitted to having a problem, it can be very difficult to sit this person down and address the issues.

Most of the time, when a person has not admitted to having a problem, they are already under severe amounts of stress and likely already in substantial amounts of debts. To deny that they have a problem, shields them from the reality of their situation. If you have decided to confront this person and give them the wake up call they need, it important you do so in a calm and gentle manner. Like stated above, the person is likely to be in a state of anxiety due to their gambling problem and setting an aggressive or confrontational tone might agitate the victim.

Instead, be mild-mannered and gentle with them, display to them you wish to help them. Your relative or friend needs to know you are acting out of love and care for them and not out of aggression towards their behaviour. That way, there is a greater chance that they will agree to seek help.

However, even when approaching them with care about this sensitive topic, you can still expect to be met with some heavy emotions. Especially when they have been struggling alone for a while and you manage to hit a nerve in them.

If you suspect the victim is beyond help of friends and family, it is important that you call a gambling addiction support line for further assistance. At the end of this article, we will list several sources you can contact when you or a relative is in need of help.

RISK FACTORS

Studies have found that some people have a higher risk in developing a gambling addiction than others. There are many factors to consider but the most common myth is believed to be in people who tend to have an addictive personality. However, a research paper in the Scientific American confirms with evidence that no particular personality type leads to a gambling addiction and a combination of traits can lead to addiction.

CHARACTERISTICS OF PEOPLE WITH HIGH RISK OF DEVELOPING A GAMBLING ADDICTION

In this section, we’ll talk about the traits in people that put them at a higher risk in developing a gambling problem. The following is a list of contributing factors that if left unchecked, could develop in a gambling addiction.

RELATED TO PEOPLE WITH ADDICTIONS

Numerous studies have concluded that genetic makeup has a significant role in developing any sort of addiction. Having a family member struggling from an addiction puts an individual at a higher risk in developing an addiction, however, genetic potential alone is no guarantee that a person will also suffer from an addiction.

MENTAL HEALTH DISORDERS

Some people turn to gambling as a means to get away from reality and find solace in playing casino games or games of chance, especially from the comfort of their own home. People who suffer from anxiety should steer away from gambling due to the fact that it might be a coping mechanism to deal with their state of mind as it defeats the purpose of gambling being a recreational form of entertainment.

OBSESSIVE AND COMPULSIVE TRAITS

Gambling addictions can develop when a person has little to no control over impulses and this can be a detrimental factor. Gambling turns problematic when a compulsion or sudden urge to play casino games is formed over a period of time as opposed to a single experience. The worst thing for a gambler, as explained in the sections above, is to try recover lost bets by placing larger and more frequent bets, resulting in an obsession to regain back lost bets.

INABILITY TO REGULATE BEHAVIOUR

Individuals with an inability to regulate certain behaviours, thoughts and emotions are at a higher risk of developing a gambling addiction. Studies have shows that the inability to regulate behaviour around the anticipation of receiving a reward is strongly linked to the development of addiction. This means that when a player cannot control emotions relating to a losing bet, there is a higher tendency to chase lost bets which in turn can develop into problem gambling.

RISK FACTORS THAT CAN DEVELOP IN A GAMBLING ADDICTION

There are certain risk factors that if left unchecked or are not monitored, can develop into a gambling addiction. The list below includes factors that need to be considered to avoid problematic gambling and if you or a loved one are showing some of the following traits, it would be wise to take a step back from gambling:

• False perception of gambling due to an early big win.
• Ease of access to gambling portals
• Unaware of the true odds of winning
• No accountability for wins or losses
• Going through a life crisis or big life changes, such as change in jobs, divorce or loss of a loved one
• Tendency to get bored or lonely
• Have a history of impulsiveness or risk-taking behaviour
• Have financial problems
• Lack of interests or hobbies
• Have a history of mental health problems, particularly depression and anxiety
• Have been abused or traumatized
• Family member with a history of addictions

The more of the above factors that apply to the person, the higher it is to develop a gambling addiction. If you take everything on this page into consideration and put the proper controls in place to monitor your gaming activity, you’ll be less likely to suffer from problem gambling.

GETTING HELP FOR GAMBLING ADDICTION

The most important thing when it comes down to problem gambling is to be true to yourself and to how you’re feeling. As explained in the sections above, gambling affects the general mood of the gambler, the ability to think of anything else but gambling, relationships, the financial situation and work, amongst other things. Recognition is the first step in seeking help and you should keep in mind that there are numerous institutions and bodies in the UK that are dedicated in helping gamblers overcome their addiction. There is absolutely no shame in seeking help about an addiction and in this section, we’ll be including all the places you can turn to when looking for a helping hand and ways to overcome the addiction.

GAMBLING ADDICTION TREATMENTS

There are many ways to overcome a gambling addiction and while some people take it upon themselves to address the problem, it’s too much to handle for others. Any addiction can be overwhelming and knowing that there are people and dedicated bodies available to help is the most reassuring feeling to those suffering from problem gambling.

The first step in the path of course correction is accepting that a problem is present and you’re never alone. In this section, we’ll go through all the treatments and institutions available that are available to help problem gamblers get their life back on track.

BEGAMBLEAWARE

This is the most recognised institution dedicated to problem gambling in the UK. Problem gamblers will find all sorts of help on the site which helps clarify the behaviour of people with with gambling problems on many levels, how it affects friends and loved ones and tips on how to stay safe, whether gambling online or at a land-based casino.

Problem gambling has been around for decades and if you’re looking for in-depth information on how to stay safe and steer away from temptation, you’ll find everything you need in the ‘Safer Gambling’ section. Like everything in life, it’s essential to maintain control of situations and the more you know how you can protect yourself through self exclusion and other measures, the easier it is to take control and maintain it.

GAMCARE NATIONAL HELPLINE

The national gambling helpline is 0808 8020 133 and can be reached any time of the day, seven days a week. The support staff encourage problem gamblers to pick up the phone and chat about anything that gambling has put them through with the option of staying completely anonymous. The experienced and highly trained staff have been dealing with gambling related issues for decades and problem gamblers are guaranteed to find all the help they need. Help is only a phone call away.

GAMCARE NETLINE – LIVE CHAT

Netline is a live chat service which is dedicated to people dealing with a gambling problem who prefer to seek help through the power of a keyboard as opposed to the traditional methods. It offers information and emotional support across Great Britain in total confidentiality. Netline can be accessed through any mobile phone or tablet too and it’s incredibly comforting knowing that help is only a few taps away. Besides all the help from your advisor, you’ll also receive reading material that can be accessed anytime.

To start using Netline, simply follow this link and click on the yellow box. This will promptly open a safe and secure chat box where you’ll be in direct contact with your advisor in total confidentiality. NetLine is  available from 8am and Midnight, seven days a week but if you’re having trouble using the service, you can call an agent on 0808 8020 133.

If you are in a crisis and the NetLine or the Helpline is unavailavble, please contanrt the Samaritans on 116 123 (UK and ROI). In an emergency, always dial 999.

You can rest assured that NetLine will respect your confidentiality, however, there are some instances where safety is a concern and NetLine will need to seek help if:

• You ask for it directly
• Your life or someone else’s life is in danger
• You’re being hurt in any way by a person of trust, such as a friend or partner
• You confess of hurting others

The beauty of NetLine is that it can be used as frequently as needed and there is absolutely no limit on the help that you require. Some NetLines users might need get in touch with an advisor in a crisis but others might need more frequent to kick their gambling problem. It all depends on the person and their needs. The following is a testimonial to the work of NetLine Advisors from a problem gambler who managed to turn his life around with the support he received:

“Just wanted to thank each one of you for all the help and advice during my journey dealing with problem gambling. You all honestly saved my life during early stages of my recovery and the support and time spend listening to me on the NetLine is much appreciated. Thank you for showing me the way to safer and brighter direction of my life.”