One of our favourite phrases here on Casinoplusbonus is ‘Gambling Entertainment’ because that is exactly how we should all look at gambling. It is not a get-rich-quick scheme. As you already know, if gambling always worked in our favour, we would not see high-street betting shops, casinos, or slot shops in countries where these gambling venues are legal. Furthermore, online gambling simply would not exist.
- Lesson Number 1: The odds are weighed in favour of gambling establishments, as they are businesses looking to make a profit.
- Lesson Number 2: Gambling is for entertainment – call it a hobby, if you will!
The House Always Wins
Yes, some people hit the big time and strike it rich when they gamble. Some win millions playing jackpots or land sizeable wins from accumulator bets on the sportsbooks. There are those brainiacs who can see patterns playing baccarat and the blackjack gurus who can mix cashback deals with a basic strategy to lower the house edge and put RTP further in their favour. However, at the end of the day, the house always wins.
The challenge: For casino players, the challenge is to beat the house. However, the idea of this article is to make sure that we give you advice on how to prevent yourself from falling into the black hole of gambling addiction while trying to beat the house.
Gambling Entertainment as a Hobby
The best way to look at gambling is as a hobby. For example, a chess player would treat chess as a hobby, and a golf player would treat golf as a hobby. The chess player may not spend as much as a golf player on equipment, but players will invest a budget into these hobbies. Maybe the chess player will hire a mentor, while a golfer will hire a coach. The same applies to other hobbies such as motor sports, mountain biking, and more. We should all have a budget and a set amount of time we can spend on each hobby. Gambling should be no different!
There is such a thing as ‘spending addiction’ when it comes to any hobby. Some shopaholics also seek help for consumerism addiction. Some people get into debt or lose their jobs because they are addicted to computer games. Another area where addictive personalities also find themselves in financial and emotional difficulty is those who trade stocks or crypto and overspend or take big risks and lose large amounts of money. As a result, there are many types of addictions out there, so gambling is not alone.
The main point is, no matter what the addiction is, the good news is that there is help out there.
How to view gambling as a hobby and not a way to make money
- Please look at gambling as a time spent to enjoy yourself and relax.
- Commit a budget you can afford to lose, so if you do have a cold streak, the loss does not upset you.
- Manage your time so you only gamble when it is not affecting your social life, family, or work.
If you do happen to land a big win while gambling, then great. However, also make sure a big win does not increase the amount of time you gamble or the amount you bet. Take the win and save it or invest it, and continue to gamble with the same budget that landed you the big win.
How to Spot Identify You May Be Developing a Gambling Addiction Problem
This is the hard part. Some players don’t realise they have a gambling problem. It can creep up on you and, in the worst-case scenarios, cause severe financial instability. Here at Casinoplusbonus, we do not want anyone who is a member of the Casinoplusbonus community to find themselves in a situation where gambling negatively affects their lives. Therefore, we have a few tips.
Signs that you, a family member or a friend may have or are developing a problem gambling habit
The signs of problem gambling below are not just for gamblers, but also family members or friends who may recognise some of these traits in someone they know who they suspect may have a gambling addiction problem.
- Chasing losses: Chasing losses when you hit a losing streak is one of the most common signs of problem gambling.
- Depositing above your usual budget to win money back is one sign.
- Increasing the size of your bets to make up for losses is another sign of problem gambling.
- Obsession: Certain signs can mean gambling is no longer a hobby and more of an obsession.
- Spending long periods thinking about gambling.
- Gambling distracts you from working or planning to gamble during breaks instead of eating properly or taking a proper rest to reboot your brain.
- You choose to gamble more and spend less time socialising, playing sports, or participating in other activities.
- Gambling to Avoid Life Issues: Quite a few people find themselves in financial difficulty because they use gambling to avoid other issues in life.
- Gambling to forget about financial worries or in the hope of paying off debt.
- Gambling to avoid dealing with life issues such as family problems or the loss of loved ones.
- Gambling because you are lonely rather than finding ways to socialise.
- Lying: If you find yourself hiding how much you are spending or lying about the amount of time you are gambling.
- Borrowing money from family or friends for gambling but making up a story, the money is for another purpose.
- Lying to friends and loved ones so you can gamble could risk already broken relationships with family and friends.
- Mood Swings: Losses are often frustrating and can cause mood swings.
- Short tempered after losing a streak with yourself or with others.
- Damaging items such as computer screens, throwing your phone, or breaking something out of frustration from losses.
- Not paying attention or fully engaging in conversations with others because your mind is on gambling.
- Sleeping problems: Stress causes sleeping problems, and gambling losses can cause stress.
- You may choose not to sleep and continue gambling to chase losses.
- Anxiety or constant worrying can cause a form of insomnia, especially if your brain cannot switch off.
- Financial Problems: Over-gambling can lead to financial problems.
- Borrowing money on credit cards or taking out loans to pay for gambling.
- Borrowing money from friends or family (as mentioned above, this can also lead to lying to friends, giving them false reasons you need the money).
- Deposits to casinos from your bank account or through other financial sources lead to struggles paying bills, rent, or food shopping.
Our advice: Set limits and stick to a bet-sizing and bankroll management strategy. Gambling ebbs and flows because of variation and probability. Just because you are on a losing streak now, you will hit a winning streak later. Let the game unfold naturally according to probability and variation. This way you can stick to gambling with amounts you can afford.
Where to Get Help For Gambling Addiction
In the six countries we cover here on the Casino Plus Bonus EN language site, there are several authorities that specialise in helping those addicted to gambling or those developing traits of problem gambling.
The six countries we focus on are:
- The UK
- Canada
- New Zealand
- South Africa
- Indiathere is list
- The Republic of Ireland
Each of these countries has domestic organisations you can get in touch with if gambling is causing a personality change or putting you into financial difficulty. There are also global non-profit organisations you can contact. They are mostly available with online gambling addiction support services with real-time live chat options so that you can chat with someone immediately.
To make life easier for you, below there is a list of not-for-profit organisations to help you in case you feel gambling is affecting your life negatively.
Anonymous chats:
If you are worried about anonymity, here are a few points that might persuade you to put your trust in these services.
- You do not have to provide a name or any personal information.
- You can be 100% honest, as the support agents on the live chats or telephone options are not there to judge you.
- All personnel you speak with are fully trained to understand your issues and to give advice on how you can move forward.
- Feel free to ask for resources where you can get help either emotionally or financially.
- All advice is free of charge – these are non for profit organisations that want to help. They are not after money in any way shape or form.
The most important point: If you do have a gambling addiction problem, remember you are not the first and not the last person to experience these issues. You are certainly not alone and help is out there.
Gambling Addiction Organisations Country-by-Country
Below each sub-title gives you a country-by-country guide where you can find support if you or a loved one has a problem gambling issue.
THE UK
The UK is one of the most active countries in the world when it comes to educating people about and supporting those with a gambling addiction problem and for families and friends who have someone close to them who has developer problem gambling traits.
GamCare
GamCare has several ways to help you, and is one of the most respected services in the UK for its research on problem gambling, preventing gambling addiction, and offering advice as well as help for problem gamblers.
- You can sign up for its self-exclusion program. When you are part of the database and self-excluded, all UK casinos and any casinos part of GamCare will not allow you to bet using real money.
- There is also a helpline with live chat so that you can get help in real-time.
- Gamcare also offers online support groups as well as counseling services.
- Whatsapp chat service
- Chat Rooms
- Telephone Services
BeGambleAware
The UK Gambling Commission, the main licensing body of the UK gambling scene, set up BeGambleAware to provide players with support and advice.
- There is a self-assessment test that asks you a number of questions to determine how much at risk you are of developing a problem gambling habit.
- You are a wealth of resources that advise you on how to gamble safely.
- BeGambleAware will also recommend where you can help if you feel you have.
- Anonymous support
- Direct telephone helpline
- Anonymous live chat
- You don’t have to provide your name for support if you don’t want
- Gambling addiction tests available
The official UKGC responsible gambling page has a fully comprehensive list of organisation in the UK that help you in case you feel you or a loved one has a problem gambling issues. Visit the UKGC Organisations that can help page for a full list of recommended problem gambling associations.
CANADA
Canada’s licensing across its provinces and territories is quite mixed. However, there are non-profit organisations that are there to help Canadian casino players find help if they believe they are developing a gambling addiction. They tend to differ from province to province and territory to territory.
Responsible Gambling Council (RGC)
The RGC is more if a hub for information to keep yourself informed on how to gamble responsibly.
- Provides advice to players on how to play for fun.
- Holds conferences covering the topic of gambling addictions
- Information and support on how to spot risky gambling behaviours.
- Provides information in where you can get help
Website: https://www.responsiblegambling.org/
Gambles Anonymous
There are several Gamblers anonymous websites across Canada.
- Offer tests with questions that could show signs that you are developing or have already developed problem gambling habits.
- Regional services for various provinces and territories
- Find local meetings in your area where people gather to talk about gambling addiction
- Phone to speak someone directly
Gamblers Anonymous Sites by Region:
- Ontario Website: https://gamblersanonymous.org/ga/
- Toronto Website: https://www.gatoronto.ca/
- Montreal/Qubec: https://gamblersanonymous.org/ga/
- British Columbia: https://www.gabc.ca/meetings
More Problem Gambling Help Sites in Canada
| Organisation | Link to Website |
|---|---|
| British Columbia Responsible & Problem Gambling Program | Website |
| Alberta Health Services | Website |
| Gambling Support BC | Website |
| Loto-Québec’s Program on Responsible Gambling | Website |
| GGTU (Formely Problem Gambling Institute of Ontario) | Website |
As Canada has so many provinces and territories, we have listed a number of other sites so you can find the right place for you to get the support you need.
NEW ZEALAND
New Zealand has no official licensing or laws for online casinos to operate in the country. However, the laws are clear. Kiwi casino players are free to play at overseas casinos. Per our online casino New Zealand guide, Casinoplusbonus only recommends online casinos with official licensing.
- Malta Gaming Authority (MGA): The authority is considered the safest option because of its strict rules and excellent player support. Almost every online casino also comes with responsible gambling tools to prevent you from over-gambling.
- Curacao eGaming Authority (CeG): This authority is still a safe option but not as strict as MGA casinos. It is improving, but not all online casinos must offer players built-in responsible gambling tools.
Which organisation can help Kiwi casino players avoid gambling addiction?
Problem Gambling Foundation (PDF) Services NZ
This service can help you by providing a wide array of gambling topics.
Some topics covered include:
- Need Help?
- Understand Gambling
- Freephone 0800 664 262 helpline
- Need Help?
- Concerned about someone?
- How to talk to someone about their gambling
- Signs of Gambling Harm
- Counselling
- Support groups
- Professional referrals
- Public health
Website: https://www.pgf.nz/
GambleAware
You can use GambleAware for self-assessment tests or the information provided on this page under ‘How to Spot Identify You May Be Developing a Gambling Addiction Problem’. GambleAware’s assessment works no matter which country you are in, as it has no IP blocks.
Responsible Gambling Council (RGC)
The RGC is more if a hub for information to keep yourself informed on how to gamble responsibly.
- Provides advice to players on how to play for fun.
- Holds conferences covering the topic of gambling addictions
- Information and support on how to spot risky gambling behaviours.
- Provides information in where you can get help
Website: https://www.responsiblegambling.org/
Gambles Anonymous
There are several Gamblers anonymous websites across Canada.
- Offer tests with questions that could show signs that you are developing or have already developed problem gambling habits.
- Regional services for various provinces and territories
- Find local meetings in your area where people gather to talk about gambling addiction
- Phone to speak someone directly
Gamblers Anonymous Sites by Region:
- Ontario Website: https://gamblersanonymous.org/ga/
- Toronto Website: https://www.gatoronto.ca/
- Montreal/Qubec: https://gamblersanonymous.org/ga/
- British Columbia: https://www.gabc.ca/meetings
More Problem Gambling Help Sites in Canada
| Organisation | Link to Website |
|---|---|
| British Columbia Responsible & Problem Gambling Program | Website |
| Alberta Health Services | Website |
| Gambling Support BC | Website |
| Loto-Québec’s Program on Responsible Gambling | Website |
| GGTU (Formely Problem Gambling Institute of Ontario) | Website |
As Canada has so many provinces and territories, we have listed a number of other sites so you can find the right place for you to get the support you need.
SOUTH AFRICA
South Africa has a growing online casino market. Thanks to SOFTSWISS, a well-regarded online casino aggregator, the insights into the growing iGaming market will have online casino operators and software providers looking become a part of this growth.
However, this will also mean online gambling entertainment will become more accessible to South African online casino players.
This great, as long as you stick to the Casinoplusbonus mottos:
- Gambling Entertainment.
- Gambling is a hobby and for gun, and not a get rich quick scheme.
Inevitably, where is gambling there will be an element of problem gambling, and South Africa is fortunately prepared to help thanks to a few organisations that are there to help you if you feel your gambling is getting out of control.
To the right (desktop readers) or below (mobile readers), there is a list of four organisations that can help you. You will also see this same table in the last section of the online casinos SA overview. Understand the market, what is available, and how you can prevent yourself from over-gambling!
Get Help for Gambling Addiction in South Africa
| Organisations | URL |
|---|---|
| Gamblers Anonymous South Africa | gamblersanonymous.org.za |
| National Responsible Gambling Programme (NRGP) | www.ngb.org.za |
| South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG) | www.sadag.org |
| SANCA (South African National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence) | www.sadag.org |
Using Responsible Gambling Tools
Honestly, one of the most helpful ways to prevent the devastating affects of problem gambling is to play at online casinos with responsible gambling tools available.
Look at the pros and cons ‘or’ customer support sections in our Casinoplusbonus reviews
In the pros and cons section of our casino reviews you will see whether an online casino offers responsible gambling tools. Without stating the obvious, in the pros section we will mention the casino features responsible gambling tools, and the cons will mention whether the casino does not offer responsible gambling tools.
What are responsible gambling tools?
- Deposit Limits: You can set daily, weekly, and monthly deposit limits.
- Key advantage: Once you reach this limit, you cannot deposit more into your casino account.
- Loss Limits: If you lose a certain amount during a session, day, week, or month, you will not be able gamble for real money until the set time period ends.
- Key advantage: You can then stay within your set budget, which keeps your gambling as a hobby as helps to prevent putting yourself under financial pressure.
- Bet Limits: You can set the maximum amount you can bet on certain games or even sports.
- Key advantage: This prevents you from chasing your losses by increasing your bets in an attempt to gain higher wins.
How useful are these tools? The financial losses caused by losing control can often lead to many of the other issues mentioned in the section above such as lying, mood swings, and anti-social behaviour. Yet, if you have set limits on your casino account, you can prevent yourself from becoming a victim of the woes that come with gambling addiction. You can read a full review on this topic by visitng our ‘how to use responsible gambling tools‘ guide
The Key Message – Enjoy Gambling Responsibly
In short, yes, gambling can be a fun pastime, provided you approach it with an attitude geared towards fun rather than profit. Knowing that the odds are against you can help keep your expectations in check and prevent you from falling into the trap of chasing losses. As with any hobby, viewing gambling as just one of your pastimes can help control the amount of time and money you spend on it. Going in with this mindset can help ensure that you remain unworried about it.
If you know—or suspect—that you or someone close to you is developing an addiction to gambling, professional help can make a difference. Various helplines and information points are available in most countries. Responsible gambling tools, such as deposit limits, loss limits, and bet limits, can be effective in preventing problem gambling.
Remember, gambling can be fun and healthy when enjoyed responsibly. By staying informed, sticking to your limits, and relying on a support system, you can have fun, avoid the slippery slope towards gambling problems, and overcome any struggles that gambling may present. If you or someone you care about might be experiencing a gambling problem, the resources listed in this article can help you get back on track.
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