Responsible Gaming
Gambling should always be a fun activity, however, a lot of people become victims of this addiction. Up to 5% of the players in different countries may develop excessive game playing. Thus, safety and responsible gaming should become the primary concern for both parties – players and gaming sites.
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Understanding Gaming Addiction
There might be many reasons why a person is drawn to gambling. These can range from personal needs to the desire to win a considerable amount of money, as well as addiction to the very process of such a game.
The most common cause is the operation of the brain’s reward system. When players receive a reward, their brain produces the hormones of happiness due to which they feel pleasure. Often, this process turns into endless waiting for the desired, instead of enjoying it, because the anticipation is even more pleasant than the victory itself.
In addition to this, a person’s nature may also factor in getting hooked on the game. For example, people who are easily addicted to not only gambling but other things too, who love competition, are used to acting quickly, and are bored with everything are often subject to temptation.
Identifying Signs of Gambling Addiction
It is crucial to distinguish the signs of gaming obsession. Here are some of the most common ones:
- Chasing losses.
Gamblers usually keep playing in the hope that they can return the money they lost. It merely adds to the financial hardship the player suffers;
- Financial compromise.
The desire to win can provoke gamblers to take loans, thus sacrificing their financial stability for the ability to keep on playing;
- Inability to stop.
A strong desire to gamble can make it difficult for individuals to quit, even when they recognize the negative impact on their lives;
- Deception.
Gamblers usually concentrate on hiding their problem from their friends and families, leading to isolation and shame.
Strategies for Preventing Gambling Mania
The prevention of becoming a gambling addict is a practice of self-control. Some of the ways to prevent becoming a compulsive gambler include:
- Limit setting:
users can set bets, time of play, spending, and deposit limits. Casinos often offer tools for setting these limits;
- Unsubscribing from promotions:
it may be less tempting to play when a person does not receive promotional emails about new games, bonuses, and tournaments;
- Self-limitation:
a user can take time off gambling for a day, a week, or months;
- Self-exclusion:
can be beneficial for any person struggling with the obsession to gambling by requesting a blocking of access for an extended period, at least a year.
Resources for Problem Gamblers
Recognizing and accepting the issue is the first step toward recovery. Many organizations help people who suffer from a gaming obsession:
- BeGambleAware.
It is an organization of the UK that includes the whole National Gambling Treatment Service;
- GamCare.
It is an independent charity that has been helping UK citizens fight the problem of compulsive gambling for more than twenty years. It usually provides some information to the problematic gamblers;
- Gamblers Anonymous.
It is a worldwide community to which people who have gambling problems address seeking help. The gamblers then support each other by sharing their stories.