We’re big believers that gambling is supposed to be a fun, thrilling hobby. However, excessive gambling can lead to major financial and personal problems. For that reason, it’s important to know the signs of problem gambling, which includes gambling addiction. Read on to find them, as well as free resources available to Australians.
The concept of responsible gambling is to ensure that when you bet on sports or play casino games with real money, you minimise any risk to yourself and others.
We can all play a part in preventing problem gambling in Australia. Here are some of the ways to protect yourself and others:
Deposit limits will restrict how much you can deposit each month.
Track your play to see how much you've won or lost.
Avoid chasing losses and stop playing when your bankroll is done.
Be strict about how much you want to gamble with each month.
Loss limits restrict how much you can lost each session.
Look for casinos which have a self-exclusion policy, are registered an
Take advantage of self-exclusion policies, so you can take time out.
If you're concerned about gambling addiction, seek help immediately.
It’s important to be able to spot the signs of gambling addiction in yourself and others. This will help prevent the problem getting out of hand and having a negative impact on you and your loved ones lives.
Some of the signs are:
Casual gamblers can stop playing whenever they want and enjoy small stakes sessions. Gamblers developing a problem will find it increasingly difficult to stop playing. However, even problem gamblers can have periods of remission where they can ‘give up’ the habit, before falling back into it. Keep the signs of problem gambling in mind.
There are a number of major risks associated to problem gambling:
Excessive gambling often takes a toll on personal relationships. Problem gamblers frequently lie to hide the amount that they are gambling, and avoid attending social events in order to gamble. It’s also common for them to ask to ‘borrow’ money to gamble with, which puts strain on the relationship.
It goes without saying, but gambling with more than just your disposable income can have severe financial and legal implications. These include repossession of personal items as well as bankruptcy.
Problem gambling (and the subsequent social and financial implications) often leads to a deteriorated state of wellbeing for the individual involved. Though this will vary from person-to-person, this deterioration may include depressive episodes and suicidal thoughts.
If suspect that you or someone you love is developing a gambling problem, there are free resources available to Australians which can help quickly.
In the first instance, see these websites dedicated to AU players:
gamblinghelponline.org.au
gamblershelp.com.au
lifeline.org.au/get-help/information-and-support/problem-gambling/
National Debt Helpline
If you need instant support, please call the following numbers:
Lifeline Australia: 13-11-14
GambleAware: 1800-858-858
Free Financial Counselling: 1800-007-007
Some of the signs of problem gambling are:
If you feel you or a loved one has a problem, then seek help as soon as possible.
Responsible gambling is a concept which sees people gambling ins a manner which minimises the brisk of harm to themselves and others. In short, players gamble in a controlled environment, with budget limits and an awareness of how their gambling is affecting their behaviour.
Australia has a number of resources available for people with a gambling problem. Some of the biggest organisations are GambleAware, Gamblers Anonymous, and the Gambling Help Online.
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