Responsible Gaming

Gambling addiction is a serious problem that we, as an online casino affiliate, like to pay attention to. In this article we discuss, among other things, signs of gambling addiction, the risks of gambling addiction, and we also give tips with which you can play (better) responsibly.

Gambling addiction and its seriousness

That gambling can be addictive is no doubt. Casino addiction naturally occurs in varying degrees. Did you know that you may also have a genetically higher risk of gambling addiction? With a genetic predisposition, you are more likely to develop the gambling addiction if you try it. The same research also shows that in addition to being addictive, gambling can also be a compulsive habit. For example, it can be used as a coping mechanism; with feelings of fear. Ultimately, it is precisely this habitual addiction that can take a psychological toll on the addict. The great risk is of course that gambling addiction (gambling in general) almost always costs more money than it yields.

Addiction to gambling can therefore have serious consequences for the gambler and the environment. It is an addiction that often costs a lot of time and money. And often more money than the addict can afford to spare. This then leads, in serious cases, to money being borrowed (or stolen) from the environment. An addict then works himself deeper and deeper into problems, and cannot stop.

Although the situation described above is really not something that the average gambler has to deal with, it is good to realize that this can happen with a gambling addiction. Keep in mind at all times that gambling is a persistent addiction; once you have it. Do you know that you are an addict yourself? Then be extra careful, and use tips for prevention of gambling addiction that we will mention later.

Gambling Addiction: Gambling Addiction Do I Have a? Signals and more

Worried about your own gambling behaviour? Are you afraid that you may have an (online) casino addiction? As said, in most cases things are not going very fast, but there are signs that you should pay attention to. Let’s discuss below a list of signs/symptoms of gambling addiction (this list is not exhaustive):

• You feel that you have to hide your gambling behavior from family/friends/environment
• You have trouble controlling your own gambling behavior
• You gamble while you cannot afford it (financially, or also in terms of time)
• Family/friends/environment express concerns about your gambling behavior
• Gambling has an effect on your financial household (debts, lack of money)
• Work or study gets less attention because you are in your mind is gamblingGambling
• You sometimes feel ‘disconnected’ with your environment
• behavior makes you feel depressed, frustrated, anxious or even suicidal
• You spend more and more time gambling
• Occasionally you call in sick (from work/study) to gamble
• You just can’t seem to stop gambling (read more under self-help tips below), while you always agree to do this with yourself
• Your gambling behavior has nothing to do with pleasure anymore: the is a habit in which you can escape boredom or certain feelings
• You try to win back lost money by gambling moregamble
• Youwith more and more money (stakes keep getting higher)
• You twist (impossible) turns to get it gambling to finance
• Gambling is prioritized over other important things in life (relationships/social contacts)
• You feel guilt because of gambling
• Celebrate worthy moments with gambling
• When you don’t gamble, you think about gambling

As stated, this list is not exhaustive. Still, it gives a pretty good idea of ​​what gambling addiction entails. Is gambling addictive for you and do you recognize yourself in the symptoms of gambling addiction above? Then take a look at our self-help tips, or call in help through your own general practitioner.

The Risks of Online Gambling Addictiveness

The risks of gambling addiction are considerable. It is important not to underestimate this. Let’s take a look at certain situations where you are more at risk of a gambling addiction:

• At the beginning of your gambling career, you win a good amount of money. This often leads to unrealistic expectations, which can lead to gambling getting out of hand.
• Having easy access to gambling options (this includes online gambling by definition).
• Having financial problems.
• Boredom: not having useful daytime activities (this could also include pension).
• Having a predisposition to certain mental problems (depression or anxiety, for example).
• Linking confidence to gambling winnings (also think of poker, although of course we do not deny that strategy is involved).

Do you have any of the above situations? Then it is important to be careful with gambling. Of course, the more of the above situations apply to you, the more risk you run.

Gambling can be addictive: how do I prevent a gambling addiction?

You don’t just get a gambling addiction as if it were the flu. Often a longer period precedes it, and the addiction to gambling sneaks in, as it were. Do you want to ensure that you gamble responsibly as much as possible? Then there are of course several tips against gambling addiction:

• Make sure you know how the game works. As in, completely. Understand the rules of the game; but also the opportunities. Keep in mind that the odds are almost always in favor of the online casino.
• Activate a Deposit Limit at the online casino (or take a fixed amount with you to a land-based casino). In this way you avoid spending more than you actually want in tilt mode.
• Choose moments to gamble and stick to them. Choose fixed times when you allow yourself to gamble; and don’t gamble too long. If necessary, set an alarm!
• Play for fun. Always keep in mind that you are going to lose all the money you bet.
• Don’t gamble out of boredom, or when you’re depressed or anxious. These are times when you cannot make rational choices. Though tempting, gambling is no way to deal with such problems.
• Take short breaks: the well-known cup of tea. Do you enjoy gambling? For example, make sure you do something different every half hour or hour. Drink a cup of tea for 10 minutes, take a walk. This prevents you from betting too much money or making stupid choices in the heat of the moment.
• Take longer breaks if necessary. Have you gambled a little too much for your own taste? Then stop for a while; For example, choose self exclusion at the relevant online casino.

• Don’t gamble when you’re drinking or taking drugs. After all, this makes you less able to make rational choices.
• Accept your loss. Count on losing, and never gamble to make up for a loss.

Of course, the above list is not exhaustive. Of course you can still develop a gambling addiction if you follow our tips; but with these tips the chance is demonstrably less likely.

What to do if you think you are a gambling addict ?

Although gambling addiction is often characterized by forms of denial, the player himself is often aware of when things go a little too far. Have you tried everything to cut down or moderate your gambling? Does gambling continue to be addictive for you? Then it is good to actively work with this. Below we give you tips that you can follow in the context of self-help, but also professional help.

Self-help tips gambling addiction

The biggest and most important pillar: stop gambling, don’t reduce. You have probably already tried decreasing; and it didn’t work that well. Now quitting gambling is easier said than done. Self Exclusion at online casinos is, after all, a handy option, but then there are plenty of other online casinos you can go to.

Keep track of how long you have stopped gambling

Of course it is also good to keep a good record of how long you have already stopped. This often gives a lot of confidence. For example, look at useful applications where you can measure how much money you have already saved and how long you have stopped. The longer you manage to stop, the more proud you will feel.

Talk about it with a counselor

It often helps not to have to fight this battle alone. You do not need to immediately seek professional help for this. Do you know someone with whom you can vent about your gambling problems? Then try to mention it. Who knows, this person may be a good support when you try to stop gambling yourself.

‘I can’t get rid of my gambling addiction on my own’: seeking help

Are you unable to get rid of the gambling addiction yourself? Do you keep falling back into gambling? Then it is definitely a good option to get professional help. This way you can always visit your own doctor and present the problematic gambling behaviour. The GP can then opt for a referral to a specialist in the field of gambling addiction. 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT GAMING ADDICTION

Do I have a gambling addiction if I deposit a lot of money?:

Do you feel that you are depositing more money than you can afford to lose? Do you also have the idea that you do not have control over your own depositing behaviour? Then you may be exhibiting problem behavior. Try to cool down completely for a period, with or without the self-help tools for gambling addiction of the online casinos. Do you feel like you can’t figure this out yourself? Then contact your own GP, ​​or consult the websites mentioned by us in the article above.

Do I have a gambling addiction if I deposit money too often?:

Actually, the word ‘too’ is never right. Do you feel like you’re depositing money more often than you’d like? Then it is good to take a look at the self-help tools for gambling addiction of online casinos, or to contact a general practitioner (or specialized counselor for gambling addiction in the event of more serious complaints).

Am I a gambling addict?: 

That’s not easy to say. Gambling addiction is often characterized by several signals; such as:

• Playing too often, can’t stop playing.
• Lose more money than you could afford to lose.
• Thinking to win back lost money.
• View gambling as a source of income.
• Constantly gambling.
• Coming up with ‘betting plans’ that might help you win more.
• Borrow money to gamble.
• Lying about your own gambling behaviour.

Note: this list is not exhaustive! You often feel yourself whether your gambling behavior (or that of someone close to you) is no longer normal.