Online gaming should be a fun way to keep yourself occupied and entertained. However, there are times when playing becomes more than just a pleasure and the fun stops. It is then time to take a break or consider stopping completely.
At 8fortuna.com, we promote responsible gaming. All the casinos, poker sites, and sports betting sites we partner with provide the option to set deposit limits or to automatically exclude oneself for a specific or permanent period.
We are not health professionals, but we have gathered information below about responsible gaming and gambling problems. Take a look, reflect, and seek help if you think you need it!
GambleAware is the UK's leading nonprofit organization dedicated to educating and combating gambling harm. Their list consists of ten tips for safe betting:
Don't think of the game as a way to make money.
Only play with money that you can afford to lose.
Set a limit on money in advance.
Set a time limit in advance.
Do not try to recover your losses.
Don't play when you're feeling down or upset.
Balance the game with other activities.
Don't bring your credit card with you.
Take breaks.
Do not drink or take drugs while playing.
Although the list may be more for casino enthusiasts, it also has merit among online players. We strongly recommend using the deposit limits of online casinos and the limits related to gaming time.
Indicators that you are playing in a problematic way
The definition of problematic gaming, addiction, or disorders varies by country and sources. The American Psychiatric Association (APA) refers to this as a gambling disorder and defines it as follows: "gambling disorder involves repeated gambling behavior that causes significant problems or distress."
According to the APA, a diagnosis of gambling disorder requires at least four of the following elements in the past year:
Need to play with increasing amounts of money to achieve the desired excitement.
Restless or irritable when trying to reduce or stop playing.
Repeated and unsuccessful efforts to control, reduce, or stop gambling.
Frequent reflections on gaming (for example, reliving past gaming experiences, planning your next gaming session, thinking of ways to get money to play).
Play frequently when in distress.
Return frequently to recover an amount of money after losing it while playing (what is called "wanting to recoup one's losses").
Lying to hide a gaming activity.
Endangering or losing an important relationship, a job, or an educational or career opportunity because of gambling.
Relying on others to solve one's problems caused by gambling.
If you have ever felt or done any of the things listed above, you may need to take control of your game. BeGambleAware has an anonymous online test that might provide you with additional insights into your gambling habits.
You are not alone
A literature review published in the Journal of Behavioral Addiction (2016) suggests that the prevalence of gambling problems worldwide is between 0.12% and 5.8%. According to a well-cited older study published in 1998, the prevalence was 4.7%.
Whatever the current prevalence, you are not alone. Millions of people suffer from gambling addiction worldwide.
Where to find help
According to the Canadian Safety Council, here are the confidential local helplines, available 24/7, regarding addiction:
Alberta 1-866-332-2322
British Columbia 1-888-795-6111
Manitoba Gambling Helpline 1-800-463-1554
New Brunswick 1-800-461-1234
Newfoundland and Labrador 1-888-899-4357
Nova Scotia 1-888-347-8888
Nunavut Kamatsiaqtut 1-800-265-3333
Ontario 1-888-230-3505
Prince Edward Island 1-888-299-8399
Quebec 514-527-0140
Montreal and surrounding areas 1-800-461-0140 and 1-866-767-5389
Saskatchewan 1-800-306-6789
If you need urgent help, please visit your local emergency service or call 911.
For your personal development and for more information, visit http://www.problemgambling.ca/
