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 that we partner with offer the option to set deposit limits or to automatically exclude oneself for a defined period or permanently.
We are not health professionals, but we have gathered information below on responsible gambling and gambling issues. Take a look, reflect, and seek help if you think you need it!
GambleAware is the leading non-profit organisation in the United Kingdom dedicated to educating and combating gambling-related harm. Their list consists of ten tips for safe gambling:
Don't think of gaming as a way to make money.
Only play with money that you can afford to lose.
Set a money limit in advance.
Set a time limit in advance.
Don’t try to recover your losses.
Don't play when you are feeling down or upset.
Balance the game with other activities.
Do not bring your bank card with you.
Take breaks.
Do not drink or use drugs while playing.
Although the list may be more for casino enthusiasts, it also has merit among online players. We strongly recommend that you use 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 gambling, addiction, or disorders varies by country and sources. The American Psychiatric Association (APA) refers to it as a gambling disorder and defines it as follows: "gambling disorder involves repeated gambling behaviour that causes significant problems or distress."
According to the APA, a diagnosis of gambling disorder requires at least four of the following elements over the past year:
Need to play with increasing sums of money to achieve the desired excitement.
Restless or irritable when trying to reduce or stop playing.
Repeated and unsuccessful attempts to control, reduce or stop gambling.
Frequent reflections on gaming (for example, reliving past gaming experiences, planning the next gaming moment, thinking about ways to obtain money for gaming).
Play frequently when in distress.
Come back frequently to recover an amount of money after having lost it while playing (what is called "wanting to recover your losses").
Lying to hide a gaming activity.
To jeopardise or lose an important relationship, a job, or an opportunity for study or career because of gambling.
Relying on others to solve 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 gaming. BeGambleAware has an anonymous online test that could 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 earlier study published in 1998, the prevalence was 4.7%.
Regardless of 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 support lines, 24/7, for 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 999.
For your personal development and for more information, visit http://www.problemgambling.ca/
