Responsible Gaming

The Canadian Partnership for Responsible Gambling defines responsible gambling as: behaviour whereby the gambler views gambling as entertainment with associated costs; sets a limit for the time and money spent and sticks to it; and recognizes that uncontrolled gambling can create problems for themselves, for others in their social network, and the community“.

Gambling Research Australia (which seems to be the only body to offer a definition based on actual research) defines problem gambling as: characterized by many difficulties in limiting money and/or time spent on gambling which leads to adverse consequences for the gambler, others, or for the community“.

As in any such situation, before one can confront or offer help to a person who may be suffering due to problem gambling, the player himself has to recognize and accept the fact that he has a problem. There are numerous organizations and professionals offering “do-it-yourself” tests and examination check-lists that can help an individual to first and foremost realize if he does or does not have a problem with gambling. These tools along with other more technical solutions have been adopted by many casinos as a way of offering their players a “guiding light” in cases of suspected problem gambling.

Ultimately it is the player suffering from problem gambling who has to take the necessary steps in order to keep his gaming habits under control. Whether it includes therapy, counselling or drugs, many online casinos have enabled tools to help their concerned players deal with their habits. These may include: timing devices showing how long a player has been gambling non-stop and even an option to slow down or pause the games after a certain time frame. They also have introduced self-exclusion tools where players can decide how much money they can maximum deposit and gamble at a specific site or if they wish they can be prevented from accessing the casino altogether for certain periods of time ranging from days, to weeks and even months. It is the player’s ultimate responsibility to work hard of preventing things getting out of hand. Some useful guidelines for this are:

 

  1. Players should maintain strict bankroll management and decide beforehand how much money they will spend in a specific time frame.
  2. They should also decide beforehand how much time they will spend gambling, so as to not affect their personal or professional time.
  3. Gambling should be done as entertainment and for pleasure only and should not in any way be a substitute to regular income or used to pay for pending bills.
  4. Players should never borrow money to cover their playing habits.
  5. Players should be able to stop gambling regardless of their recent wins or losses.
  6. Players should realize that in games of chance, especially the ones involving no skill whatsoever, strategies, charms and “loopholes” are useless. Luck will decide the outcome of their game.

This site is an informational resources for recreational gamblers, but we feel it is our obligation to assist those who might have a problem, to help themselves. If you feel like you might have a gambling problem, please contact any of the below resources and ask for help.

 

Responsible gambling resources