Dealing with gambling addiction

Dealing With Gambling Addiction

Playing in an online casino is especially fun for many and sometimes you can get lucky and win money if you know your limits. But remember that it is sometimes difficult not to continue playing if you have not won anything or if you have just won a large amount.

If you can’t stop playing roulette or any other game and all you can think about is playing in a casino, then you have a gambling addiction. On this page, we tell you more about it, but we also explain how you can prevent gambling addiction.

What is a gambling addiction?

Precisely because playing in an online casino is so exciting, you often keep going. You still want to play again and win just a little more money. But what if you really can’t stop now? Then you have a gambling addiction! You have literally become addicted to the thrill of winning. And it is precisely because of this tension that you no longer see the difference between profit and loss. Of course, you are not immediately addicted, there is usually a number of years between the first time playing and developing the addiction. There are 4 stages that any problem gambler go through, namely:

  • Start-up phase: you started playing at online casinos.
  • Winning phase: you like the online play and continue with it.
  • Losing phase: you keep playing. It has really become a part of your life now, you can’t live without it, even if you lose more money than you gain.
  • Addiction: Playing online rules your life. Playing itself has become uncontrollable and with it your debts.

The master plan

In the last phase, gamblers often start to come up with a strategy, the so-called master plan that must ensure that all debts are repaid in one fell swoop. Of course, that is not feasible because the debts have already reached unserviceable levels at this stage.  Addicts play in both online and offline casinos. It is, therefore, true that casinos do have a protective function towards their players. Of course, players are also responsible for their actions, but casinos do have a duty to protect their players from themselves, if necessary. Of course, some people are more prone to addiction than others.

Problem gambling charities

Do you feel addicted to gambling or are you afraid of developing addictive habits? Do not hesitate and contact one of the organizations below, they can definitely help you confidentially, completely securely and in an unjudgmental manner.

  • GamCare
  • GamBan
  • Prevention Foundation
  • Center for Responsible Gaming

The online casinos themselves can also help you. These companies are obliged to help you get rid of your gambling addiction. As soon as you indicate that you have a gambling addiction, you can ask them to freeze your account, place a deposit limit, set a time cap, or block your account. That way you won’t be tempted to play anymore. Often you can also set your own limits so that you can no longer play if your budget is exhausted. It is also possible to close your casino account for a week if you feel that you need a temporary stop.

Prevention is better than cure!

That is of course easier said than done, but certainly not impossible! With the tips below, playing in an online casino remains fun for everyone:

  • Agree with yourself on a budget per day, week or month. Also, make sure you always stick to this! It can also be useful to agree on a profit amount. That way you will never be tempted to keep betting.
  • Only play with the money you have. Don’t borrow money to bet. Also, don’t use your credit card to deposit at the casino or the betting site.
  • Agree with yourself a playing time, for example, an hour a day. Even if your daily budget is not yet exhausted, go do something else. This way, you won’t be tempted to keep playing until you run out of budget.
  • Only play if you feel good. Do you feel depressed or stressed? Then find another way to relax. Also, don’t play with alcohol or drugs! This will only adversely affect your gaming behaviour.
  • Take occasional breaks while playing.
  • First try playing a game in an online casino in the practice mood without wagering money. In almost all casinos you can play in the demo mode without even creating a new account.
  • And last but not least: play for fun. Enjoy the game and don’t expect too much. As long as you don’t expect mountains of gold, you don’t have to be disappointed if you haven’t won anything after a while.

Prevention of gambling addiction

It is sometimes said that every addiction is an attempt to establish an intimate relationship! That is why we sometimes see that people are prone to developing addictions, and sometimes alternate between them. It is not so much the addiction, but an addiction that must be maintained in order to maintain the appearance of control. People can be addicted to alcohol, drink, sex, relationships, but also to gambling. What do these things actually have in common and how do these addictions arise.

Illusion of control

Addictions are born with the great illusion of control. The misunderstanding usually causes people to go wrong. For example, people who are addicted to relationships have the illusion that they can manipulate the other person; that they can influence the behaviour of the other to their advantage. This is usually based on a great fear of abandonment.

Correlation with other addictions

And there we have it again, the correlation with the intimate relationship. In the case of sex addictions and alcohol and drugs, there is a complicating factor and that is the impact it has on the brain. Especially with alcohol addictions, neurological connections are made that ensure that people no longer have control over themselves. Drinking is one of the most persistent addictions to get rid of.

Distraction

Other needs and desires that are fulfilled, or at least temporarily fulfilled in people with an addiction, is the sense of distraction. People who are prone to addictions love to be distracted. In the case of gambling addiction, the player often has a strong sense of invincibility. Gambling addiction in some cases arises in people who have initially suffered a loss. They want to make things right and have the feeling that this is possible with every turn.

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