1. I Think I Have A Gambling Problem Occurred
2. I Think I Have A Gambling Problem Among
3. I Think I Have A Gambling Problem Without

Gambling, whether on sports, reality TV or at an online casino, should be fun. We personally enjoy a punt and we believe that the choice of whether to gamble or not is a freedom that should be granted to people. That said, as with many things in life, gambling can be addictive and we fully support responsible gambling.

Some people have quipped that the only problem gamblers have is losing. Would that it was that simple. Solving problem gambling involves a lot more than just finding a winning system or having a lucky streak, because a gambling problem is a deep seated situation that involves a lot more than just losing a game or money. It's common for someone with a gambling problem to have relapses. 'I think every time you stop you're taking a step forward. It doesn't matter how soft that move is,' Shayne says. Believe it or not, your friends or family may already suspect that you have a gambling problem, even though you may think they do not have a clue. Problem gamblers tend to fool themselves, more than they do other people. If you like, email me. I have experience in this field, and will be more than glad to help you with this problem. Signs that gambling may be a problem You do not have to gamble everyday or lose money every session to have an issue with gambling. A person who has a problem may: Gamble to avoid dealing with problems or disappointments; Skip work or study to gamble; Spend more time gambling than with family and friends; Think about gambling every day.

As such, it’s essential to be aware of the signs of gambling addiction, either in yourself or in someone close to you, and also to know what to do and what support is available.

I Think I Have A Gambling Problem Occurred

Gambling Guidelines

Whether you gamble every now and again on your favourite sport, once a year on the Grand National or are a regular gambler who likes a bet on just about anything, there are some basic “rules” that everyone should follow. Many of these have been so oft-repeated that they may be clichés but they are undeniably true so we’re more than happy to repeat them again.

• Is It Fun? – Gambling should be fun. For MOST people it is not an investment or a way to make easy money. Making consistent long term profit is incredibly difficult, so don’t think of gambling as anything more than a hobby that you do for enjoyment and you won’t go too far wrong. If you’re not enjoying what you’re doing, don’t do it.
• Bet Within Your Means – Only bet with money you can afford to lose because there is, of course, a chance that you will lose. Even bets at odds of 1/100 lose – every day!
• Don’t Chase Losses – Chasing losses is the quickest way to lose your money and whilst you think that just one more bet could get you back on track, it is equally, if not more likely, to plunge you deeper into trouble. Betting big when you are down is illogical and can quickly spiral out of control.
• Quit Whilst You Are Ahead – If you keep betting and betting, eventually you will lose. If you have a set amount of profit that you are aiming for in a given day, once you reach it, stop betting and enjoy your profits!

Am I Addicted, Do I Have a Problem?

Some people view addiction as being at the far extremes of behaviour, for example the alcoholic who drinks whiskey at 10am while sitting at home alone, or the drug addict who needs a hit every hour. However, whatever label we give to an issue, if your gambling is making you or those around you unhappy or anxious, it is a problem and you may be addicted. UK body GambleAware gives the following signs as possible indicators of a gambling problem:

• Spending more money and time on gambling than you can afford.
• Difficulty stopping or managing your betting.
• Arguing about money or gambling with family or friends.
• Declining interest in normal hobbies.
• Thinking about or talking about gambling all the time.
• Chasing losses.
• Gambling until you lose everything.
• Borrowing money, selling belongings or not paying bills to fund gambling.
• Betting more and/or for longer to get the same excitement.
• Neglecting responsibilities due to gambling.
• Gambling-related anxiety, guilt, worry, depression or irritability.

If you have some of those warning signs it might be time to think about your gambling, especially if you hide the extent of your gambling and/or losses from those around you. Remember, just because you don’t bet every day, or all the time, doesn’t mean your gambling isn’t a problem. It’s also very important to realise that admitting you have a problem doesn’t make you weak, foolish or stupid and problem gambling and addiction crosses all age, sex, race and class divides – anyone can become addicted to gambling.

Gambling Addiction: Getting Help

If you feel you may have a problem then the good news is that there are lots of options in terms of getting help. In the first instance simply telling a friend or family member about your actions and trying to take a break from gambling may be a good idea.

If your issue is more serious then there are a range of organisations that offer help, totally free, with 100% confidentiality and without judging you. The National Gambling Helpline can be contacted on 0808 8020 133 and is operated by Gamcare. They are a great starting point, whilst the options below offer alternative sources of advice and help:

• National Problem Gambling Clinic – this London body can be contacted on 020 7534 6699
• Gamblers Anonymous – GA can be contacted on 020 7384 3040
• National Debtline – if your gambling has caused financial problems call 0808 808 4000
• Citizens Advice Bureau – the CAB can advise on a wide range of issues and sign post you to more specific help
• Gordon Moody Association – can provide residential care for extreme problems: call 01384 241292 for details

Note that all of the organisations above have websites that can be easily accessed but if you’d rather not go to a third party, controlling your gambling via the bookies themselves is also possible.

Self-Exclusion, Deposit Limits and Cooling Off

Responsible gambling is very important to online bookies and all sites will have dedicated areas to help customers control their own gambling. These may be found under your account tab or a sometimes through a dedicated responsible gambling tab and there are three main options available, although not all bookmakers will offer all three.

1. Deposit Limit – if you feel you are losing more than you would like one control measure is to set a deposit limit. This can be as little as £5 per day and means you cannot add more than that in any 24 hour period to that particular bookie. You have to wait 24 hours if you decide to remove or increase a deposit limit, which gives you time to think if you really want to bet more.
2. Cooling Off – some bookies will allow you to temporarily exclude yourself from betting for a period from one day up to a month or more, again giving you time to think and decide whether betting is really what you want to be doing.
3. Self-Exclusion – self-exclusion is the most extreme step and means you won’t be able to use that online account for a minimum of six months, although much longer periods of exclusion are available.

Signs of slot machine addiction

When gambling on a slot machine, the bond between the gambler and the machine becomes personal, no one to interfere with their gambling and no one to compete against. The player feels a fondness for a particular machine and some players even get irritated if they see someone else playing their machine. If the slot player is playing longer than he planned, spending more money than he can afford, and telling lies about how much he wins or loses, perhaps he has a problem. If s/he is concerned about his behavior while gambling and even during periods when the person is away from the casino, perhaps s/he may have a slot machine addiction. Other signs of slot machine addiction include:

1. Belief that you are not gambling with “real money”.

2. Belief that you will win back money that you lost on a slot machine.

3. Developing a personal relationship or bond with a particular slot machine.

4. Feeling irritation when you see someone else playing on “your” slot machine.

5. Playing a slot machine longer than planned.

6. Spending more money on a slot machine than you can afford.

7. Lying about how much you win or lose on a slot machine.

8. Thinking about playing the slots when you are away from a casino.

9. Problems at work, home or in a social setting due to playing the slots.

10. If you think you may have a gambling problem, you probaby do.

Slot machines are designed to be addictive

Slot machines are also known as VLTs (video lottery terminals) or pokies. The machines are designed with three or more reels that spin when a button is pushed or a handle pulled. The machines have different themes containing graphics and music from popular movies or TV show. The sounds, colors, and images on slot machines have been designed by psychologists to seduce the player and the music reinforces the addictive behavior.

I Think I Have A Gambling Problem Among

Dopamine, adrenaline and slot machines

The rapid response from the machine has a hypnotic effect and stirs up the dopamine in our brains. And the speed of slot machine games keeps the gamblers’ adrenaline pumping. Even if the gambler does not win, the machine makes him feel that he almost did. And for the gambler that can be just as great a feeling as winning the jackpot. In fact, the person can sit there for hours just pushing buttons and zoning out because the games require no thought or skill. Many slot players have commented, “I just couldn’t get up and walk away.”

Instant gratification on slot machines

I Think I Have A Gambling Problem Without

When a person gambles on slot machines they don’t have to think or plan their next move. They don’t have to wait for cards to be dealt, horses to run around a track, or the end of a sports event, to know the score. Playing the slot machines person knows instantly if he won. Even if he didn’t win, the reels show him how close he came to winning. The machine tells the player that it is ready to pay off because the images on the reels were showing us three, four or five of a kind.

Slot machines are the crack cocaine of gambling

Slot machines are powerful revenue-generating forces designed to keep the player spending more money. The innocence of the slot machine attracts the gambler as he walks through the casino but the slot machine addiction has been described as the crack cocaine of gambling. The money that people gamble on slot machines typically isn’t important and is treated like Monopoly money. Even when the person loses, they believe they will win back all the money they lost to the machine. To compound the losing of money, several ATM machines are located in the gambling area. But what has your experience been? Are you having trouble with slot machine use? Please share your thoughts below, and we will respond to you personally!