Responsible Gambling

Problem gambling refers to a condition where an individual engages in gambling activities to the extent that it starts to have negative consequences on their personal, social, and financial well-being. It can be characterised by an inability to control or stop online betting despite the negative effects it can lead to. It is important to recognize this as a serious issue that can have detrimental impacts on individuals and their loved ones.

Responsible gambling entails a collection of guidelines for both punters and bookmakers. The core of this concept from a player’s perspective is to view wagering primarily as a means of amusement, rather than a means of generating income. Responsible players engage in gambling for enjoyment and take precautions to ensure that their behaviours do not adversely affect their emotional and financial stability.

In turn, bookmakers should promote responsible gambling on their platforms by posting information on the subject, including:

• Publications on responsible gambling;
• Tests for potential addiction;
• Resources for help (helplines, websites, etc.).

Thus, they should introduce features that allow their users to control the gambling process, such as setting spending and time limits, the ability to view statistics, the option to self-exclude, etc.

The following suggestions can aid in reducing the likelihood of encountering difficulties associated with online betting:

Recognising the emergence of problem gambling habits is often challenging. Therefore, it’s important to identify signs and symptoms of it as soon as possible. Here’s a list of the most common ones:

• Devoting considerable time to online betting sites;
• Wagering more money than originally intended or beyond financial means;
• Experiencing intense negative emotions due to gaming losses;
• Using online betting as an escape from problems in personal life;
• Feeling an immediate compulsion to continue gambling in an attempt to recover losses;
• Disruption of professional responsibilities, relationships, and other aspects of life;
• Resorting to theft as a means to finance gambling activities;
• Lying about time and money spent on online betting.

Various tools are accessible to assist punters in maintaining control over betting activities. They are designed to promote responsible gambling and help players to manage their habits.

Cooling Off Periods

Cooling off periods are great for those who would like to clear their heads and stop gaming or placing bets for a while. By requesting a temporary suspension of your account, you get the opportunity to step back, reflect, and regain control over your behaviour.

Setting Deposit Limits

Setting deposit limits is a key part of the responsible gambling concept. By setting such restrictions, you limit your resources and spend less money on casino games and sports betting, thus preserving your budget. When setting such limitations, it is important to keep the following in mind:

• Sticking to the set rules and not depositing more money than planned is the key to success;
• The maximum limit amount must not be financially detrimental to your household.

Reality Checks

Reality checks serve as periodic reminders regarding the duration of gambling activities. They can be set for a period ranging from every 20 minutes to 2 hours. When a player receives a reminder, they have the choice to log out, review transaction history, or continue playing. It helps to maintain awareness of gambling habits.

Profit & Loss Records

Certain bookmakers may display your net winnings or losses within a specific timeframe. This feature is helpful for monitoring betting budgets and adhering to it. Alternatively, you can maintain your own Profit/Loss records using spreadsheets.

Blocking Gambling Transactions

Nowadays banks provide the option of setting limits specifically for gambling-related expenses. If you find yourself concerned about excessive spendings, you can contact your bank institution and block such transactions entirely.

Self Exclusion

It serves as a helpful tool for those who suspect they have a gambling issue and want to quit. It allows you to request a ban on such activities if you feel you are spending excessive time or money on online casino platforms. Once you initiate this process, it’s crucial to adhere to it, and betting sites are obligated to take reasonable measures to prevent you from gambling during the specified period.

There are several ways that are helpful for those with gambling addiction:

• Counselling Services: Getting professional help is the most effective way to overcome gaming addiction. For example, Gambling Therapy offers free and confidential therapy sessions for people across the world.
• Helplines: Helplines offer immediate support, and provide non-judgmental space for those who seek guidance:

• GamCare’s helpline – call 08088020133;
• Gam-Anon’s helpline – call 08700508880.

• Online Support Groups: Participating in online support groups or forums on the topic can connect individuals facing similar issues. Refer to Gamblers Anonymous’ website for more information about offline meetings and to Gambling Therapy about online support groups.
• Rehabilitation Centres: In severe cases, people with gambling addiction are put into Rehabilitation Centres where they undergo intensive treatment. These centres provide therapy, counselling, support groups, and more complex approaches to recovery.
• Apps and Online Tools: Various applications and online tools (for example, the RecoverMe app) can help to manage gambling habits. They include self-exclusion, spending trackers, and even cognitive behavioural therapy apps. Some of such tools can also simply block all access to online betting websites and resources.
• Government and NGO Initiatives: Governments and NGOs play crucial roles in addressing various social issues and providing support to individuals in need. They launch awareness campaigns to educate the public, operate helplines and hotlines, establish treatment and rehabilitation programs, develop policies and aim to create a supportive environment.

• Gamble Aware – gambleaware.org

Gamble Aware is an organisation that provides advice, tools and support to individuals who face gambling addiction. They fund research projects and evaluations to enhance the understanding of this addiction. They have targeted support programs, including:

• Gambling blocking software;
• Self-exclusion;
• Budgeting and spending control;
• Limiting online gambling ads, and so on.

• Gambling Addiction – gamblingaddiction.org

Gambling Addiction site is dedicated to assisting individuals in recognising the signs and understanding the causes of gambling addiction to identify the habits and patterns that may indicate someone struggling with it. Thus, it helps individuals gain insight into potential issues.

• Gambling Therapy – gamblingtherapy.org

This organisation offers free therapy for individuals affected by gambling worldwide. There, punters can take a quiz and learn if their behaviour is not quite normal as well as gain some knowledge on what’s problem gambling, why is it difficult to stop and how betting affects daily life. Gambling Therapy offers help via:

• Support Forums (available 24/7);
• Multilingual text-based Live Support service;
• Online support groups;
• Email ([email protected]).

• Gamblers Anonymous – gamblersanonymous.org

Gamblers Anonymous offers a range of supportive services for those impacted by gambling addiction. The website allows users to engage in chat sessions with advisors who can provide assistance. Also, there’s a test available to help individuals assess if they have a gambling problem. Gamblers Anonymous strives to create a supportive environment – they offer helpful resources and provide opportunities for offline meetings for people to share their experiences.

• GamCare – gamcare.org

GamCare is a leading organisation dedicated to providing support for individuals affected by problem gambling. This platform offers free assistance, counselling, and tools to overcome such problems (including workbooks and self-help resources). Their helpline is available 24/7 via:

• Phone (call 08088020133);
• Live chat;
• WhatsApp chat (+442030318881);
• Facebook messenger (@gamcare);
• Forum;
• Chatrooms (speak to others in similar situations).

• Gam-Anon – gamanon.org

Gam-Anon is an organisation that focuses on providing support to friends and family members of individuals who have gambling problems. People who are affected by someone else’s issues and who seek assistance can visit their website for help, or contact them at 08700508880.

• National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro-Sciences (NIMHANS)

NIMHANS provides comprehensive treatment services for individuals facing challenges related to the misuse of various substances and behavioural addictions (including gambling).

• Manas Foundation

Manas Foundation has more than a decade of experience in the field of mental health, focusing mainly on children, women and youth. The organisation strengthens community-based support systems by providing services such as individual and group counselling, training and awareness-raising sessions.

• SAHYOG

The Invest India SAHYOG initiative seeks to make an active and positive contribution to society by undertaking charitable projects to create awareness about social issues, including gambling.

• Anatta Humanversity

Anatta Humanversity is an inpatient rehabilitation centre for the treatment of addiction and co-occurring disorders. Their specialists conduct screening, history taking, physical and mental health assessments, and counselling.

• Indian Association of Clinical Psychologists (IACP)

IACP is a leading organisation promoting mental health concepts and the profession of clinical psychology. They help addicts to overcome their issues.

• ePsyClinic

ePsyClinic is India’s leading online platform for mental health care. This organisation promotes the normality of mental and emotional problems and provides ways to get help.

• Mind Plus

Mind Plus helps break the cycle of addiction. This organisation helps its clients to explore triggers – the underlying causes of behaviour before changing gambling habits.

• The MINDS Foundation

The MINDS Foundation conducts research and develops curriculum to expand mental health education and increase the number of trained staff. They work with a broad team of consultants, directors and assistants and are supported through various foundations, grants and non-governmental organisations. MINDS collaborates with Mount Sinai School of Medicine, Sumandeep Vidyapeeth University and so on.

• Government Helplines and Online Portals

Government helplines and online portals are valuable resources for individuals seeking information, support, and assistance with mental health issues. Their services are usually provided by trained professionals, free of charge and operate 24/7. It’s the easiest way to get help.