Gambling addiction is a huge problem in the UK and many people find that they are constantly trying to recoup there losses or reaching for their phone or laptop to lay a bet or play a casino game. Sometimes it can be down to gambling being associated with having fun, because it takes the person’s mind off something else, or because of sheer boredom, but in reality there are hundreds of reasons why people turn to gambling and become addicted.
Gambling is designed to be fun and the rush of winning can be as exciting as a hit of adrenaline or something a little stronger. Before long, gamblers are looking for that ‘hit’ every day and soon run into financial difficulties. Many addicted gamblers turn to lending services or borrow money from friends or family. This is a slippery slope that could potentially end up with the person breaking the law to get more money to gamble, or possibly losing friends and upsetting family members.
Casinos and online gaming companies are often portrayed in a negative light for allegedly letting people get to a stage where they are no longer in control of their finances and eventually their lives. Despite this seemingly ‘greedy’ approach that seems to be taken by the bookies and casinos, the complete opposite is actually the case and gaming organisations are not only obliged but are also willing to help people kick or reduce their gambling addiction. After all, bad press makes for bad business even if it means turning down those who would have been key customers many years ago.
Gambling is heavily regulated in the UK and gaming companies must by law offer restrictions, bans and support to addicted gamblers using their services. Every account with an online gambling company will have an option in the menu or account settings to set restrictions on the amount that can be deposited, the amount that can wagered at once and the frequency at which money can be deposited. Setting up restrictions on an account may seem like people can continue fuel their addiction, but it is actually better than going ‘cold turkey’. People are much more likely to seek other ways to get their gambling high and limited access to accounts lets player’s sill get their kick from gambling, but in a much more controlled environment.
There also some easy steps that gamblers can take to begin reducing their dependency or get it to a manageable level. The saying ‘only gamble what you can afford to lose’ is very true, but of course you need to be able to have control when you get to a certain point. An easier way to do this is to reduce the amount you put on certain bets. Instead of gambling £5 on each spin of the roulette wheel for example, try heading to the penny tables and put 1p, 2p or 5p down each time. Not only will your gambling session last much longer, but you’ll still get that winning feeling and any money you do lose will be less than if you put down a larger stake. Be careful not think negatively however. If you wager 5p on black and win 10p back, don’t view this as ‘losing £4.95’ if your bet had been higher. This is when risks escalate and problem gambling starts to occur.
Despite gambling coming with warning labels, such as the ‘when the fun stops, stop’ campaign set up by gambleaware seen all over gambling websites. Although gambling can be addictive, the majority of people find that online casino gaming is a bit of fun with a small chance that they might win big but also have hours of fun playing immersive and fun games online. Online casinos should be a place to go to relax and enjoy some fun games with a chance of winning back some money which for instance 888casino the reputable online casino does so well, allowing the customer to divulge in a great range of games and with our tips will no longer have to worry about their losses. Imposing limits and knowing what you have wagered is key, so a good bit of advice is to choose a monetary value and stick to it. Once this has been spent, cut off and walk away from the gaming table or close the website.
There are lots of options for people who feel they have even a minor gambling addiction, with support organisations such as gamblers anonymous and gambleaware. Realistically however, the likelihood of becoming addicted to gambling has a lot to do with your personality and the vast majority of people can enjoy a few bets or some online gaming and know when to cut off.
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