According to mayoclinic.org, addictive gambling is the uncontrollable urge to continue gambling despite the serious problems it creates.
It means that you are willing to risk something you value hoping that you will get something even more valuable. You will hide your behavior, accumulate debts, or even resort to theft to continue with your addiction.
This activity has the power to stimulate the brain’s reward system, just like it happens with alcohol or drugs. If you deal with compulsive gambling, then you may continue gambling even if you lose.
There is no doubt that compulsive gambling is a very serious problem. It is a condition that can even destroy lives. It is true that treating this addiction is quite challenging, but it is not impossible.
There is a high number of gamblers who struggle with compulsive gambling. Yet, many of them have found help through professional treatment.
RECOMMENDATION
The best thing you can do is to limit the time you spend on gambling. Self-exclusion is one of the best options for dealing with gambling addiction.
Signs of compulsive gambling
- Trying to control or even stop gambling without success
- Constantly planning to gamble in order to earn more money
- Feeling restless or nervous when you do not gamble anymore
- Gambling to escape personal problems
- Hiding the addiction from your family and friends
- Resorting to theft and even fraud just to get gambling money
- Losing your relationships and even your friends or your job
- Asking for money to keep gambling
Risk factors
The experts from Mayo Clinic found out that there are many people who gamble and they never develop a gambling problem. Yet, they say that some factors are associated with compulsive gambling.
- Age - This type of addiction is more common in younger people. Gambling during the teenage years increases quite a lot the risk of developing compulsive gambling.
- Family or friend influence - If someone in your family or if any of your friends has a gambling problem, then chances are greater that you will too.
- Certain personality characteristics - Being an impulsive, highly competitive, or workaholic can increase your risk of compulsive gambling.
Gambling addiction can have serious and long-lasting consequences, such as:
- Poor general health
- Financial and legal problems
- Relationship problems
- Poor work performance or even job loss
Self-Exclusion - Definition and Overview
Self-Exclusion means that you can ask the casinos to exclude you from gambling with them.
There is for a certain length of time, usually between six and twelve months. In some situations, it can even be up to five years.
Self-Exclusion can be used when you think you have a gambling problem and you need help to stop.
How it works
- You will be excluded from gambling for a minimum six month period
- It is necessary to offer proof of identity including a photo
- You will be removed from the marketing databases until the exclusion period has expired
- You will not be allowed to leave the scheme until the exclusion period has ended
- Leaving the scheme after the self-exclusion period expires means that you will not be automatically added to any marketing databases
When joining this theme, you are agreeing that:
- All the provided information will be shared only with operators within the specific scheme
- You will not be allowed to gamble anymore on those venues from which you have self-excluded
How to self-exclude
You have the option to self-exclude from a separate casino or from multiple platforms. There are multiple types of exclusion, such as:
1. Self-exclusion from just one gambling website or app
- Go to the online casino you want to self-exclude from
- Look for the ’’Responsible Gambling’’ or ’’Safer Gambling’’ page
- Follow the steps mentioned there for self-exclusion
- If you don’t know exactly how to do this, then contact the customer service
2. Self-exclusion from one arcade, betting shop, or casino
- Go to the website you want to self-exclude from
- Talk to a member of staff or to the manager about your wish
- There is no need to take any money with you
- Make sure you have a few passport size photos for helping the staff identify you
- Remember to get a copy of your self-exclusion form
3. Self-exclusion from all gambling websites
If you want to self-exclude from all gambling websites, then we recommend you visit GAMSTOP. This platform enables UK and NI residents to exclude themselves from all gambling casinos. Note that these casinos are the ones being operated in the UK.
The self-exclusion can either be done for 6 months, 1 year, or 5 years. Yet, all online gambling platforms must offer a facility for gamblers to self-exclude themselves from that company.
This option is usually found in the ’’Responsible Gambling’’ or ’’Safer Gambling’’ section of their platform. Also, make sure you check out your personal account page. If you need help, don’t hesitate and call customer service or email them.
Other apps that can help with self-exclusion:
General Information – for blocking online gambling
There are many strong reasons to block gambling websites. If you are using Internet Explorer, then you don’t need to buy special gambling software. You can easily block gambling platforms by changing your browser’s settings.
Here is the step by step process you need to follow:
- Open the Internet Explorer Browser.
- Click on the item that says ‘’Tools’’, which is located on the top right of the browser screen.
- At the bottom of the words, you will see the words ‘’Internet Options’’. Click on this.
- Look for the fourth tab that says ‘’Content’’ and click on it.
- Another window will open. At the top of it, you must find the icon and the words ‘’Content Advisor’’. There is the ‘’Enable’’ button. Click on it.
- If the tab ‘’Ratings’’ is not yet selected, you must select it. Do this by clicking on it. Under ratings, next to the words ‘’Depiction of Gambling’’ you will see an icon. Click on it.
- Underneath the list of items that can be blocked, you will see a slider bar for ‘’Adjust the slider to specify what users are allowed to see’’. There are three settings. If you want to block gambling in all forms, then slide the bar all the way to the left. You need to do this where it reads ‘’None’’.
What you need to do if you opt for the brand exclusion
If you opt for the self-exclusion from a specific platform, you must follow some steps. Note that this feature is usually available on all platforms licensed by the UKGC. This type of exclusion is directly linked with the platform you activate it on.
Yet, sometimes it can be linked with multiple casino brands owned by the same organization.
If you want to self-exclude from a particular site, consider these steps:
1. Log in
2. Find the self-exclusion feature
3. Carefully read the terms and instructions
4. Contact the customer support
5. Offer your personal details
6. Select an exclusion timeframe
7. Wait to receive the confirmation
RECOMMENDATION
We suggest carefully reading the responsible gambling policy to determine exactly which one of these two situations is valid.
Methods for successfully blocking mobile gambling
There are also a few apps available to block Android, iPhone, and iPad gambling. Have a look in the apps store for gambling block and see what’s in there.
Here is a list of reliable and trustworthy apps you can choose for blocking mobile gambling
- COST2PLAY - This tool helps you understand the long-term costs for popular casino games such as roulette, slots, and blackjack.
- STAY ON TRACK - This tool is free and it will help you a lot when setting a gambling budget.
- QUIT POKIES - Quit Pokies helps gamblers to control or stop playing the pokies. Once you install it on your phone, the toll will send you timed reminders and real-time alerts. Plus, it will remind you how much money is lost every day at specific sites you visit.
- NETNANNY - This general blocking software is compatible with Android phones, Windows computers, and ioS.
Regulations in Online Gambling
The gambling industry is huge and very popular these days. Currently, great attention is being placed on responsible gambling. There are lots of important considerations to keep in mind regarding self-exclusion.
Yet, a good understanding of the self-exclusion schemes and the regulatory bodies overseeing them is essential.
The goal of the mandatory self-exclusion scheme
When evaluating a gambler regulator, an important consideration is whether or not they demand their operators to provide a self-exclusion option. This fact reveals the level of concern that authority has for gamblers playing within its jurisdiction.
The good news is that most regulators feature requirements for mandatory responsible gambling tool availability. The next level up is incorporating a national/multi-operator scheme. In fact, this is the best player-care-and-safety option available at the moment.
Implementing the scheme is quite challenging because it requires lots of time and significant financial and human resources.
Post-exclusion player protection
When it comes to the post-exclusion player protection, there are two main points to consider:
1. Marketing bans for self-excluded gamblers
In recent years, limiting all gambling advertising has become quite popular. Common restrictions include:
- No depictions of winning or immense wealth
- Obligatory safe gambling messages
- No depictions of winning or immense wealth
- No targeting of vulnerable demographics
2. Automatic referral to problem gambling organizations
It is not common at all for regulators to mandate that an ‘’information package’’ be offered to gamblers who request or revoke their self-exclusion. Yet, such a practice does not exist for automatically referring clients to gambling addiction help centers.
The lack of such safe gambling measures is a considerable oversight. That’s because the self-exclusion only addresses gambling addiction’s symptoms.
Important things to consider regarding your funds after self-exclusion
So, you have decided to self-exclude from a specific platform, and you don’t know what will happen to your funds. Well, you must not worry about this aspect at all. You should not worry about losing or forfeiting your funds.
Do you have any pending wagers? If so, then they will be returned to the account balance. Then, the casino will remit your remaining balance to the last method used to withdraw.
PLEASE NOTE
If the payment method is no longer available or in use, you will be contacted by the support team. You will be asked the details of another financial account.
Account closure and self-exclusion – What’s the difference?
Self-exclusion is a process that restrains gamblers from accessing and using an online casino. It describes the policy enacted by betting sites as a method of addressing problem gambling. As we mentioned earlier, self-exclusion can either be made by the gambler itself or by the online casino at its request.
Moreover, the exclusion can be made on only one platform, several sites, or even on all gambling platforms. Since we have already talked in detail about this theme, we will continue by offering some useful details about the account closure theme.
About account closure
So, you have been gambling for a while and you have decided that it is time to stop. You want to close an account and end your membership.
Account closure is a very easy process, and almost all casinos offer a simple way to terminate your account. Yet, there are several methods through which you can close your account.
In general, online platforms reserve the right to close an account if the gambler breaches terms & conditions. They also make this choice if the gambler is found to be engaging in any form of illegal activity.
PLEASE NOTE
When a casino closes your account, you actually run the risk of losing any funds remaining.
Moreover, you will not be able to reopen your account. Here is how you can close an account and several other options that may be an excellent choice if you want to continue gambling:
Voluntary account closure
If the casino you are playing at doesn’t meet your needs anymore, then you have the option to close your account. This can easily be done by contacting the support team. This voluntary option will allow you to withdraw the remaining funds.
Plus, when choosing to close an account, you will be allowed to reopen it in the future. This is available only if you don’t exclude yourself because of gambling issues.
Termination by the casino
Remember that no matter what online casino you are playing at, you must always respect the terms & conditions. Any breach of these terms may result in immediate termination by the platform. Online casinos have the right to cancel an account at any time. In many situations, this happens due to the following reasons:
- Underage gamblers
- Gamblers with multiple accounts on the same casino
- Wrongful use of the platform
- Incorrect or false information provided on registration
Excellent alternatives for substituting gambling
Avoiding triggers are excellent methods to deal with gambling addiction. Yet, to highly improve you’re your state, you must look for some healthy alternatives to gambling. If you replace gambling behaviors with some positive activities, your focus will be on the good.
Some positive gambling alternatives include:
- Meditation – Meditation can help you be more relaxed and reduce stress and anxiety caused by gambling;
- Traveling – If you travel, you actually keep yourself busy. Therefore, you won’t have time anymore to gamble. Plus, your life will improve and so will your mental and emotional state;
- Spending time with family and friends – Spending time with your dear ones will help you focus on positive and good emotions. If you can also talk to them about your problem, then your situation will improve even more;
- Volunteering – When you help people you feel good. Gambling can create a vicious circle if you don’t know when to stop. If you are dealing with problem gambling and you want to end this activity, then volunteering will keep you occupied.
- Exploring new and exciting hobbies – There are certainly a few things you would like to try. Your hobbies make you feel good. They offer relaxation and great satisfaction as well.
- Regular physical activity – A regular physical activity will help you stay healthy, physically and mentally as well. Stress and anxiety caused by problem gambling will highly be reduced.
Useful methods for delaying your gambling session
Overcoming the gambling problem is not easy. Yet, it is not impossible. Once ended the gambling activity, the ongoing task is to actually stay stopped. For many problem gamblers, an abstinence-based approach to recovery is necessary to enjoy a positive life.
Let’s take a look at some of the best ways for delaying your gambling session.
1. Remind yourself that losses always happen in gambling
It is very important to remind yourself of this thing. Also, note that discipline is essential for obtaining a positive result. In its absence, you will almost for sure lose your money.
2. Identify self-sabotage cues
Your health is precious. Your life is even more precious. It is essential to understand that any urge to play is just a temporary menace.
3. Find something completely different to do
Now that you have decided to stop gambling, you need to continue stimulating your brain. Therefore, you must try to set yourself new goals and tasks every single day to keep your brain busy with positive things.
The bottom line
Gambling addiction can be seen as a failure to bond. It is more than important that once you notice that you are spending too much time on gambling, stop this activity. Alternatively, you can ask for help at Gamblers Anonymous.
REMEMBER
You are not alone and you can always overcome such an unpleasant situation with the right help!