It is our goal to provide a safe, entertaining, and exciting online gaming platform for our players to use for their personal enjoyment. We take this responsibility seriously, and we think it shows. However, in order for online gaming to remain the enjoyable hobby that it is for so many people, it is important for players to play responsibly.
Playing responsibly means managing your own limits and staying within your personal comfort zone. For most players, this is simply a matter of budgeting their money and making a conscious decision to stick to that budget.
However, for some people, gaming can change from a fun pastime into a serious problem. We want to increase awareness of gambling problems and help our players learn the warning signs. We also want to reassure our players that there are resources available to help if they need them.
Warning Signs
Many people, even those who regularly bet large sums on games, safely enjoy gambling with no negative effects. On the other hand, even players who only play once in a while and stick to small bets may suffer from the consequences of a gambling disorder. Gambling problems can be difficult to recognize.
The American Psychiatric Association has developed criteria that can indicate a problem. The following questions are based on this criteria:
- Do you find that you need to keep increasing the amount you spend in order to fully enjoy yourself?
- When you try to play less or stop playing altogether, do you feel restless or irritable?
- Have you tried without success to control your gaming or to stop playing?
- Do you notice that your mind is on gaming when you should be attending to family, social, or work responsibilities?
- Do you play as a way to make yourself feel better when you are sad or upset?
- When you lose, do you bet more money in the hope that you will make up for your losses?
- Do you feel you have to be dishonest with your loved ones about how often you play or how much you spend?
- Have you ever lost a partner or a job over gambling? Have your grades ever suffered because of it?
- Have you ever had to borrow money or accept a gift to pay for something because you spent the money gambling?
Many players will answer yes to one or two of these questions. However, answering yes to three or more can be an indication of a gambling disorder. The more yes answers a player has, the more severe the problem may be.
Resources
Many areas now provide free hotlines that can provide you with guidance and resources. Self-help groups also offer free help. Bettors Anonymous and Gamblers Anonymous are two examples that have helped countless people. You can also see a therapist, counselor, or psychologist for information and guidance. There are many government programs that may be able to help you pay for help. Just as a gambling disorder can strike anyone, these resources can help anyone who desires help.
