Responsible Gambling: Gamble for Fun and Not Harm

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. We are not medical professionals, therapists, or addiction specialists. If you or someone you know is struggling with gambling addiction, we strongly encourage you to seek help from qualified professionals and support organisations. Gambling can be harmful if not approached responsibly, so always gamble for entertainment purposes and stay aware of your limits.

Gambling is a popular hobby or pastime for many, but it can lead to bad and dangerous habits for some. That is why it is important to treat gambling as a form of entertainment and nothing more. By utilising effective responsible gambling practices, players have a better chance of controlling how much they bet and preventing the development of addiction and financial stress.

If you’re struggling with gambling addiction or perhaps know somebody else who is, help is available. Please reach out to prominent organisations for guidance and support.

What is Responsible Gambling?

Responsible gambling is about using gambling for fun and entertainment’s sake. It is risking money you can afford to lose for enjoyment and not a form of income.

It is using spare money that is not required to pay bills or other important expenses to play games that could win money. Winning is nothing more than a bonus to somebody practising responsible gambling. They place the bet knowing and accepting they could lose.

Gambling can become a problem for some when they start to use gambling as a way to make money or start risking more money than they can afford to lose. At its core, playing responsibly comes down to making smart and informed decisions.

• Having the self-awareness to know your spending limits and to recognise when you might have developed a habit.
• Setting and sticking to strict financial and time limits you have set for yourself.
• Understanding that gambling should never become more important than essential life activities or your relationships.

Failure to achieve any of the above could lead a person down a dangerous path. Gambling addiction can destroy lives and relationships, so being informed is your first defence.

Symptoms of Gambling Addiction

Compulsive gambling is the uncontrollable urge to continue gambling despite the consequences it can have on your life. You convince yourself that by risking something of value, you will increase its value when you win. The problem is, there is no guarantee you’ll win. Similar to other addictions, gambling brings a high when a result comes our way. That stimulation and your brain’s desire for it can lead to gambling addiction.

If you’re struggling with compulsive gambling, you might chase losses using money you cannot afford and create debt you might struggle to pay back. Below are some of the most common symptoms to look out for if you believe you have a gambling problem:

• Always being far too preoccupied with gambling: Constantly thinking about your next bets and how you can secure more money to place those bets.
• Regularly increasing the size or quantity of bets you place: You’re upping the ante in search of a better thrill than before.
• Have tried but failed to control your gambling: You’ve realised you have a problem and tried to curtail your gambling activities but without success.
• You’re gambling to escape other problems: You might use gambling to numb the feelings of helplessness or depression.
• You’re chasing losses: When you’ve lost money you cannot afford to lose but make it worse by risking more in an attempt to win it back.
• Hiding your addiction: You regularly lie to friends and family about the extent of your gambling.
• Looking for other ways to find money to fund your gambling habit: You constantly ask others for financial help or sell possessions to get more money to gamble with.

Casual gamblers recognise how much money they have to play with and can afford to lose. They know when it’s time to call it quits and cut their losses.

Problem gamblers who are using money meant for more important needs are instead compelled to keep betting in an attempt to recover their money.

That is a pattern that is never likely to end well. It may pay off sometimes but over a long period of time, it only makes matters worse. It can even lead a gambler to crime as a source of money, whether theft or fraud. It is time to act if you recognise any of the above symptoms in yourself or somebody you know.

Practical Tips for Responsible Gambling

Gambling heavily favours the house. While you can get lucky from time to time, you’re likely to lose more often than you win.

To stay safe and to help prevent developing a gambling problem, use the following strategies.

• Don’t gamble when stressed or upset. Gambling is never the solution, whether as a way to make money or to distract yourself from other issues.
• Never gamble under the influence of drugs or alcohol. It can lead to poor decision-making.
• Understand the games or bets you’re placing.
• Set spending and time limits. Do this yourself or use the tools many of the best Irish casinos and sportsbooks provide.
• Don’t become preoccupied with gambling. Take breaks by walking around or doing something else.
• Set a budget and stick to it. Set aside spare money that’s not needed for anything else each month.
• Never chase losses. Always expect to lose and treat wins as a bonus.
• Never use gambling as a form of income or rely on it for financial needs.

One of the biggest tips we can give is to use responsible gambling tools. As per licensing regulations, online gambling platforms are required to promote responsible gambling and provide effective tools.

Those platforms may offer limits you can set on deposits, losses, and bets. Others may let you apply timers to your sessions, while you could also set up Cool-Off periods where you cannot access your account.

The final option is self-exclusion. You can temporarily or permanently restrict access to your betting account.

Resources: Support and Help

Ireland offers a range of resources for those struggling with gambling addiction. Many are offered free and are completely confidential.

If you think you have a gambling addiction or suspect someone you know is struggling, please contact one or more of the following organisations:

Another option is to use organisations like GAMSTOP, which can permanently block your access to gambling sites. They also offer tools that monitor your gambling activity or even restrict transactions you’re trying to make.

Therapies for Gambling Addiction

There are many different therapies offered via the gambling addiction organisations mentioned throughout this article. Some work better with some and vice versa.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

CBT is designed to break the thought patterns of those with gambling addiction. For instance, a gambler may believe they’re due a win after a run of losses. CBT educates the players that there is no such thing as being due a win and that every bet is independent of one another. Furthermore, every bet is always in the favour of the house.

Motivational Counselling

This therapy helps individuals build resilience and set achievable recovery goals. It puts the focus on the individuals struggling with gambling addiction to alter their gambling behaviour and overcome their addiction.

Self-help Groups

Gamblers Anonymous specialises in this approach to all kinds of addiction. Some addicts react better when speaking to others with similar problems. It helps them to realise they’re not alone and that others are struggling.

Medications

Sometimes an addiction is a symptom of deeper mental problems. Gambling is often used as a way to combat other issues or distract from other problems. Antidepressants and mood stabilisers may help treat problems that often go along with compulsive gambling.

If you’re seeking help, you may find that one particular therapy works best for you. Alternatively, you could consider a combination of the above to beat your addiction.

Either way, you’ll not know until you try. Reach out for help today, and if you’re dedicated enough, you can kick the habit for good!

Gambling Statistics in Ireland

As in many other countries, gambling is deeply ingrained into Irish culture. Most are capable of enjoying it for what it is and gambling responsibly. However, problems emerge for a small percentage of gamblers across the country.

The biggest areas of concern are the following:

• Surveys show that close to 65% of Irish adults gamble.
• 2% of those who gamble develop gambling disorders.
• 1 in 10 people gamble irresponsibly.
• Over €5 billion is spent on gambling annually.
• It is believed 100,000 people in Ireland are struggling with gambling addiction.
• 45.5% of people in Ireland with a gambling problem are women.
• Children and young adults aged 15-24 are the most vulnerable to gambling harm.

There are some shocking statistics there. So many people and their families are suffering due to gambling harm.

Best Practices to Avoid Gambling Problems

Understanding the difference between responsible and irresponsible gambling habits is crucial for maintaining a healthy relationship with gambling. Below are the two side-by-side:

Remember, responsible gambling ensures that the experience remains fun and stress-free. If you ever feel it’s becoming too much, don’t hesitate to seek help—it’s always available.

Underage Gambling and Its Prevention

Younger minds are more prone to the excitement of gambling. That feeling of winning is addictive but can lead to bad habits forming from an early age. Particularly with the increased popularity of sports betting and online casinos in the country.

Preventing underage gambling is something that can only be achieved collectively. Parents and guardians must monitor and correctly guide and educate their children about the dangers of gambling. Furthermore, the gambling industry must take steps to prevent minors from accessing their sites.

Among the biggest tips we can give to parents, is to make use of parental controls on devices throughout the house. Another is to use website blocking software to prevent children from accessing online gambling sites.

As for the gambling industry, there are already many KYC (Know Your Customer) regulations in place that require gambling sites to perform checks on those who play at their platforms. When registering, new members are required to complete ID checks to verify their identity.

If you’re a parent who believes their underage child has been exposed to gambling and has developed a problem, act now. Contact Irish gambling addiction resources such as Dunlewey Addiction Services and GambleCare to seek the advice and support that you and your child need.

Quick Access to Help

The main message we’re trying to convey through this article is you’re not alone. If you’re in need of help, support is available around the clock.

We cannot stress enough how important it is to seek help as soon as possible. Addiction is tough to crack, but with the right support, you can take back control of your life.

• Extern Problem Gambling Ireland: Visit their website.
• GamblingCare: Explore their resources.

The first step is the hardest to take, but it’s time to take it. Get the guidance and support you need.