Did you know gambling can become an addiction same as drugs and alcohol? And that Gambling is more than going to the casino. It’s the lottery, scratch tickets, sports polls, Bingo and pull tabs at community festivals-to name a few. And now we have online gambling-you don’t have to leave your home. The rates for online gambling have soared during the pandemic.
For some people-particularly those with a history of addiction or a mental health problem- there is a higher risk for becoming addicted to gambling. Symptoms are similar to those of a substance addiction-including-loss of control, lying, becoming irritable or restless when trying to cut down.
It’s important to learn all you can about problem gambling. And to keep it safe, follow these Rules of responsible gaming:
1. If you choose to gamble, do so for entertainment purposes.
If your gambling is no longer an enjoyable activity then ask yourself why you are still “playing”?
2. Treat the money you lose as the cost of your entertainment. Treat any winnings as a bonus.
3. Set a dollar limit and stick to it.
Decide before you go what you can “afford” to lose & how much you want to spend. Do not change your mind after losing.
4. Set a time limit and stick to it.
Decide how much of your time you want to allow for gambling. Leave when you reach the time limit whether you are winning or losing.
5. Expect to lose.
The odds are that you will lose.
6. Make it a private rule not to gamble on credit.
Do not borrow money to gamble.
7. Create balance in your life.
Gambling should not interfere with or substitute for friends, family, work or other worthwhile activities.
8. Avoid “chasing” lost money.
Chances are the more you try to recoup your losses the larger your losses will be.
9. Don’t gamble as a way to cope with emotional or physical pain.
Gambling for reasons other than entertainment can lead to problems.
10. Become educated about warning signs of problem gambling.
The more you know, the better choices you can make.
Do you have a problem….find out using the link below.
Do I Have a Gambling Problem? | Council on Compulsive Gambling of PA (pacouncil.com)
If you believe you or a loved one has a problem, help is available:
Helpline 1-800-Gambler 1-800-426-2537
Gambler’s Anonymous www.gamblersanonymous.org
Gamanon www.gam-anon.org
Council on Compulsive Gambling of Pennsylvania www.pacouncil.com
National Council on Problem Gambling www.ncpgambling.org
Call 1-800-522-4700
Chat ncpgambling.org/chat
Text 1-800-522-4700