It’s almost too easy to give in to the evils of gambling. Mothers, grandmothers, great-grandmothers, have been preaching against the practice for centuries. However, gambling has undergone quite the makeover through the years. While it is still considered a social evil because of its addictive history, gambling is no longer analyzed through a binary lens. Gambling is quickly gaining ground as a recreational activity, a source of entertainment. Think of websites like online-casino.in.
Unfortunately, as hard as gambling tries to shed its old skin the issue of problem gambling remains. This refers to certain individuals who are unable to shake off gambling’s hold on them. These are individuals whose stories are told in bars, cafes, and sometimes even the family dinner table.
Addiction is no joke, however, gambling finds it particularly hard to separate itself from its evil twin. Take alcohol, for example. Sure, problem drinkers exist, yet drinking alcohol is barely considered a problem. We do understand the dangers of drinking irresponsibly, maybe its time we gambled responsibly too.
So how does responsible gambling work?
DO NOT DIP INTO YOUR KID’S COLLEGE FUND
It is very easy to get carried away at the roulette table. Problem gamblers don’t look at the casino in the same way as the recreational gambler. The problem gambler, if they’re losing, would want to play more to win back the money they lost. No matter the cost. The recreational gambler, however, may be able to identify the cost of carrying on.
Making a separate fund for your gambling urges may be a great idea to ensure that all is not, suddenly, lost. This is the money the player can “afford to lose”. This fund may be envisioned as the cost of a night at the casino, the amount of money the player can plan to lose. This way the player sets a monetary limit to their gambling activities and avoids hurting themselves or the people in their lives.
ALERT THE AUTHORITIES
Several countries around the world have extended the option of a self-exclusion program for its citizens. This is a voluntary program and requires the active participation of the player. The gambling enthusiast signs a contract that essentially prohibits their participation in gambling activities for a fixed period of time.
If the player violates the terms of the self-exclusion ban they may be penalized. The ban requires gambling operators to ensure that self excluded gamblers are not allowed into venues. The failure to do so may result in fines levied on these operators.
Both the gambler and the casino may be fined for the violation of this agreement. Countries like the UK, Australia, US and Switzerland have ensured that the program is free of cost and compliance is asserted.
MAY THE BEST COMPUTER WIN
Recent technological advancements have made computers a lot smarter. Now how does a competitive computer make a sustainable gambling habit? For starters, a competitive game may help induce a psychological shift for problem gamblers. Additionally, casinos may benefit from a more equitable probability of winning or losing depending on the kind of player
DO YOUR RESEARCH
This is probably the best advice anyone could give. When gambling online or even offline, taking some extra time to vet betting sites and gambling platforms may very well prove to be the most useful thing a regular gambler can do.
The onslaught of new betting sites and online casinos makes gambling a lot more accessible to people. The lack of proper licenses and positive reviews should pop up as red flags when choosing to invest money on such sites. Minimal research can help gamblers get the most out of their buck instead of sinking it all down an unverified website.
QUIT WHILE YOU’RE STILL AHEAD
Quitting has been a bone of contention for many, especially problem gamblers. In fact, one of the mainstays of problem gambling behavior is the inability to quit till they’re forced to. Now, this isn’t just a gambling problem. Society has harped on about losers predominantly being quitters and while that is not healthy for non-gamblers it is doubly so for problem gamblers.
Quitting isn’t about losing. In gambling, quitting is probably the best way to ensure that you’re winning. Knowing when to get your head out of the game is a skill that many have grappled with. Stock markets pose quite a pretty example. Sure you could win some more, but you could also lose some more. Weigh the pros and cons and get some distance from the game if you’re not sure, especially if you’re not sure.
CONCLUSION
Gambling feels a lot like walking into the lion’s den given its history. However, it doesn’t have to be this way. Players can come up with various strategies to ensure that their gambling habits are not as detrimental as they are projected to be. It may take time for both establishments and players to gamble responsibly. However, it is not impossible. After all, “Nobody has ever bet enough on a winning horse”.
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