It would be remiss of us if we didn't acknowledge the 'skeleton in the closet' of online gambling and that is the very real problem of gambling addiction.
There is a huge amount of misinformation, rumour, scaremongering and hearsay about this genuine problem so in this article, we'll aim to bring you the facts about gambling addiction and how online casinos, certainly the most reputable ones, will do their utmost to help people suffering with this debilitating problem and lastly, how you can recognise the signs if you feel you may be at risk of gambling addiction.
What is the scale of gambling addiction?
The first thing to consider when thinking about gambling addiction is just how big a problem it is. The one crumb of comfort to take from here is that the vast majority of the general public are considered to be at low risk of a gambling problem. Statistics on this matter vary depending on when and where research was conducted but a tough estimate suggests that between up to 90% of typical gamblers are low risk
However this does not mean that 10 percent of gamblers are addicts. It is very difficult to place exact figures on the problem given that research tends to be geographically based, whereas online players can come from all over the world, plus what is viewed as "at risk" behaviour in some studies, may not be viewed as such in others.
What it is safe to say is that the majority of casino users are at low risk of gambling addiction, a small number are at risk and may need to watch their habits and a very small percentage of people are either addicted to gambling, or worse still, pathologically addicted to it.
In truth, the numbers matter little. What is important is that there are a small number of people who are suffering from the effects of problem gambling, or are addicted to gambling. What kind of support can they expect to receive?
What do online casinos do about problem gambling?
The logical view of a casinos approach to problem gambling is to assume that they would welcome such a person with open arms. After all, a problem gambler is likely to wager more and lose more, thus contribute more to a casino's profits. Surely it makes fiscal sense for casinos to sweep the issue of problem gamblers under the nearest slot machine and pretend that it doesn't exist?
Fortunately, that is not the case. All reputable casinos will have certain practices and limits in place to try and minimise the chances of anybody being affected by gambling addiction. This starts by imposing limits on how much a player can deposit into their account on any given day. Some casinos also allow players to define their own limits both on how much they deposit and how much they can bet over a stated period of time.
A casino may also contact a player about their gambling if a review of their account leads them to suspect a player may have an issue. In addition, a player can also take a hiatus from a casino by self-excluding them from gaming. If a player does this, then they cannot then rescind this decision and must wait for the time scale to expire (if they wish it to at all) before they can gamble again on the site.
In addition, casinos will also provide information about groups that can help people who suspect that they may have a gambling problem, as well as offering further guidance and assistance to help the individual deal with the problem.
Far from being a 'blank cheque' for casinos, top online casinos recognise that problem gambling does nothing to enhance their credibility, nor the experience for the user suffering. As such, every reasonable precaution is taken to help customers wherever possible to ensure that their gambling on site remains safe and manageable.
What is gambling addiction?
Gambling addiction is also known as problem gambling as addiction sometimes gives the impression that it is a gambler who gambles repeatedly that is the issue. Technically, this is not always the case.
While some gamblers with problems do display addictive behaviour, by repeatedly gambling when they should have stopped some time previously, others display destructive behaviour by gambling infrequently, but with money that is either more than they can afford to lose, or is earmarked for other purposes (such as paying bills, rent etc).
Essentially, a gambling problem is when somebody gambles in a way where they lack the self-control to stop if they lose the money they can afford to lose, and continue betting in the hope of recouping their losses, often running up large debts as a result.
Gambling addiction causes more problems for the sufferer than merely financial too. They may spend hours away from friends and family gambling online or at the casino, relationships can break down. Friends and relatives may become concerned about their welfare and of course, it has an effect on their self-esteem and mental state too.
Gambling addiction is more than just uncontrolled repeated wagering. It can manifest itself in many different ways and has many debilitating effects for the player.
Recognising gambling addiction
Fortunately, you are not likely to suffer from gambling addiction, but could you recognise the signs that you are? Here's a quick list of some warning signs that could mean you are on the way towards becoming a problem gambler.
If you answer yes to any of these questions then you need to think carefully about your gambling habits and perhaps take a little time out away from the casino to address these issues.
Fortunately, for the vast majority, gambling is a fun, enjoyable past time that can be enjoyed for what it is. The chance to win a bit of extra cash by playing games. With a healthy attitude to gambling, using cash you can afford to lose and with a sense of perspective of where gambling fits into your life, the vast majority of casino customers can enjoy problem-free gambling.
And for those that can't, there is always support and help available online. A quick google search reveals several websites.
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