Why is February 17th International Responsible Gambling Day?
The world lines up each year on February 17th to commemorate World Responsible Gambling Day. It serves to raise awareness among the global population about the adverse effects of gambling and online gaming addiction.
In order to encourage ethical gambling, International Responsible Gambling Day cultivates and upholds constructive behavioral patterns and philosophical principles.
Additionally, the goal is to inform people about the serious consequences of addiction to gambling games, the casino world, bets, and online gambling. Gaming always should be fun and entertaining rather than addictive.
Why is International Responsible Gambling Day commemorated?
This event was commemorated for the first time in 2008 by the European Gaming and Betting Asocciation-EGBA.
This date corresponds to a UNESCO agreement to promote the prevention of disorders caused by gambling and online games, which are increasingly affecting people at younger ages.
Also, to help spread the word on the consequences of uncontrolled and illegal gambling.
Compulsive Gambling is not a game
Uncontrolled behavior and compulsive game-playing are hallmarks of the addictive disorder or illness known as compulsive gambling.
It is a sickness, not a vice, and should be treated as such. It has a negative impact on personal, family, and professional lives as it particularly impacts younger people.
The American Psychological Society (APA) has classified pathological gambling as a condition. The following are some traits that compulsive gamblers frequently exhibit:
- Having an intense need to play, either to boost mood or to avoid problems.
- Making larger or more frequent bets to keep experiencing the same emotion or state of euphoria
- Showing irritation and loss of control in the event of something like the intention to end the game.
- Obtaining money by any means, whether legal or illegal, in order to play or make up for losses.
- Keeping those who are in their immediate circle in the dark about the amount of money that is directed to the game.
There are certain telltale signs of game addiction. However, they can be hard to spot:
- Time spent gambling includes absences from work and home, as well as excessive use of a computer or mobile device.
- Problems with money like unexplainable losses, bribes, or even robberies, to keep playing.
- Sudden changes in humor, or major changes in personality throughout time.
- Changes in behavior include becoming distracted from work, being sidetracked from routine tasks, and becoming more apathetic toward others.
- Dishonest behavior like concealing things such as lost items and even questionable actions.
Gambling addiction progresses through the following stages:
- The gamer is more mindful of their profits than their losses at this stage.
- When a player falls into a state of desperation, they stop tracking how much money they have lost.
- The player accepts his or her dependency on the game.
What to do when someone has trouble with gambling:
Ask the person you are worried about their gambling behavior. You can’t foresee how they’ll respond, but you can let them know you’re asking because you care.
You can express the fact that their gambling is impacting others, that they should seek professional help, that there are assistance resources available, and that treatment makes things better for everyone.
Types of help available:
Psychotherapy, medication, and support groups are the three basic methods for managing gambling issues.
A person who has a gambling problem can uncover mental patterns that contribute to and support the problem and change them with more wholesome beliefs with the use of cognitive behavioral therapy and behavior therapy.
Support and assistance in resolving game-related issues:
- The National Gambling Helpline is available 24/7 for free, confidential advice on 0808 8020 133 or live chat at https://www.begambleaware.org/
You’ll need these tools for a risk-free gaming
When playing casino games for the first time it’s almost natural to get carried away by the chance of winning large sums of money and ignore the fundamental elements that are essential for success.
We want each and every one of our players to travel the path of gaming responsibly and safely, and here is a list of constructive routines and tools you can use to be in control of the highs and lows associated with gambling.
Review your game
You may see your gaming expenses, the games you’ve enjoyed playing, and much more with just one glance. With just one click, access your play, deposits, and cashouts history.
Set a spending limit for gaming
The first step in creating a budget for gaming is figuring out how much money you can realistically spend on it.
Before proceeding, consider how much you wish to wager ensuring that it is an amount you can afford to lose in case luck does not smile at you, so your economy does not get hurt.
Make a decision on a specific spending limit whether it is only for a night, for a week, a month, or for a specific tournament, and split it by the number of wagers you will make in that period.
Spend only what you initially set aside; never go over that amount.
Do not spend borrowed money
One of the worst things you can do is ask for borrowed money to place bets because it rarely works out well. Never use money set aside for other expenses like petrol, bills, etc.
Avoid trying to recover from losses
Never try to recuperate lost funds; to do so usually only makes the situation worse and compounds your losses. The best course of action is to take a break and come back later.
International Responsible Gambling Day’s Drive Carries on as a Yearlong Effort
Every year, the gaming industry invests millions of dollars in initiatives aimed at promoting responsible gaming.
These initiatives include financial assistance for research, consumer and stakeholder education materials, and regular employee training.
As industry stakeholders, we contribute to International Responsible Gambling Day by increasing the understanding of the early stages and warning indications of how a player develops gambling problems and strategies for reducing adverse effects
As casino operators, we believe that it is important for everyone to acquire knowledge about responsible gambling habits, how to spot the warning signals of distress that can indicate destructive behavior, and how to find out who to contact for assistance.
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