According to mayoclinic.org, addictive gambling is the uncontrollable urge to continue gambling despite the serious problems it creates.
It means that you are willing to risk something you value hoping that you will get something even more valuable. You will hide your behaviour, accumulate debts, or even resort to theft to continue with your addiction.
This activity has the power to stimulate the brain’s reward system, just like it happens with alcohol or drugs. If you deal with compulsive gambling, then you may continue gambling even if you lose.
There is no doubt that compulsive gambling is a very serious problem. It is a condition that can even destroy lives. It is true that treating this addiction is quite challenging, but it is not impossible.
There is a high number of gamblers who struggle with compulsive gambling. Yet, many of them have found help through professional treatment.
RECOMMENDATION
The best thing you can do is to limit the time you spend on gambling. Self-exclusion is one of the best options for dealing with gambling addiction.
Signs of compulsive gambling
- Trying to control or even stop gambling without success
- Constantly planning to gamble in order to earn more money
- Feeling restless or nervous when you do not gamble anymore
- Gambling to escape personal problems
- Hiding the addiction from your family and friends
- Resorting to theft and even fraud just to get gambling money
- Losing your relationships and even your friends or your job
- Asking for money to keep gambling
Risk factors
The experts from Mayo Clinic found out that there are many people who gamble and they never develop a gambling problem. Yet, they say that some factors are associated with compulsive gambling.
- Age - This type of addiction is more common in younger people. Gambling during the teenage years increases quite a lot the risk of developing compulsive gambling.
- Family or friend influence - If someone in your family or if any of your friends has a gambling problem, then chances are greater that you will too.
- Certain personality characteristics - Being an impulsive, highly competitive, or workaholic can increase your risk of compulsive gambling.
Gambling addiction can have serious and long-lasting consequences, such as:
- Poor general health
- Financial and legal problems
- Relationship problems
- Poor work performance or even job loss
Self-Exclusion - Definition and Overview
Self-exclusion means that you can ask the casinos to exclude you from gambling with them.
There is for a certain length of time, usually between six and twelve months. In some situations, it can even be up to five years.
Self-Exclusion can be used when you think you have a gambling problem and you need help to stop.
How it works
- You will be excluded from gambling for a minimum six-month period
- It is necessary to offer proof of identity including a photo
- You will be removed from the marketing databases until the exclusion period has expired
- You will not be allowed to leave the scheme until the exclusion period has ended
- Leaving the scheme after the self-exclusion period expires means that you will not be automatically added to any marketing databases
When joining this theme, you are agreeing that:
- All the provided information will be shared only with operators within the specific scheme
- You will not be allowed to gamble anymore on those venues from which you have self-excluded
How to self-exclude
You have the option to self-exclude from a separate casino or multiple platforms. There are multiple types of exclusion, such as:
1. Self-exclusion from just one gambling website or app
- Go to the online casino you want to self-exclude from
- Look for the ’’Responsible Gambling’’ or ’’Safer Gambling’’ page
- Follow the steps mentioned there for self-exclusion
- If you don’t know exactly how to do this, then contact the customer service
2. Self-exclusion from one arcade, betting shop, or casino
- Go to the website you want to self-exclude from
- Talk to a member of staff or the manager about your wish
- There is no need to take any money with you
- Make sure you have a few passport-size photos to help the staff identify you
- Remember to get a copy of your self-exclusion form
3. Self-exclusion from all gambling websites
If you want to self-exclude from all gambling websites, then we recommend you visit GAMSTOP. This platform enables UK and NI residents to exclude themselves from all gambling casinos. Note that these casinos are the ones being operated in the UK.
The self-exclusion can either be done for 6 months, 1 year, or 5 years. Yet, all online gambling platforms must offer a facility for gamblers to self-exclude themselves from that company.
This option is usually found in the ’’Responsible Gambling’’ or ’’Safer Gambling’’ section of their platform. Also, make sure you check out your account page. If you need help, don’t hesitate and call customer service or email them.
Other apps that can help with self-exclusion:
General Information – for blocking online gambling
There are many strong reasons to block gambling websites. If you are using Internet Explorer, then you don’t need to buy special gambling software. You can easily block gambling platforms by changing your browser’s settings.
Here is the step-by-step process you need to follow:
- Open the Internet Explorer Browser.
- Click on the item that says ‘’Tools’’, which is located on the top right of the browser screen.
- At the bottom of the words, you will see the words ‘’Internet Options’’. Click on this.
- Look for the fourth tab that says ‘’Content’’ and click on it.
- Another window will open. At the top of it, you must find the icon and the words ‘’Content Advisor’’. There is the ‘’Enable’’ button. Click on it.
- If the tab ‘’Ratings’’ is not yet selected, you must select it. Do this by clicking on it. Under ratings, next to the words ‘’Depiction of Gambling’’ you will see an icon. Click on it.
- Underneath the list of items that can be blocked, you will see a slider bar for ‘’Adjust the slider to specify what users are allowed to see’’. There are three settings. If you want to block gambling in all forms, then slide the bar all the way to the left. You need to do this where it reads ‘’None’’.
What you need to do if you opt for the brand exclusion
If you opt for the self-exclusion from a specific platform, you must follow some steps. Note that this feature is usually available on all platforms licensed by the UKGC. This type of exclusion is directly linked to the platform you activate it on.
Yet, sometimes it can be linked with multiple casino brands owned by the same organization.
If you want to self-exclude from a particular site, consider these steps:
1. Log in
2. Find the self-exclusion feature
3. Carefully read the terms and instructions
4. Contact customer support
5. Offer your personal details
6. Select an exclusion timeframe
7. Wait to receive the confirmation
RECOMMENDATION
We suggest carefully reading the responsible gambling policy to determine exactly which one of these two situations is valid.
Methods for successfully blocking mobile gambling
There are also a few apps available to block Android, iPhone, and iPad gambling. Have a look in the app store for gambling block and see what’s in there.
Here is a list of reliable and trustworthy apps you can choose for blocking mobile gambling
- COST2PLAY - This tool helps you understand the long-term costs of popular casino games such as roulette, slots, and blackjack.
- STAY ON TRACK - This tool is free and it will help you a lot when setting a gambling budget.
- QUIT POKIES - Quit Pokies helps gamblers control or stop playing the pokies. Once you install it on your phone, the toll will send you timed reminders and real-time alerts. Plus, it will remind you how much money is lost every day at specific sites you visit.
- NETNANNY - This general blocking software is compatible with Android phones, Windows computers, and ioS.
Regulations in Online Gambling
The gambling industry is huge and very popular these days. Currently, great attention is being placed on responsible gambling. There are lots of important considerations to keep in mind regarding self-exclusion.
Yet, a good understanding of the self-exclusion schemes and the regulatory bodies overseeing them is essential.
The goal of the mandatory self-exclusion scheme
When evaluating a gambler regulator, an important consideration is whether or not they demand their operators to provide a self-exclusion option. This fact reveals the level of concern that authority has for gamblers playing within its jurisdiction.
The good news is that most regulators feature requirements for mandatory responsible gambling tool availability. The next level up is incorporating a national/multi-operator scheme. In fact, this is the best player-care-and-safety option available at the moment.
Implementing the scheme is quite challenging because it requires lots of time and significant financial and human resources.
Post-exclusion player protection
When it comes to the post-exclusion player protection, there are two main points to consider:
1. Marketing bans for self-excluded gamblers
In recent years, limiting all gambling advertising has become quite popular. Common restrictions include:
- No depictions of winning or immense wealth
- Obligatory safe gambling messages
- No depictions of winning or immense wealth
- No targeting of vulnerable demographics
2. Automatic referral to problem gambling organizations
It is not common at all for regulators to mandate that an ‘’information package’’ be offered to gamblers who request or revoke their self-exclusion. Yet, such a practice does not exist for automatically referring clients to gambling addiction help centres.
The lack of such safe gambling measures is a considerable oversight. That’s because the self-exclusion only addresses gambling addiction’s symptoms.
Important things to consider regarding your funds after self-exclusion
So, you have decided to self-exclude from a specific platform, and you don’t know what will happen to your funds. Well, you must not worry about this aspect at all. You should not worry about losing or forfeiting your funds.
Do you have any pending wagers? If so, then they will be returned to the account balance. Then, the casino will remit your remaining balance to the last method used to withdraw.
PLEASE NOTE