Responsible Gaming gambling addiction and the protection of minors

With the growing popularity of online gambling, the need for tools or policies that make the online gambling experience safer is also on the rise. Responsible gaming or responsible gambling is a very broad concept that aims to bring better quality to gambling, improve safety and decrease the chances of developing gambling addiction problems. Responsible gaming does not only refer to gambling addiction but also covers policies that aim to prevent underage individuals (under 18 or 21 years) from gambling.

The concept of responsible gaming can be categorized into 7 main topics:

Gambling problem, gambling addiction, compulsive gambling and gambling disorder are the most common terms used to describe a person who is showing an uncontrollable urge to gamble more and more, overlooking the negative aspects that this might bring to his or her life. A number of studies have shown that addicted gamblers are particularly motivated by the possibility of winning. While most players take up gambling when looking for a fun pastime, others may see it as a means of generating income – and this is where things can go wrong.

We all see advertisements warning us that gambling should not be looked at as a source of income, but should be used for fun and by taking all of the risks into account. A number of studies concluded that gamblers for whom this is a problem not only see gambling as an income-generating activity, but they also overestimate the likelihood of winning, which leads them to spend excessively.

What causes addiction to gambling?

It is not easy to categorize what exactly causes this disorder. Most reasons include a combination of biological, genetic and environmental factors.

Biological factors, our way of thinking and negative social situations can increase the likelihood of developing a gambling addiction. People that have schizophrenia, mood problems, antisocial personality disorder and other addictive behaviors (including abusing drugs and alcohol) are at a higher risk of developing addiction problems.

Risk factors are determinants or variables that increase the possibility of getting a disease, infection, or developing some kind of a condition. When we talk about gambling addiction and what can contribute to developing one we are essentially looking for risk factors.

Who is more susceptible to developing a gambling addiction?

Anyone who gambles is at some risk of developing an addiction, at least to some degree. However, some predetermined risk factors can be connected to problem gambling:

There are some common signs that can be perceived in players who have developed a gambling addiction. When you notice that you might have some of these signs, it is a good time to revise your gambling behavior and take a few precautions. The same is recommended if you wish to help someone close to you address this problem. If you have ever wondered what gambling addiction is, this can give you a hint:

• Obsession: If you are having obsessive thoughts that urge you to gamble more, this might be an alarming sign that you have developed a compulsive gaming disorder. This is a mental illness and can be cured, just like other obsessive-compulsive behaviors.
• Lying about your gambling habit: Lies are becoming a part of your daily habit to hide your addiction (by hiding bank statements, receipts or browser history). In the beginning, problem gamblers will lie to friends or family, but this can evolve into lying to themselves in order to rationalize their spending and playing. This becomes more than a personal problem if it also affects the finances of others around you.
• Desire to gamble is greater than the risk of possible consequences: Despite knowing the possible legal, physical and emotional outcomes you are ready to risk it all for the satisfaction that gambling brings you. Some addicts may go to the extent of financing their gambling illegally, risking losing a job just to play for one more “win” or spending family savings and thus endangering others around them.
• Neglecting the negative effects on your life: Even though you can see the emotional toll it takes on your life (dysfunctional emotions like irritability, anxiety, guilt, and sluggishness) you are prepared to trade a win for your mental health. Other negative effects include difficulty maintaining relationships, problems at work and financial problems.

Other clear signs of gambling addiction include, but are not limited to:

• Gambling with more money than you have.
• Expressing guilt after gambling and concern that you are unable to stop.
• Being ready to commit theft just to finance your gambling.
• Chasing losses (trying to recoup the lost money by gambling even more).
• Using gambling as a way of escaping reality (or certain feelings).
• Inability to stop gambling – unsuccessful attempts to cut back on gambling or to stop gambling eventually bring you back to old habits.

It is important to identify gambling addition signs in yourself or in a person close to you. That way you can start working towards quitting gambling. When your loved one, a close family member or friend is showing many of the signs mentioned above it is crucial that you offer support so that they can start treating this disorder. If responsible gaming tools are not of significant help, it is recommended to seek professional help (psychologists, mental health professionals, support groups or help centers).

In the responsible gaming area, some of the most helpful treatments in fighting gambling addiction are:

• Therapy: Most widely used is CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) which teaches you to use your urges as a strength to resist gambling by exposing you to your own behavior (in a controlled way).
• Medications: The majority of prescribed medications involved in the treatment of compulsive gambling include antidepressants, mood stabilizers and narcotic antagonists (usually prescribed for treating substance abuse).
• Support groups or gambling addiction helpline: These can be found online or in your local community. Most online casinos also have a separate category for responsible gaming where they provide links to websites that specialize in this. Most known international online sites where you can find support groups or a gambling helpline are listed below.

Acknowledging the situation and admitting to yourself, “Yes, I have a gambling problem, I can’t stop gambling,” is the hardest part – but it also shows that you are brave enough to face the facts and focus on treating your gambling addiction.

I strongly advise you to seek help from professionals and to learn how to help someone with gambling addiction before administering any form of help or treatment to yourself or someone else. The above list can be a good start.

Since they realize the importance of gambling treatment and prevention of gambling addiction, most online casinos are nowadays expanding the responsible gaming tools that they offer to their players. Most casinos provide at least the option of self exclusion, while some also support loss- and wager limits.

These are the responsible gaming tools that can be found across online casinos and will help you prevent and stop gambling addiction:

• Self exclusion: the most common tool used in online casinos and a tool that should be present in every casino. This option allows you to close your account for a certain period of time (mostly between 6 or 24 months and up to 5 years).
• Cooling off period: This is essentially the shorter version of self exclusion; 24 hours up to a few days (usually 3-7).
• Deposit limit: limiting the amount of money that you can deposit daily, weekly, or monthly. When you reach a specific deposit limit you will not be able to deposit more in that period.
• Time alert: helps you keep track of time by alerting you at certain pre-set time periods (informing you about your sessions and balance changes).
• Wager limit: limiting the amount of money that you can wager on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis. When you reach the pre-set wager limit you will not be able to wager anymore.
• Loss limit: works on the same principle as wager limit, but focuses specifically on losses.
• Reality check: appears as a pop-up window, reminding you of your activity (how long you have been playing and how much you have won/lost and wagered).
• Session limit: a variant of the “reality check” function, where you get a reminder of your activity and are automatically logged out after a pre-set activity time.
• Self-assessment: By taking a short test you get an insight into which areas of your life are currently affected by gambling and you receive a recommended list of responsible gaming tools that can help you.
• Permanent account closure: Of course, this should be available by default and most casinos apply it through their email support. It allows you to close your account and terminate all connections and contacts with the casino.

Gambling may sound fun for minors, especially when they are teenagers. Parents may often think that it is too soon to even imagine that gambling could be an issue for their kids, but by the age of 15, most children have gambled at least once. This is why underage gambling plays a big role in responsible gaming. It is important to educate your children that this is a serious offense which can appear in their criminal record. If you are a parent and you are concerned for a minor in your family, here are a few tools and websites you can use to help:

• 1 % adults with severe gambling problems: Approximately 1 percent of adult population in the United States have a severe gambling problem.
• 23x higher risk in alcoholics: The likelihood of developing a gambling addiction increases 23x for people who abuse alcohol.
• > 80 % yearly gamblers: Over 80 percent of American adults gamble on a yearly basis.
• 3-5 % gamblers with a problem: Three to five gamblers out of every hundred struggle with a gambling problem.
• 750,000 addicted minors: As many as 750,000 young people in the US aged 14 to 21 are addicted to gambling.
• 2.9 % female gamblers with severe gambling problems: Among women who reported instances of gambling in the US, 2.9 % are found to be problem gamblers.
• 4.2 % male gamblers with severe gambling problems: Among men who reported instances of gambling in the US, 4.2 % are found to be problem gamblers.

Source: FHE Health, addictions.com, NCRG