Gaming can always be both fun and engaging, but it can also be addictive. Here you can learn all about gambling addiction and what you can do about it!
Gambling Hazards: A Simple Guide
Gaming has become an increasingly popular pastime in recent years, with more and more people taking advantage of the various online casinos available. The gambling experience in online casinos provides a generous display of a variety of games to play with.
There are various casino sites and casino games everywhere on the internet today. These casino games come with a winning advantage in the form of casino bonuses, slot games, free spins, and promotions.
It’s true that online gambling can be both entertaining and profitable; however, it also carries the risk of becoming an addiction if it's used excessively or when one feels powerless over one's gambling habits.
So, continue reading as we will explore some of the potential gaming hazards and provide tips on how to avoid them.
What Are Gambling Hazards?
Gambling, according to Oxford Dictionary, is the intentional risking and possible gain of money or other valuables on the outcome of a game, contest, or other event whose outcome can be affected by random chance or accident, or by the bettor's own faulty estimation. The term 'gambling hazard’ can be defined as anything negative arising from or is caused by gambling.
Gambling becomes a hazard when gamblers who are enrolled in an online casino get too involved in winnings and the game becomes disruptive or damaging to them.
Some gamblers may get addicted because their brains release dopamine (the feel-good hormone) whenever they win. This is according to the Mental Health Society of the United Kingdom.
Types of Gambling Hazards
When most people think of the potential dangers of gambling, they picture a loss of money or other financial hardship. Contrary to this belief, individuals that gamble may also be exposed to other forms of damage. You can believe you learnt from poker like Maria Konnikova did, but the reality will be far more gruesome.
Those who have more disposable income to gamble with or who gamble frequently, as well as those with additional risk factors, are more likely to have negative consequences.
Distressing Emotions and Thoughts
Feelings of remorse, sadness, and solitude might arise in this type of gambling problem. A survey conducted in 2017 on selected Canadian Casinos showed that 70 percent of the Canadian Players who had a losing streak that week were having suicidal thoughts and distorted cognition due to psychological distress caused by straight losses.
You find yourself chasing bets over and over again, which can cause you to run through your funds and get into debt. Also, in order to maintain your addiction, you try to disguise your conduct or even resort to dishonesty or theft.
Health Hazards
Most times, gambling causes an increase in alcohol consumption. In most cases, the affected player neglects self care and begins to derail health wise. It can also lead to substance and drug abuse.
Financial Loss
One hazard that is common in the gambling experience is the risk of great financial loss. Most gamblers do not control their spendings while playing, which can lead to overstretching of bankroll or being overly generous on the online slot.
Causes of Gambling Hazards
While it can be enjoyable and exciting in moderation, gambling can become addictive and lead to financial, social, and personal losses for those who overindulge. Take a look at some of the most common causes of gambling hazards:
- Mental health issues. Many people who have issues with compulsive gambling also struggle with drug abuse, personality disorders, depression, or anxiety. Disorders including bipolar, OCD, and ADD/ADHD have been linked to compulsive gambling (ADHD).
- Personality. One's susceptibility to developing a gambling addiction may rise if they are very competitive, workaholic, impulsive, restless, or quickly bored.
- Peer and family Influence. The likelihood of you developing a gambling issue increases if you are exposed to problem gamblers in your social circle.
Symptoms of Gambling Hazards
Gambling hazards can have far-reaching implications for an individual’s mental and physical health, as well as their relationships and finances. Common signs of a gambling problem include, for starters, having one's mind always on gambling, such as by continually planning gambling activities and thinking about how to obtain more money for gambling. Also, it’s the requirement to gamble with ever-increasing sums of money in order to experience the same level of excitement, and making unsuccessful efforts to exercise self-control, cut back, or give up gambling.
Another example is the use of gambling as a means of evading difficulties or relieving other negative emotions, such as helplessness, guilt, worry, or despair, and attempting to get back money that was lost by more gaming (chasing losses). A gambling addicts is also constantly fibbing about your gambling habits, even to loved ones, putting their relationships, career, or educational prospects at risk in order to gamble, and gambling away money and then asking other people to help them out.
Effects of Gambling Hazards
Because gambling may lead to feelings of sadness and anxiety, as well as tendencies toward engaging in self-injurious behavior, there are a few physical symptoms that should be kept an eye out for.
First of all, it’s a lack of sleep that can be one of the physical manifestations of mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety, sallow complexion, fluctuating weight, acne, and dark bags under the eyes, and poor general health and development;
Next, it’s issues with interpersonal connections, problems with finances, especially the possibility of bankruptcy, and even legal issues or jail. A person can experience inadequate performance in work or the loss of one's job, or, at it’s worse, suicide, suicide attempts or suicidal thoughts.
While igaming can have its advantages, especially concerning Canadian economy, its disadvantages are those you should be vary about.
| Pros of Casino Gaming | Cons of Casino Gaming |
| It is a way to make money. | Losing streaks can cause low self esteem. |
| It is a way to relieve boredom and escape everyday life. | Losing streaks can cause great financial losses. |
| It can create lifelong bonds among players. | Poor emotional control can cause greed and discontentedness. |
How to Deal With Gambling Addiction Problems
If you're struggling with a gambling addiction, you can feel like you have to give in to the impulse to gamble every time you think about it.
Some tips to help with gambling addiction include talking to your therapist, filling in your gambling times with other activities and setting a limit for your spending cash. Moreover, it’s advisable to find other programs to enjoy and manage your cash, or try to reach out to the Responsible Gaming Council [RGC] to help.
Conclusion
Players with gambling addiction are the ones who give bad reps to online casinos and gambling industries. The reward system in the brain may be stimulated by gambling in a similar way that it can be stimulated by drugs or alcohol, which can lead to addiction.
Gambling hazard is a terrible disorder that has the potential to ruin people's lives. Many people who battle with compulsive gambling can find aid via professional therapy, despite the fact that treating the outcome of gambling hazard can be difficult.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How to Prevent Gambling Hazards When Registered to an Online Casino?
Here are some ways to avoid falling victim of gambling hazards:
- Set a limit on the amount of money to be spent at the casino.
- View the casino as an entertaining industry rather than a money doubling experience.
- Don't spend all your waking moment gambling. Look for other exciting activities to split your time with.
Is It Possible to Gamble Without Any Hazard?
Yes, it is possible to have a very interesting and regulated gambling experience without exposure to any of the hazards associated to gambling. Here, players get the best and secure entertainment with a variety of games and generous bonuses and promotions which increases the chance of winnings.
Can Help Be Offered to Victims of Gambling Hazards?
Falling victim to gambling hazards is not the end of the line for any player. There are solutions that can be offered to help victims of these situations such as victims speaking up once they notice symptoms of gambling addiction and asking for help, speaking to a support system or groups and talking about the problem, and avoiding tempting situations.