Why learning Responsible Gaming best practices is critical
Clinical Review by:
Published:
Sep 5, 2024
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11:17 a.m.
ET
With sports betting now legal in 38 states, the need for responsible gambling education is more important than ever. The increase in those meeting the criteria for gambling addiction, specifically among younger adults, calls for readily available information on how to reduce the chances of developing problematic gambling habits.
With Responsible Gaming Education Month now underway, there is no better time to review what steps should be taken to gamble responsibly and learn the warning signs of a gambling addiction.
Responsible Gaming tips and best practices
With the widespread accessibility of gaming in today's world information on responsible gambling should be readily available. Best practices for gaming might look different for everyone, but there are overall recommendations that can be useful if gambling.
Reframe betting as paid entertainment
Before placing a bet, consider it an entertainment cost like the movies, a ticket to a game or a night out. If you win, that can be a pleasant surprise, but certainly not the expectation. Don’t let your budget for betting override other expenses.
Don't bet more than you can afford to lose
If your rent is $1,000 per month, monthly living expenses are $300, credit card bills average $700, and you only make $2,500 in post-tax income, you should not be betting more than a nominal amount! Keep your bets within your monthly budget to help reduce the chances of gambling becoming detrimental to your financial wellbeing.
With that in mind, one recent study found that in states where it has been legalized, there has been a rise in bankruptcy rates for those who engage in online sports betting. The chances of filing for bankruptcy increase by up to 25-30% within three to four years of legalization. That increase is accompanied by a surge in debt collections and debt consolidation loans, particularly among young men in low-income areas, who appear to be the most impacted cohort. The study also found a concerning rise in auto loan delinquencies, which increased by around 9% in states that legalized sports betting.
Share your betting activity with others
Keeping your gambling habits out in the open can help lessen the highs and lows of winning and losing. Sharing betting experiences with others makes it easier to stay accountable and aware of gambling potentially turning problematic.
Set deposit and time limits
A lot of betting apps nowadays allow users to set both deposit and time limits so that they cannot go over them. This can be a helpful way to set boundaries around gambling and the time you want to dedicate to it. Once the limit is reached, engage in other non-gambling activities to keep balance in your life.
Don’t bet while under the influence
Alcohol and drugs can impact abilities to properly assess risk. Although sports betting is common in social settings where drinking is involved, it’s wise to place any bets before potentially consuming alcohol. And don’t let peer pressure result in placing additional or larger bets.
Why betting responsibly is critically important
Creating disciplined habits around betting is crucial to maintaining a healthy relationship with gambling. Many people can lose sight of gambling as a casual, recreational activity to heighten excitement during a sporting event. This often happens when betting stops being fun and starts to become habitual or even addictive.
As gambling has become more normalized in our society it can be easy to make common missteps that may lead to an addiction. You can bet on just about anything these days before and during sports events, which means nearly endless opportunities to bet more. That makes instilling responsible gaming best practices even more important.
Do Responsible Gaming best practices prevent Gambling Addiction?
There is no explicit cure or course of action that can fully prevent a gambling addiction from developing. However, the strategies laid out in this article can help to reduce the likelihood of unhealthy gambling habits.
The only way to ensure that you do not develop a gambling addiction is to completely abstain from participating in gambling or betting at all. While this may not feel realistic for many people, it might be the best option for those who have struggled with limiting their gambling in the past, have a family history of gambling addiction or fear they may develop a problem.
Warning Signs of Gambling Addiction
While gambling may be a fun and occasional activity for some, gambling addiction is all too real for those who are unable to separate recreational gambling from obsessive tendencies.
Common warning signs of gambling addiction can include:
Constant preoccupation with gambling, like when you’ll gamble next or how to get more money to gamble with
Increasing the amount of money you spend gambling to maintain the thrill aspect
An inability to stop or cut back gambling despite wanting to
Experiencing mood swings or irritability when trying to cut back gambling
Using gambling as a coping mechanism for negative feelings, such as anxiety, depression or stress
Chasing losses by betting more to try and recuperate losses
Lying about the extent of gambling
Prioritizing gambling over other responsibilities like school, work or family obligations
Financial difficulties due to gambling debts
Legal issues as a result of gambling
Specialized Treatment for Gambling Addiction
If you or someone you know may be struggling with gambling addiction, there is help available. Birches Health provides specialized gambling addiction treatment, 100% virtually. Birches employs gambling addiction-trained counselors who use evidence-based treatment to help individuals with gambling disorder, related behavioral health issues and co-occurring disorders.
Birches offers a free, easy self-assessment test to see if your gambling habits are dangerous and a confidential and anonymous way to refer someone to Birches if you feel they have issues with gambling.
How to get help from Birches Health:
And immediate assistance, you can call Birches Health at 833-483-3838 or email hello@bircheshealth.com.
