Online Gambling Addictions

Many people enjoy the excitement of gambling either in casinos or more often today through Internet gambling. The online gambling industry has exploded in recent years and millions of people worldwide enjoy the ability to gamble from the comfort of their own home. Most Internet gambling sites make it easy for players to register, make deposits using credit cards, and online e-wallets, as well as providing online gamblers with the ability to begin playing immediately. Online gamblers can now play most popular casino and poker games anytime they want for as long as they want and unfortunately this makes it easier to become addicted to the roller coaster ride that betting a few bucks on the outcome of a game can provide.

Gambling addictions are like all other addictions such as alcohol or drugs. Most people think they are immune from becoming addicted and it sneaks up on them. Unfortunately, as with these other addictions, gambling addictions often lead to destructive behaviour. Gamblers who can not quit do not destroy just their own lives, but the lives of their families as well. Jobs are lost, property is sold are taken away, and people are left destitute. Despite efforts by governments and even casinos themselves to stem the tide the number of people with gambling addictions continues to rise.

Like other addictions, gambling addictions can be prevented, but it takes a concentrated effort by the gambler. The key according to most experts is to set self imposed limits and stick to them. Before playing any game, whether it is a slot machine, blackjack, or poker, people need to decide how much they can afford to lose without causing themselves financial problems. When that limit is reached then the gambling must stop. Of course this requires self-control, when you have lost that self-control; it is time to seek help.

Help for gambling addictions is available and the treatments are the same whether the addiction is to Internet gambling or live gambling. In Fact, most casinos are required to post signs with a phone number for people to call if they have a gambling problem. Many online gambling sites do the same. These services will direct individuals with a gambling addiction to groups like Gamblers Anonymous or to sites where they can get treatment.

There are some very good treatment centres available for those with gambling addictions. These facilities offer both in-patient and out patient treatment programs that are designed to help individuals change their lifestyles and their way of thinking. They are not always successful, but if someone is serious about stopping the addiction, these programs can provide the help and support to do so.

Realizing a Gambling Problem

Gamblers Anonymous has provided a list of 20 Questions that will help you to determine whether you or someone that you know has a gambling problem.

1. Have you ever lost time from work or school due to gambling?
2. Has gambling ever made your home life unhappy?
3. Did gambling affect your reputation?
4. Have you ever felt remorse after gambling?
5. Did you ever gamble to get money with which to pay debts or otherwise solve financial difficulties?
6. Did gambling cause a decrease in your ambition or efficiency?
7. After losing did you feel you must return as soon as possible and win back your losses?
8. After a win did you have a strong urge to return and win more?
9. Did you often gamble until your last dollar was gone?
10. Did you ever borrow to finance your gambling?
11. Have you ever sold anything to finance gambling?
12. Were you reluctant to use gambling money for normal expenditures?
13. Did gambling make you careless of the welfare of yourself or your family?
14. Did you ever gamble longer than you had planned?
15. Have you ever gambled to escape worry or trouble?
16. Have you ever committed, or considered committing, an illegal act to finance gambling?
17. Did gambling cause you to have difficulty in sleeping?
18. Do arguments, disappointments or frustrations create within you an urge to gamble?
19. Did you ever have an urge to celebrate any good fortune by a few hours of gambling?
20. Considered self-destruction or suicide as a result of your gambling?
If you have answered yes to 6 or more of the above questions, you could have a very serious problem. Contact a gambler’s anonymous or other treatment centre in your area.

Deadly Odds

For some gambling can become deadly, remember this medium is intended for entertainment nothing more. Do not be drawn into the fantasy of striking it rich. Discipline yourself and remain conscious of the value of money and your desired goals and objections. Do not become trapped in losses and try and rationalize it by saying its’ only money. This money is something you have worked very hard for do not part with it so easily. Failure to see the warnings will land you in a deadly game of Roulette. Discipline is the key to continually enjoy this form of entertainment without it this glue holding yourself together you will come apart.

So keep it a game!!

This page is underdevelopment. In the near future plenty of gambling addictions resources will be added. Onlinegambling7.com takes this issue very seriously.