Responsible gambling is gradually becoming the most important discussion among gambling circles. All the milestones that have been made in the industry can go down the drain if the promotion of responsible gambling fails. Betting has grown into a multibillion-dollar industry with a presence across the continents. It is a source of entertainment for millions of people, who troop into online and land-based casinos to play their favorite games. However, can it be considered fun if its deleterious effects dominate the headlines?
It is estimated that over 1% of adults in the United States suffer from a betting disorder. This is an alarming statistic that always raises eyebrows among regulators and all the persons involved. Perhaps it is one of the reasons why some jurisdictions are still skeptical about fully legalizing it. Even those who have tend to set conditions to try to mitigate the harmful effects. However, the only way of winning this fight is through unified efforts by all the stakeholders involved in the industry.
Online casinos have played a key role in the growth of the industry because it has drastically improved convenience. Courtesy of these casinos, you can now access your favorite slots and casinos in the comfort of your house or car. They have been improved drastically to resemble the real experience. At 7Slots casino, you can get all these services plus a range of payment methods to allow you to transact with it easily.
There are three main forms of trouble associated with betting. Punters usually present with a preoccupation with it. They tend to play at the slightest convenience. Another one is the development of tolerance, which encourages gamers to bet more cash to derive the same level of excitement. The growth of tolerance is well-understood in drug addiction, and the same science is behind this. Bettors play for the high and excitement, but the real buzz usually comes from the risk of losing or winning cash. Hence, with tolerance, you will always want to bet more for the same high.
Lastly, problem gambling can manifest in the inability to control your betting urges. You will want to keep playing even when harm is imminent. At this point, players bet away their savings and continue going until they fall into debt. Let us take a look at the initiatives meant for the promotion of responsible gambling.
Availability of Information
Knowledge is power, so the first initiative has been to sensitize gamblers about this. All casino operators try to provide information about responsible gambling. They highlight the features for controlling the urges and other critical info. The most important step in stopping problem gambling is early diagnosis. Hence, casinos usually provide info on the early signs of this vice to help their clients recognize them and take action. The early signs usually include:
- A drastic increase in playing time.
- A drastic increase in the money in casinos.
- Starting to get into debt.
- Strained relationships at home or work.
- Stealing and committing other crimes to access betting money.
- Being dishonest to cover up the problem.
When any of these signs begin to emerge, gamblers are advised to stop and seek help from a convenient source. Casinos also have advanced features to help limit the risk.
Casino Features for Control of Gambling
Online casinos are at the forefront of promoting responsible gambling. The top casinos online have excellent features that can help players to deal with this problem. They include the following:
1. Deposit Limits
The most fundamental principle in betting is setting a budget and sticking to it. With deposit limits, you can set a deposit limit over some time. Hence, the casino will not accept any money once the limit is reached.
2. Time Limits
One of the major signs of trouble is spending more time in casinos than before. This usually leads to absconding from work or family duties for gambling. Time limits allow you to set the amount of time that you can gamble over a certain period and lock you out once it is surpassed.
3. Loss Limits
The loss limit is another advanced feature that limits how much money you can lose over a certain period. You will not be able to risk it anymore once it is reached.
4. Self-Exclusion
Self-exclusion allows you to take a break for a defined length of time. It is a time-out feature that locks you out until the set time is reached. Most casinos make it impossible to breach the feature regardless of the circumstance.
5. Artificial Intelligence
This is the latest tech that is gaining traction in the betting industry. It will soon the applied widely in the promotion of responsible gambling. AI can quickly collect and analyze large volumes of data that can be used to make critical decisions. It can be used to monitor player behavior and trace patterns that suggest trouble. Then, the player can be notified using pop-up messages. The application of AI can lead to amazing possibilities, so it will be impactful in responsible gambling.
All these features are set by the user, so you must be disciplined enough to stick to them. No one prevents you from signing up in a different casino. Hence, it requires self-discipline.
Authoritative Sources of Responsible Gambling Assistance
When the problem gets out of hand, players are encouraged to seek professional help from various bodies that have taken this up. They provide screening tools, information, and other forms of support to problem gamblers and their families. They also have support groups where people can share their experiences. They include the following:
- GamTalk,
- National Council on Problem Gambling,
- Gamblers Anonymous & Gam-Anon.
You can also find other bodies in various regions of the world that are meant for this. They are usually accessible online and through helplines that can be reached around the clock.
These are valuable tools and resources for the promotion of responsible gambling. They display the concerted efforts by various stakeholders that are meant for this. You can always use them to help yourself or a friend or relative suffering from problem gambling.
