Responsible Gaming
Responsible gambling is essential whether you play online or in a brick-and-mortar casino. By learning and recognizing the signs of problem gambling early, you can avoid negative impacts on your life and mental health and have a positive experience playing your favorite games.
For our team at OnlineUnitedStatesCasinos.com, your safety is our top priority. This is why we put together this helpful guide on safe and enjoyable gambling practices. You will learn valuable tips on gambling responsibly, how to identify signs of gambling addiction, and how to access support if you need it.
This resource is especially valuable if you have concerns about a loved one’s gambling habits or your own.
Keeping Our Users Safe
At OnlineUnitedStatesCasinos.com, we are committed to your safety from sketchy online sites and harmful betting behaviors. Online gambling should be fun and never a burden or overwhelming situation. This is why we take our casino reviews so seriously and work only with industry experts to bring you accurate information about the sites, their offers, and their games. For us, making an informed decision is key to having a positive gaming experience.
We are aware that gambling can become a problem and, ultimately, an addiction. So we hope the information you find here can help you identify if you or a loved one are at risk and provide you with all the information you need to get support.
Understanding Gambling Addiction
What has been identified as a modern-day illness is a condition that has existed for as long as its cause has been practiced among the human race.
Nevertheless, gambling addiction was recently officially identified as a disorder reflecting the unhealthy workings of the patient’s thought process.
Since then, medical practitioners, therapists, and addicts themselves have been constantly working to inform as many as possible on the causes, effects, and proper preventive measures to ultimately reduce its expansion.
Gaming Disorder as a Mental Illness
The World Health Organization (WHO) officially declared gaming disorder an illness under its standards at the 72nd World Health Assembly on May 25, 2019.
What Is Responsible Gambling?
Gambling responsibly means you are able to gamble for fun, you can control how much time and money you invest, you have clear limits (and stick to them), and you have positive feelings about your gameplay.
On the other hand, a gambling problem starts when you begin to lose or play with large sums of money with no sense of control, creating a financial strain, you have no set limits, you avoid spending time with family and friends to play, laying about the amounts you are betting, and feelings of depression or negativity around your gaming. These are signs that you could be developing or have already developed a gambling problem or addiction. It is important to note that people do not become gambling addicts overnight; they usually battle with a gambling problem for a longer period.
Learning to gamble responsibly increases enjoyment and ensures a positive experience without negative repercussions. It is also crucial for maintaining your mental health.
How to Gamble Responsibly
Online casinos take proactive measures to detect and deter compulsive gambling habits. Wagering activity is monitored, and deposits and wagers are limited if necessary to ensure responsible gaming.
For the gambler, some steps can be taken to ensure responsible gameplay.
- Set Budget Limits
Setting and sticking to a budget can reduce losses and prevent addictive behavior. - Be Realistic
Don’t gamble money you can’t afford to lose, and don’t chase losses. Stick to your budget limits. Gambling is NOT a source of income. - Set Time Limits
Playing for a certain time frame will ensure you stay on track. Keep track of your gameplay time and stick to your limits. - Keep It Fun
Online gaming and betting are supposed to be fun, so enjoy them. Unless you are a pro, gambling should not be your main source of income. - Be Aware of Your Emotions
If you are feeling angry, sad, or stressed, our recommendation is not to gamble. It is best to wait since these emotions can lead to bad decision-making. - Keep A Clear Head
Do not gamble while under the influence of drugs, alcohol, or any other substances that may impair your judgment. Do not use gambling as a way to evade reality or problems. - Seek help
There are many organizations, services, and tools that offer support to those with gambling problems or those at risk of developing them. If you feel you are struggling with gambling, we encourage you to reach out.
Problem Gambling – Are You or a Loved One At Risk?
If you or a loved one are struggling in one or more of the areas mentioned above, this may be a red flag for having a gambling problem. We encourage you to seek to review and understand your or your loved ones’ gambling habits and behaviors to determine if there is a risk. Below, we have listed several online resources you can use to identify gambling risks:
- GambleAware Assessment
- NORC Diagnostic Screen for Gambling Problems – Self-Administered (NODS-SA)
- Gamblers Anonymous – 20 Question Quiz
We do want to state that the information we provide nor the resources we have included can diagnose you as having a gambling problem. But if, with these resources, you identify that there is a potential risk, please seek professional help through a licensed therapist to learn how to deal with your gambling problems.
Self Exclusion
Self-exclusion, also known as voluntary exclusion, is a program that allows you to ban yourself from gambling in your state or area. This program blocks your accounts with online casinos and can lead to various consequences if you attempt to gamble at land-based casinos, such as having your money confiscated, being trespassed from the property, or even facing criminal action for repeated attempts.
Reputable online betting operators will allow their users to be self-excluded from gameplay. If you feel you need to take a break from gambling for a while or for good, contact your online casino and ask them to disable your account. You may have your account disabled temporarily or permanently.
Need Extra Help? Use These Apps
While there is no cure for gambling addiction, there are online tools and apps you can use to manage it. Below, we have listed highly recommended self-exclusion blocking tools.
Underage Gambling
Top online casino sites will focus a major effort on providing underage gambling protections. Individuals under the age of 18 are not permitted to take part in online casino gaming. Top online casinos like BetOnline and Bovada have parental controls that help prevent minors from accessing wagering systems.
Players must prove their age for gameplay, including providing photo identification and verifying their address. Underage players are also not targeted via marketing and advertising, so the younger crowd is not enticed to play online casino games.
Most Common Causes of Problem Gambling
There is no saying what the exact cause of gambling addiction is, much like any other addictive condition people tend to develop. Still, some instigators seem to prompt an existing urge to gamble, also known as risk factors.
Compulsive Gambling Risk Factors
Age
While someone’s age may not be directly related to their developing a gambling addiction, younger and middle-aged people are indeed far more susceptible to its influence.
Gender
In the US, it is a general tendency for men to develop gambling addictions much more often than women. However, this was largely the effect of previous social norms and habits that restricted this activity to the male sex and is most likely to balance out soon enough.
Existing Mental Disorders
People who are already suffering and being treated for a different mental disorder, such as ADHD or OCD, are more easily caused to develop addictive gambling habits than others.
Existing Addictions
Those addicted to alcohol or substances –or even video games– additionally have greater chances of developing a gambling addiction. Such addicts have already felt the ‘satisfaction’ of indulging in the object of their addiction and seek other ways to relive that experience.
Strong Surrounding Influences
A surrounding dominated by vices and addicts is a rather likely cause for developing the same habits in the remaining inhabitants. Up to 15% of children and 50% of spouses of gambling addicts in the US are estimated to have experienced some abusive behavior and trauma. This alone is enough cause for them to seek refuge in something familiar, in this case, gambling.
Specific Personality Traits
It has been shown that people with certain personality features are more inclined to gamble and similar risky situations that depend on chance alone. These include individuals who are prone to impulsive, competitive, and workaholic behaviors, among others.
Misconceptions About Problem Gambling
Gambling can have a variety of destructive results on people’s overall lifestyles, depending on their daily habits and surroundings, as well as their social, financial, and marital status.
Nevertheless, among the most common effects, gamblers are bound to experience financial and relationship troubles – bankruptcy or divorce. Along the same lines, loss of work and social efficiency resulting in unemployment and isolation is another common effect, as well as poor physical and mental health.
Despite such signs and effects, there are still multiple myths and misconceptions connected to problem gambling. These often prevent the healing process and can actually make the situation worse.
Gambling Addiction Myths
They are gambling addicts, so they must be lazy and unintelligent.
Gambling has been a common vice throughout its existence and can influence the lives of people of all backgrounds, statuses, and IQs.
Real addicts are only those who gamble every day.
Gambling addicts don’t need to gamble daily to be diagnosed with the condition. Most of them actually tend to wait for the opportune time and circumstances.
We should help gamblers clear their gambling debts.
Recognizing that they have debts is a step towards healing, but gamblers shouldn’t get instant help to clear them. This would encourage them to continue with the same pattern, ultimately only making matters worse.
Addiction Help Resources
In the United States, Gamblers Anonymous and the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) are the main resources when it comes to assistance with a gambling addiction.
The NCPG has a helpline that can be called at any time for assistance. Calling 1-800-522-4700 will provide an individual with local resources for gambling addiction. The group’s network has 28 call centers, each of which provides resources and referrals for all 50 states in the US, as well as in Canada and the US Virgin Islands.
Help is offered 24/7 and is 100% confidential. Text and chat services are also available, and players can reach out in several formats. If you or someone you love is having a problem with gambling behavior, contact one of these groups today to learn more about local assistance.
At Gambler Anonymous, you will find a community of men and women who have struggled with addiction. They believe in the power of help through community. They offer hotlines and meetings across the country. Here, you can find a complete list of Gamblers Anonymous hotlines and meetings in the US.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA) provides targeted support services for anyone with a gambling problem. It runs a 24/7 free national helpline that is fully confidential and provides treatment referrals and information in both Spanish and English.
Other Useful Resources
If you want to learn more about where to find help or information about gambling addiction, these are some of the most reputable resources on the matter. While some are based in other countries, it can be a great place to start to find reliable sources of information.
Play Safe, Play Responsibly
We recommend playing at online casinos with a proven track record. Always do your own research before engaging in any online gambling. This is also part of being responsible with your gaming.
We hope you enjoy the content on OnlineUnitedStatesCasinos.com and encourage you to play responsibly by following the recommendations listed here. If you have any questions or comments about Responsible Gaming, please contact us.
Frequently Asked Questions About Responsible Gambling
Responsible gambling ensures a positive and safe gaming experience. Here are answers to some common questions about maintaining healthy gambling habits and seeking help if needed.
What is responsible gambling, and why is it important?
Responsible gambling involves playing for fun while maintaining control over the time and money spent. It is important because it helps prevent negative impacts on life and mental health, ensuring a positive and enjoyable gaming experience.
How can I recognize the signs of problem gambling?
Signs of problem gambling include losing control over time and money spent on gambling, creating financial strain, avoiding social interactions to gamble, lying about betting amounts, and experiencing feelings of depression or negativity related to gambling.
What steps can I take to gamble responsibly?
To gamble responsibly, you should set and stick to budget and time limits, avoid gambling with money you can’t afford to lose, keep gambling as a fun activity rather than a source of income, and avoid gambling when feeling emotional or under the influence of substances. Seek help if you notice any signs of problem gambling.
What resources are available if I or a loved one is struggling with gambling addiction?
Resources include GambleAware Assessment, NORC Diagnostic Screen for Gambling Problems—Self-Administered (NODS-SA), and Gamblers Anonymous—20-Question Quiz. Additionally, organizations like the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG), Gamblers Anonymous, and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA) offer support and assistance.
What is self-exclusion, and how does it help with gambling addiction?
Self-exclusion is a program that allows individuals to ban themselves from gambling activities, either online or at land-based casinos. This helps by blocking accounts and imposing consequences for attempts to gamble, aiding those who need to take a break or stop gambling altogether. Contact your online casino to disable your account if needed.
