The most important thing to remember when gambling is that it should always be done responsibly. For many people, this is not a problem, but gambling can be highly addictive and for some, it can cause a serious problem.
Pathological gambling refers to the habitual gambling patterns that can prove harmful to those affected. In this case, gambling is more than just a game as it becomes part of a lifestyle and tends to take priority over work, family, finances, and even health, all of which suffer as a result. Long-term gambling can have devastating effects on an addict's personal life, as well as their friends and families.
Gambling can lead to large amounts of money being lost, but there are many who continue to gamble to win it all back, often obtaining additional funds through any means necessary, whether taking out loans, borrowing from friends and family, or even stealing. But the the only realistic result is a staggering amount of debt.
Gambling costs not only money but also time, which often means other important things are ignored. This means work is missed, jobs are lost, families are neglected, and personal lives fall apart. Pathological gambling has been officially recognized as a serious psychological disorder in the international classification systems DSM-IV and ICD-10 since 1980. But the good news is that professional help is available.
Responsible gambling requires willpower and discipline but if you are strong you can play safely by sticking to these rules:
While the only way to be sure of whether you have a gambling problem or not is to be officially diagnosed by a trained professional, there are certain signs and symptoms you should look out for. You may be at risk if any of the following apply:
If you can keep a level head, learn to recognize these signs, and deal with them appropriately, there wasn’t a problem. As long as gambling remains a fun activity, you do not spend more than you can afford and you can walk away any time, you are a responsible gambler.
It is illegal for anyone under the age of 18 to play our games but if you are worried that any underage players are using your computer to play our games, you can try the following steps to prevent them from playing: