Responsible Gambling is a very crucial matter, especially in Australia. Did you know that over 50% of adult Aussies take part in gambling? What could be a recreational activity could slowly creep up to be an addiction, and this is why our experts had to research some tips on how you can control it.
According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, there are more than 1.38 million adults potentially addicted to this. In addition, people spent 25 million dollars on legal forms of gambling. This statistic is particularly true given the fact that Australian players seek high payouts in gambling.
In this article, we will take a deep dive into tips to know if you are addicted to gambling, how people get addicted, and tips on how to ensure that you are wagering responsibly in Australia.
How to know if you are addicted to gambling.
For you to know whether you need help in terms of gambling, you need to first analyze whether you are actually addicted. Let’s take a deep dive into some helpful signs to look out for to know whether you are addicted.
- Whenever you spend more money than you have or are able to.
Are you spending more than you should according to your budget for gambling? Are you spending money you should be using for bills to gamble? Well, you have a problem. It is important to ensure that you are able to save, invest and pay bills before setting aside any budget to take risks. If you find yourself in this position, please ensure that you seek help so you can get rid of that habit.
- If gambling is causing you to lose relationships with friends, family, or coworkers.
Gambling can lead you to neglect your responsibilities and commitments, which may cause you to lose your friends as well as your job. Having an addiction preoccupies most of your time and this could lead to you losing your job. In addition, you may end up losing friends, especially those who do not agree with gambling.
- Gambling more money so you can get back the lost ones through gambling
If you are addicted to gambling, you might keep taking risks with more money so that you can get back the lost ones through gambling.
This is because a person who is addicted to gambling will always have some kind of problem with money. But this is just a temporary solution for them. They need more time and money to recover from their addiction.
- Using gambling to relieve tension or anxiety
If you find that you gamble to escape intense anxiety or stress then you need to seek help to get rid of that addiction. This is something that should be used as a recreational activity but not something you do, to get rid of any mental health issues.
- Becoming stressed as a result of your decision to reduce your gambling,
It’s critical to reduce your gambling if you do it too often. However, if cutting back is causing you any discomfort, you may have an issue and need to get help.
How to stop gambling and save money
If you have already analyzed and known that you have a gambling issue, then it is critical to know the steps forward so you can get rid of that problem. Below are some 5 helpful steps you should take.
- Talk to someone you trust about it.
Once you realize that you have a problem, it is very important to talk to someone you trust. A problem shared is half solved. They may be able to help you get the help you need. In addition, they will keep you accountable with the decision to stop gambling online.
- Ask for professional help to get rid of it.
There are a number of institutions that offer gambling help in Australia. Here are 5 you can consider reaching out to.
- Gambling help Online
- Lifeline
- Gamblers help
- Australian Institute of Family Studies
- Department of social services
- Call the gambling help hotline in Australia
The gambling help hotline in Australia is available 24/7 every day. You can reach out to them using this contact- 1800 858 858 for assistance at any time.
- Join support groups
Joining support groups is important as it helps you interact with people who have the same issue and are willing to change. This will help you know and feel that you are not alone, and the journey to being better will be a lot easier.
- Get rid of all your gambling triggers.
If you are on a journey to stop a gambling addiction, then you need to get rid of all those things that drive you towards it. For example, if you are using it as a way to relieve stress, you should consider getting another recreational or healthy way to get rid of it. In addition, it is important that you cancel memberships and delete the apps that you use to place orders.
Conclusion.
There are numerous advantages to overcoming a gambling addiction. It allows you to save and invest more money, has healthier relationships, and most importantly, have more time to devote to self-improvement activities. The first step is to recognize that you have a problem, and then take the necessary steps to overcome that addiction.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is responsible gambling?
These are a set of initiatives by governments and operators that help set out awareness of the risks of gambling irresponsibly.
- What is the role of the responsible gambling liaison officer (RGLO)
They are responsible for providing appropriate information to addicted gamblers about gambling responsibly
- Where is responsible gambling signage placed in our casinos?
These can be seen on their physical location posters, ATMs, change machines, and casino tables.