Risks Associated With Gambling

Gambling can have an impact on a player’s life, some of the risks associated with gambling are:
• Losing more money than you budget for.
• Spending more time gambling than you intend.
• Neglecting loved ones.
• Declining self-esteem.
• Increased stress and anxiety.
• Developing a preoccupation with gambling.
• Placing increasingly larger bets in order to get a rush.
• Gambling to escape or to improve your mood.
• Playing to escape from reality.
• Heightened states of euphoria which may affect your judgement.

Tips for Parents:

• Do not leave children unattended near your computer when you are logged into your 888.com Platform real-money account.
• Do not allow persons under 21 to participate in any gambling activity.
• Educate your children about the illegality and potential dangers of underage gambling.

Potential Signs of a Gambling Problem

The following highlights a number of questions a player should ask himself and his loved ones to help identify potential signs of a gambling problem. While these questions are not a diagnostic, psychological, or medical test and should not be used as such, many people who have called gambling help lines have answered yes to one or more of the following questions:
• Do you lose time from work due to gambling?
• Is gambling making your home life unhappy?
• Is gambling affecting your reputation?
• Have you ever felt remorse after gambling?
• Do you ever gamble to get money to help pay debts or solve other financial difficulties?
• Does gambling decrease your ambition or efficiency?
• After losing, do you feel you must return as soon as possible to win back your losses?
• After a win, do you have a strong urge to continue and win more?
• Do you often gamble until your last dollar is gone?
• Do you ever borrow to finance your gambling?
• Have you ever sold any real estate or personal property to finance gambling?
• Are you reluctant to use “gambling money” for normal expenditures?
• Does gambling ever make you careless about the welfare of your family?
• Do you ever gamble longer than you had planned?
• Do you ever gamble to escape worries or trouble?
• Have you ever committed or considered committing an illegal act to finance gambling?
• Does gambling make you have difficulty sleeping?
• Do arguments, disappointments, or frustrations create an urge to gamble?
• Do you have an urge to celebrate good fortune with a few hours of gambling?
• Have you ever considered self-destructive behavior as a result of your gambling?

Problem Gambling Warning Signs

• Having arguments with family or friends about money and gambling
• Losing interest in your usual activities or hobbies, like going out with friends or spending time with your family
• Always thinking or talking about gambling
• Lying about your gambling or hiding it from other people
• Needing to gamble with larger amounts of money or for a longer time to get the same feeling of excitement or buzz
• Neglecting work, university, family, personal needs or household responsibilities because of gambling
• Feeling anxious, worried, guilty, depressed, or irritable

Practical Tips for Responsible Gambling

Moderation is the key for all who gamble.
• The decision to gamble is a personal choice. No one should feel pressure to gamble – from others or themselves.
• Gambling should not be perceived as essential to having a good time.
• Limits should be set before starting to gamble. Money spent on gambling should be considered the cost of entertainment, not a source of income. People should gamble only with money they can afford to lose. A person who chooses to gamble should set time and monetary limits and adhere to them.
• There are times when people should not gamble. Certain emotional states can heighten the risks associated with gambling. Avoid gambling when feeling lonely, angry, depressed, stressed, or when coping with the death of a loved one. Similarly, gambling should not be used as a way to solve personal or family problems, or to impress others. Never gamble when it interferes with work or family responsibilities, when in recovery for addictive disorders or dependencies, when the gambling is illegal, or when trying to make up for prior gambling losses.
• Excessive use of alcohol when gambling can be risky. Irresponsibly using alcohol can affect a person’s judgment and interfere with the ability to adhere to predetermined limits.
• Balance gambling with other activities. When gambling becomes your only form of entertainment you should stop and consider whether you are still having fun.
• Take regular breaks from gambling. Gambling continuously can cause you to lose track of time and perspective.
• Timeout – if you need a longer break, consider taking a timeout. Request a timeout for any duration from 72 hours to a full year. While on timeout, you will not be able to deposit or wager. You may still log in, withdraw funds, and view your play history.
• Know how the games work before you wager.
• Do not take out loans and do not borrow money from other sources for gambling.