Gambling addiction and problem gambling is a serious issue faced by many Australian casino players today. Whether you are the one struggling with the addiction, or if someone you care about is affected, it can be frightening and overwhelming to take on this issue. It is important to take action quickly, as untreated addiction can lead to significant financial, legal, and health problems.
Common warning signs of problem gambling include spending increasing amounts of time thinking about or participating in gambling activities, borrowing money to gamble, chasing losses by attempting to win back money already lost while gambling, lying to family and friends about how much money was spent while. People with a gambling addiction may feel lonely or depressed and become socially isolated as a result of withdrawing from loved ones due to shame associated with their behavior. When problem gambling affects someone’s life negatively it is imperative they seek help right away to get their life back on track. Taking concrete steps such as seeking professional help or finding supportive people such as a counselor or support group can make all the difference in helping someone break free from their addiction.
Methods for Helping Individuals Overcome Gambling Addiction
Ludomania, also known as gambling addiction, is recognized as a medical condition that requires treatment. Accordingly, the World Health Organization reports that 350 million individuals worldwide (and more than 100.000 gamblers in Australia) are affected by gambling addiction. To gain insight into the demographics most prone towards excitability, one should examine the human brain. By nature, it has four groups of tasks:
- real power – people satisfy it at work through career growth;
- real survival – earned money, study, health care, buying food, clothing, apartment, etc.;
- real reproduction – personal life and the birth/raising of children;
- real energy savings – rest and purchase of services (contact specialists).
To achieve tasks, the brain releases special substances that cause a feeling of pleasure. “Correct” satisfaction looks like this: first you tense up, “waste calories,” train socially useful skills, and after work you have fun. But it also happens differently: when you first achieve what you want, and then strain yourself. That is, satisfaction comes immediately, without “expending calories” – these are pseudo-tasks:
- pseudo-power – unreasonable hatred of people, murder, corruption, computer games, the desire to be, if not the first from the beginning, then at least the first from the end (the worst);
- pseudo-survival — gambling, gluttony, shopaholism, unnecessary/unaffordable loans, theft;
- pseudo-reproduction – viewing pornography, prostitution.
- pseudo-energy saving – alcohol, cigarettes, drugs.
The brain tends to prioritize simple activities that generate positive emotions easily and without difficulty. Additionally, there is more information to consider. People are motivated to bet for two reasons: for enjoyment, regardless of winning, and for financial rewards. The individuals believe that they have successfully navigated the system and have started working without any noticeable stress. In both cases, individuals experience pleasure, particularly in the second scenario. He combined elements such as the semblance of power, the semblance of survival, and the semblance of saving energy in order achieve his goals without exerting much effort. Many individuals find it challenging to understand how to improve these tasks. However, in gambling, everything is clear and easy to understand. Continuing your efforts increases the possibility of eventual success. Regrettably, there was no success.
Why people are susceptible to gambling addiction:
- personal unsettled life (lack of impressions);
– small frontal lobes. The brain consists of various departments – processing centers: sensory, motor, speech, etc. In the frontal part there are inhibitory ones – they inhibit instincts. And those who have small ones quickly succumb to excitement and have difficulty stopping; - penetration of gambling addiction into culture and education. If everyone plays, then it becomes normal and doesn’t seem terrible. For example, family leisure time playing cards, lotto or watching movies with gambling;
- broadcasting games to the media.
The impact of losses and wins depends on the combination of these factors. The more there are, the more often a person feels winning as a well-deserved reward, and losing as an accident.
Symptoms of ludomania:
- narrowing the range of interests, previous hobbies become unnecessary and uninteresting;
- a person communicates less with the old environment, creates a new one or goes into loneliness;
- in his free time from games he feels restlessness, irritation, and an internal need to play;
- bad mood, headaches, insomnia, difficulty concentrating;
- inability to stop and stop playing even with a series of losses or large losses/winnings.
To cease playing, one must establish circumstances in which playing becomes unenjoyable, inconvenient, and ideally, physically impractical. It is important to ensure that individuals can enhance their power, survival, reproduction, and energy conservation with minimal effort.
Ways to Make Online Casino World Better
The Australian online casino industry has experienced significant growth in recent years. Online casinos with PayID allow instant withdrawal, therefore they have gained popularity due to their convenience and accessibility, attracting a growing number of Aussie casino players for their entertainment and gambling needs. However, the increase in popularity necessitates improved emotional support and measures for addressing ludomania. This article will explore various strategies to improve the online casino industry and offer assistance to individuals dealing with gambling addiction.
- Implement Responsible Gambling Measures:
Online casinos should take responsibility for promoting responsible gambling. This can be done by implementing measures such as setting deposit limits, self-exclusion options, and providing information about gambling addiction helplines and resources. It is essential for online casinos to prioritize the well-being of their players and create a safe and responsible gambling environment.
- Offer Supportive Resources:
Online casinos can play a significant role in providing resources and information about gambling addiction. They can include links to helplines, support groups, and treatment centers on their websites. Additionally, they can offer educational materials about the signs of gambling addiction and how to seek help. By providing these resources, online casinos can help individuals recognize and address their gambling problems.
- Collaborate with Support Organizations:
Online casinos can partner with support organizations that specialize in gambling addiction. By working together, they can create initiatives and programs aimed at raising awareness about the risks of gambling and providing support to those in need. Collaboration with these organizations can help online casinos develop responsible gambling practices and foster a supportive community for their players.
- Encourage Responsible Gambling Tools:
Online casinos should actively promote and encourage the use of responsible gambling tools. These tools can include reality checks, time limits, and session reminders. By incorporating these features into their platforms, online casinos can help players maintain control over their gambling habits and prevent excessive and impulsive behavior.
- Provide Accessible Support Channels:
Online casinos should ensure that their players have easy access to support channels. This can include live chat support, email support, or dedicated helplines. By having these channels readily available, individuals struggling with ludomania can reach out for help and guidance whenever they need it.
- Educate Casino Players about the Risks:
Online casinos can educate their players about the risks of gambling. They can offer details on the probability of winning, the possible financial repercussions, and the indicators of gambling addiction. Through raising awareness, online casinos can enable their players to make well-informed choices and engage in responsible gambling.
Facts about Gambling participation among Australian adults
A sample of 1765 adult Australians, aligned with ABS population parameters of gender, location and age, participated in the survey.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the online casino world has a responsibility to provide emotional support and address gambling addiction. By implementing responsible measures, offering supportive resources, collaborating with support organizations, encouraging responsible gambling tools, providing accessible support channels, and educating players about the risks, online casinos can create a safer and more responsible gambling environment. It is crucial for the industry to prioritize the well-being of its players and work towards making the online casino world better for everyone involved.
