The Importance of Responsible Gambling and Problem Gambling Addiction in Australia 2024

What is the Principle of Responsible Gambling?

First, it is worth understanding what responsible gambling definition is in general. Responsible gambling is aimed at safe and healthy interactions with casino games. The main idea is to eliminate or minimize the negative consequences that unfortunately arise in players. The goal is to ensure that gambling remains a recreational activity and not a source of problems.

What are the causes of gambling addiction?

Now that you have dealt with the responsible gambling meaning, you need to understand how to deal with gambling addiction and understand the causes of addiction. There may be many reasons, which arise due to different circumstances. Someone is trying to dull the mental pain with games, someone is trying to earn moolah, and someone has a biological predisposition to such problems. Let’s look at the most common risk factors that can cause addiction in users.

What is gambling addiction?

Gambling disorder is expressed in players’ inability to control their actions when playing casino games despite the obvious negative consequences. Financial losses or emotional and social problems may not deter the user. Even if these factors cause stress and other consequences of varying degrees of severity, players still continue to spend more and more time and moolah and do not realize that they need responsible gambling services.

According to the World Health Organization, approximately 1-2% of the world’s adult population suffers from gambling addiction. In Australia, this is around 0.5-1%. At first glance, these numbers may seem small, but if you do the math, there are almost 10 million addicted people in the world, and in AU, this number reaches 160,000 people.

What is the legal gambling age in Australia?

The minimum age to play casino games for Australian users is 18 years old. This applies to all online casinos with responsible gambling certificate that provide games and betting services. Other gambling rules and laws may vary from state to state or territory to territory, but the general age threshold remains the same. To protect minors from potential risks, the relevant authorities carry out monitoring.

How to self-exclude yourself from gambling in Australia

Self-exclusion tools allow players to voluntarily exclude themselves from gambling for a certain period, which helps to prevent the development of addiction. A player can self-exclude for any period they wish, ranging from a few months to several years. In Australia, there are different methods of such procedures in online casinos according to responsible gambling policy.

• Online Self-Exclusion – Players have the option to exclude themselves from accessing games through their account settings or customer service. In this case, you will need to clarify to the support agent the reasons for your decision and the timeframe for which you would like to freeze your account or block it altogether;
• National Self-Exclusion System – This is a single database that allows players to log out of any online casino operating in Australia;
• Counseling and Support – In addition to terminating access directly to the casino, users can request additional help and resources for emotional support. He can be referred to psychologists and other experts on such issues and given access to relevant responsible service of gambling.

Signs of gambling addiction

To realize and begin to get rid of gambling addiction, you need to understand the signs you can identify it. Also note that a sick person is not always able to find these signs and accept them, so listen to your family and friends, who will tell you that you are developing an addiction and can help you.

• Frequent gaming – There is nothing wrong with spending your leisure time playing your favorite game, but if your gaming sessions become too long, which affects your other activities or sleep, it is a bad sign;
• Isolation and lack of interest in other activities – As a consequence of the previous factor, you may be spending less time with loved ones and devoting less time to your hobbies and work;
• Financial problems – Perhaps this factor is the hardest to miss because if your gaming expenses begin to exceed your financial capacity, you will not be able to, for example, pay rent, buy food or necessities, or get into debt;
• Emotional changes – But changes in psycho-emotional state addicts most often do not notice, acquiring irritability, anxiety, or depression due to gaming losses or lack of gaming;
• Continuing to play no matter what – The sum of all of the above consequences is that the user continues to play although his quality of life is significantly reduced.

Where to get help in Australia

If you happen to be a victim of gambling addiction, it is important to get qualified help. There are organizations and programs in Australia, such as Responsible Conduct of Gambling SA, that help people with gambling addiction. If you feel unwell and are unable to contact the appropriate organization yourself, do not hesitate to ask your family members or your casino’s support team for help.

Conclusion: What You Need to Know About Responsible Gambling

So, what conclusions can be drawn from the bottom line? Is gambling harmful? Of course not, if you play wisely. You should define responsible gambling as a necessary thing to learn before you start playing. This way you can avoid the problems that can be caused by excessive play.

You need to realize that gambling addiction is a real problem, not a horror story. Thousands of people are suffering and harming their families because of this mental disorder. Listen to your friends and family if they tell you that casino games have become a bad influence on you and use self-exclusion tools. Also, you can always contact your casino’s support team, where you will not be judged and will get the help you need. No matter how simple and banal it sounds, remember that games are all just entertainment, not a way to earn money and escape from problems.

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