What is responsible gambling?
Responsible Gaming is a broad concept that includes several rules that apply to gambling. These rules ensure that casinos provide a safe gaming experience and protect people from the potential negative consequences of online gambling.
Remember that gambling should only be considered a form of entertainment, not a way to earn money. While most of us have no problem treating casino games as just recreation, it can be a lot more difficult for some.
Both online gambling platforms and game providers are committed to responsible gambling. In addition, casino software providers must support internet operators in meeting technical and legal requirements. Below, you will find seven types of responsible gaming areas directly related to the online gambling industry:
- Prevention of underage gambling
- Protection of vulnerable players
- Ethical and responsible marketing
- Information privacy
- Security measures against criminal activity
- Online payment protection
- Safe Internet environment
Do you have a potential gambling problem?
Problem gambling is something that many people face these days. You won’t even have time to turn around and your gambling can very quickly change from harmless fun to an unhealthy obsession that can lead to real problems. Whether you are playing slots, poker, scratch cards, or betting on sports – a gambling problem can ruin your relationships, cause problems at work or lead to bankruptcy. Below are a series of important questions to ask yourself if you think you have a gambling problem:
- Is it hard for you to stop gambling after suffering a greater loss?
- Does gambling cause financial problems for you or your family?
- Do you think you may have a gambling problem?
- Does gambling adversely affect your relationships, work or studies?
- Does gambling cause any health problems, including stress or anxiety?
- Do you get nervous when you are not gambling?
- Do you have to play with larger amounts to get the same feeling of excitement?
- Do you feel guilty about the amount of money you spend gambling?
Helping someone with a gambling addiction
Most people get the pleasure of gambling without becoming a problem, but some people become addicted to gambling, which can hurt their lives. The urge to gamble can be overwhelming, leading you to steal, lie and spend all your savings. Several signs indicate when mere gambling enjoyment turns into a problem. The sooner a gambling problem is discovered, the better the chances of a successful recovery. Although compulsive gambling is difficult to overcome, many people manage their illness with professional help and support from family and friends.
Gambling age and protection of minors
The age to legally play in a land-based or online casino in Poland is 18 years. Regarding land-based casinos, some may require you to be at least 21 or 23 years of age to enjoy the casino. The age requirement for online casinos will not vary, and you must be at least 18 years of age to play at an online casino legally.
Most online casino operators never take every precaution to promote advertisements that could attract people under 18. Despite all the efforts imposed by the operators of gambling sites, it should be remembered that access to the Internet is easy for children and only in cooperation with their parents can minors be taught about the dangers of accessing illegal websites. To help you prevent your child from accessing these sites, we have prepared some important points that you should consider:
- Always “log out” as soon as you end your game session.
- Do not use auto-complete login information.
- Keep your usernames and passwords out of the reach of children.
- Make sure your credit card details are kept safe and confidential
- Do not play at gambling sites in front of children.
- Don’t let your kids spend all their free time on the Internet.
- Learn more about tools available for parents on your devices.
- Inform your child about the dangers of accessing illegal websites, in particular online gambling.
As we mentioned above, you can use various tools that can help you keep an eye on your child’s online activity. We’ve covered them in a little more detail below:
Net Nanny
The Net Nanny app offers a variety of parental control software features to help protect your kids. Parental control software provides visibility into children’s online activities to help parents understand their digital habits and keep them safe while surfing the web. With the Net Nanny® app, you can monitor your family’s digital habits and protect them from harmful content using the most trusted tool available to parents.
CYBERsitter
First, the CYBERsitter application allows parents to control blocked websites, add their own websites to block, and define acceptable internet access times. Plus, thanks to CYBERsitter, parents can keep a detailed diary of all their children’s activities online.
Tools supporting responsible gambling
All gambling sites offer tools designed to help players control the time and money they spend on casino games. We’ve detailed all the options available to players below.
Deposit limit
If you feel you are losing control of the amount of money you deposit into your gaming account, you can always set a deposit limit. Decide how much money you can spend on gambling daily, weekly or monthly. Then, set a limit that will not exceed your budget. This way, you can have more control over your gambling and avoid financial problems in the future.
Loss limit
The loss limit is the same as the deposit limit, but instead of placing a deposit limit, you set the maximum amount of money you can lose. This is a great option for anyone who has trouble ending the game after failing to win. Sometimes, it is very hard to come to terms with losing money, and players often try to get back lost money, which is not a good idea. Limiting your losses will give you time to cool down and return to the game the next day.
Session timeout
Another limit you can put on your casino account is the session time limit. This limit will be handy for all players who feel they spend too much time in online casinos. Sometimes it is very easy to lose track of time while enjoying your favorite games, so keeping track of the time you spend playing is very important.
Time out
Time out is a feature available at online casinos that you can use if you want to keep playing but want to take a break for a while. This is a good option if you’ve been spending too much time and money playing lately. You can block yourself from playing for a certain period during a break.
Online casinos typically offer this feature for the following periods:
- 24 hours
- one week
- one month
- any period requested by the client – up to six weeks.
Betting limit
Another option offered by some online casinos is the betting limit. This means you can limit a round or spin that cannot exceed a certain amount. For example, you can place a bet limit of no more than USD 20.
Self-exclusion
Self-exclusion means asking the operator of a gambling service to exclude you from gambling on their site for a certain period, typically six to twelve months, but for online gambling, this may take up to five years.
Self-esteem
Self-esteem in gambling is known as the Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI). PGSI is a reliable and standardized measure of risky gambling behavior. Self-evaluation is based on research into the common symptoms and consequences of problem gambling. Typically, the Self-Assessment Test contains a series of questions about gambling. Most people with a hard problem will answer these questions YES to 6 or more. Here are some examples of self-assessment test questions:
- Have you ever borrowed money to finance your gambling?
- Have you ever lost time from work or study because of gambling?
- Has gambling ever made your home life miserable?
- Has gambling made a difference to your reputation?
- Have you ever felt remorse after playing?
- Have you ever gambled to get money to pay off your debts or otherwise solve your financial problems?
- Has your gambling made you lose your ambition or performance?
- After losing, did you feel you had to come back as soon as possible and win back your losses?
- After winning, did you have a strong urge to come back and win more?
- Have you gambled a lot until you lost your last penny?
Organizations that can help and advise
We know that gambling can cause problems for some people and their families. Is gambling causing a problem for you or others around you? Below, we’ve outlined some organizations to help you with problem gambling.
Gambling Therapy
Gambling Therapy offers many different online services for problem gamers and their friends and families. Their website is available in many languages, including Polish.
Gambling Therapy’s expert advisers can speak to you “in real-time” on the Live Advice Hotline. This helpline is intended for people who are concerned about their own or someone else’s gambling.
The Gambling Therapy team can answer questions, provide information, or provide much-needed emotional support during difficult times. If this is your first visit to their website, the helpline might be a good place to start!
You can contact Gambling Therapy via live chat on their website or by email. You also have the option to join a forum or one of the support groups. Remember that the Gambling Therapy website is also available in Polish.
GamCare
GamCare is an independent charity and a leading provider of information, advice, and support to those affected by problem gambling in the UK. It offers free, flexible, and confidential support and a range of training and information programs in England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
You can contact GamCare by calling the toll-free number on 08088020133. You can also contact support via live chat on the GamCare website.
GambleAware
GambleAware is an independent organization that has an agreement with the Gambling Commission to implement the National Gambling Harm Reduction Strategy through voluntary donation arrangements from the gambling industry. The company is led by a completely independent group of experts, most of whom work in the health sector.
If you are looking for help, advice or support about gambling, visit BeGambleAware.org or contact the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020133.
Betfilter
Betfilter is an online website-blocking software specially designed to stop gambling and deal with problem gambling. It has been tested on people with real gambling problems and developed in close cooperation with the Center For Ludomani in Denmark.
Betfilter includes the following features:
- Simple and easy installation – Installing Betfilter only takes a few minutes, and anyone can do it without any problems.
- Appropriate Blocking Only – Betfilter will ONLY block and stop gambling sites and apps.
- 100% discretion – after installing Betfilter, you will not be disturbed by annoying messages or similar alerts. You can use your computer in any work situation and even share it with others!
- Betfilter is a good option for everyone who cannot cope with problem gambling. It is easier to control your gambling when you do not have access to online casino gaming sites.
If you, or someone you know or your family, has a gambling problem, you can contact one of the organizations listed above. Trained experts will be ready to assist you and advise you on how to deal with gambling problems.
