Gambling is probably as old as the world. There are records dating back to ancient times, and even in biblical texts, there is no shortage of references to games related to luck or chance. In Ancient Egypt, in the Far East, in classical Greece, all the way to imperial Rome, and then to the present day, the habit of taking risks by making money bets has always been widespread. After all, most of the games in vogue today (roulette, baccarat, poker, and many others) have a history whose roots go back several centuries.
At the same time, the vicious habit of gambling has also existed in earlier eras, while it is only in recent years that an effective definition of the problem of gambling understood as pathological addiction has been gaining ground. The bad habit in and of itself cannot be considered a disease, but it is also true that it may be its necessary premise.
This in some way could lead the players to loosen inhibitory brakes and play more than they should, plunging into a downward spiral almost without realizing it, since compulsive gambling, as experts will observe in the following paragraphs, represents a very insidious problem that generally those personally involved struggle to recognize promptly.
Such conclusions should not, however, lead to the opposite excess, that is, to demonize gambling to the point of making it a veritable taboo: this attitude could lead to a phase of prohibition, which, as history teaches, has always been a kind of godsend for the criminal organizations that have long prospered by running such a racket. Indeed, it should not be forgotten that worldwide millions and millions of people gamble in a measured way and without allowing themselves to be completely absorbed by the vice.
The phenomenon is so widespread that it has now attracted the attention of the scientific community as well. According to the definition provided in 1994 by the APA (American Psychiatric Association), the largest and among the most influential psychiatric associations in the world boasting about 35,000 members; the Pathological Gambling is to be considered a mental illness similar to obsessive-compulsive disorders (or OCD).
According to this authority, pathological gambling can be defined as a situation in which there are repeated unsuccessful attempts to control, reduce or stop the tendency to gamble. In addition, the APA has noted how in most cases pathological gambling develops as a co-morbid condition, that is, in the presence of other mental illnesses: in fact, as many as 74 percent of individuals with problem gambling have previously been affected by another type of mental disorder.
Based on numerous studies, a list of 10 diagnostic criteria has been drawn up: for the individuals to be declared to have, they must therefore identify with at least 5 of them:
Of course, regardless of the number of signs, you believe you fall into. If you believe you have a problem with gambling or if you have noticed some gambling-related abnormality in the behavior of a friend or family member, the best advice experts can give you is not to waste time pretending to ignore the situation. Try to talk to a specialist who will know without fear of contradiction how to remove any doubt and point you to the most appropriate course of action.
In addition, it is crucial to remember that every sick person is a person in need of help. So, if you think you are a compulsive gambler, do not be afraid to turn to your loved ones and specialized facilities. Because their support could be decisive for the success of a long road to rehabilitation. This is often certainly not an easy path to take since the patients will have to fight against themselves by suppressing impulses coming from their psyche and which exerts often end up giving in unconsciously. Even though you know that you are hurting yourself and your loved ones.
The law expressly prohibits gambling by individuals who have not reached the age of majority. As such, online operators are required to take necessary measures to ensure that minors do not access gambling activities taking place on their websites. To this end, they must present clear registration procedures for all players and adopt mandatory age verification procedures for players.
Specifically, gaming operators adopt verification tools to prevent minors from opening a gaming account, and through the cooperation of the state, authorities exercise double verification of documentation submitted by users during registration. As a reminder, all games with cash winnings are reserved for those over 18 or in some states 21 years of age and can cause pathological addiction, and gaming operators must also compulsorily display the 18+/21+ logo.
Casino operators must work in contact with specialists in the field and promote the formation of groups and associations active in the field of study and rehabilitation from gambling. The task of institutions, however, does not end with the production of regulations alone: in fact, the work of casinos in the field of prevention and support for problem gamblers is subject to controls and audits to test their efficiency.
One of the main measures imposed by regulators and adopted by online casinos refers to self-exclusion programs. When the players feel the need to take a break from gambling, every licensed online casino provides them with an option called self-exclusion, which can be of two types (temporary or permanent).
The moment the players decide to self-exclude temporarily, the casino will freeze their gaming account for a period set by the user, and they will no longer be able to make any transactions or play. After the self-exclusion period has expired, the user will be able to access the gaming activity again, without the need for any further communication.
In addition to temporary self-exclusion, there is also the possibility to self-exclude from the game permanently, that is, without a time limit. In this case, six months after the gaming account has been blocked, the user can apply for readmission to the platform by sending a written request for revocation and attaching a valid ID, which will be double-checked. The goal of this tool is to recover a balanced attitude toward gaming that is focused on fun without turning into an obsession or an economic problem.
Several associations are operating in the US territory that combats pathological gaming and promotes legal and responsible gaming. The gaming operators themselves also develop nationwide programs to inform players about the possible problems that can result from compulsive gaming. Every state has its Gaming Commission or a similar organization that can provide aid to problem gamblers like:
Institutional bodies and programs on responsible gambling developed by legal operators are joined by private organizations. Among them is the National Council on Problem Gambling, the oldest organization created to support pathological gamblers and their families; of which problem gamblers themselves are members who pool their subjective experiences to try to solve the problem of compulsive gambling. The association has several branches throughout the country and allows problem gamblers themselves to attend weekly meetings anonymously.
Gamblers Anonymous and The National Council on Problem Gambling are the major organizations that share great tools with those who want assistance with their gambling addiction. One can call the NCPG helpline number at 1-800-522-4700 to get local help for gambling addiction. Its network has 28 call centers countrywide, as well as in Canada and the Virgin Islands. Their services are offered 24/7 and are 100% confidential!
It is important to feel safe when gambling online. First of all, you should check if it is a legal website on this register of authorized providers. If it is not on the register, it may be illegal. Even if you are using a legal US website or service, it is a good idea to make sure you avoid losing more than you can afford. Many gambling operators have attractive marketing and tempting offers. Always read the terms and conditions of your bet and be careful about betting on news such as the weather.
Notifications and promotions can induce you to bet more than you plan. Deactivate the receipt of e-mails and marketing messages to avoid decisions you might regret later. To opt-out, talk to your remote gaming provider or follow the links to responsible gaming on their website.
It is also a good idea to learn about betting websites and apps. They have features to help you play responsibly. For example, you can set limits on how much you deposit into your account and how much you can bet. Your bank may also be able to help you stay in control, either through spending tracking tools on banking apps and activity reports or through transaction limits. Ask your bank how they can help you. A great way to prevent gambling addiction is to use a separate wallet. This is a very useful strategy because it allows you to separate the money you use for gambling from the other money that you use for everyday expenses.
Finally, if your gambling gets out of hand, you can self-exclude yourself from your online betting accounts. You will be able to withdraw any remaining balance, but you will not be able to reopen the account, place bets or deposit any more money. If you just want to take a break, you can also temporarily deactivate your account. You can choose whether this is for days, weeks, or months.
In practice, on the one hand, the message "play for fun and you're safe" is let through, while on the other hand it appeals to the sense of responsibility of the gambler who is not always able to self-limit and curb what can to all intents and purposes become an unbridled and ruinous passion, indeed, a genuine disease, not easy to cure by the way. To sum up, it is possible to could say that gaming has to do with joy and fun, while it is also connected with the desire to realize easy winnings with a little effort.
It is a pastime like any other, as long as it remains just a pastime and does not instead become the sole reason for living. There are also a great many games where a far from the secondary role is played by the player's skill, such as sports poker. As long as one does not overdo it and has the knowledge that the last thing one should do is to become a slave to the game. The game is as good a way as any to socialize and spend carefree time with friends, and not an occupation with which to fill one's days or with which to escape reality.