SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY PROBLEM WITH GAMBLING? We all take risks; gambling is a particular style of risk-taking that can be exciting and fun. For most people who enjoy gambling in a casino, it is an entertaining experience. The temptation to try your luck or re-experience an early win may be irresistible. Each time you win, you may find that you spend your winnings on more gambling. If you lose you may desperately continue, hoping that a ‘big win’ is just around the corner. The more you do this, the more absorbed you get in the activity. This is why gambling is habit-forming. If you have lost control with your gambling and it: has taken over your life dominates your thoughts reduces your ability to stop until you have run out of money has resulted in loss of relationships, friends, possessions or job DO YOU HAVE A GAMBLING PROBLEM? The following questions have been devised for gamblers to ask themselves: Have you put at risk important or significant relationships, educational studies, a job or your career because of gambling? Do you chase losses by continuing or quickly returning to gamble when on a losing streak? When you win do you have strong desire to return and win more? Do you ever gamble until you have completely run out of money? Have you lied, stolen or borrowed to get money for gambling? Are you reluctant to spend gambling money on anything else? Do you ever gamble for longer than you had planned? Do you ever gamble to escape worry, trouble, disappointment or frustration? Do you feel depressed or suicidal because of your gambling? Are you in debt because of gambling? Have you ever sold your own or your family possessions to get money to gamble or to pay gambling debts? The more you answer ‘yes’, the greater the likelihood of a serious gambling problem. Speak to someone about this. STRATEGIES FOR HELP TALK ABOUT IT Be honest, firstly with yourself and then with others. Talk about it with someone you trust: your family, a friend, a counsellor or call the GamCare Helpline. Talk to your Casino Manager, they do understand, their experience in the industry gives them an awareness of the issues involved. There are a number of options that the casino can implement to help you get your gambling dependency under control: Organise a period self suspension which will be confirmed to you in writing. After 6 months this can be reviewed. Limit the amount of money that can be withdrawn using cheque and debit card facilities. Resign from the Casino in writing stating the reason for your resignation. Most of all, take responsibility for yourself, don’t run away from your problems. It never solves anything. PRACTICAL STEPS Stop all gambling while breaking the habit. Look for patterns in your behaviours: Do you gamble when you are bored, stressed or under alot of pressure? Use a calendar and mark a day you do not gamble, so you can see the progress you make. Ask someone you trust to handle your money for an agreed amount of time (eg 3 months). Don’t use your cash point cards. Reward yourself after a period free from gambling by spending some of the money you have saved on yourself. Remember - take one day at a time. Overall be optimistic - You can overcome a gambling dependency. Some gamblers find it impossible to go back to gambling without losing control, whilst others at a later stage are able to return to controlled gambling. SEEKING HELP AND ADVICE GAMCARE Helpline: 0808 8020 133 gamcare.org.uk Provides information, advice and counselling to individuals, their family and friends who have concerns about problem gambling. GAMBLERS ANONYMOUS (GA) PO Box 88, London SW10 0EU gamblersanonymous.org.uk A self-help fellowship of compulsive gamblers wanting to address their gambling problems. Their sister organisation, GamAnon, runs groups for partners/families of compulsive gamblers. Groups are held weekly throughout the country. This is a debt gambling support unit offering sympathetic advice and support to help manage and deal with gambling related debt. INSOLVENCY HELPLINE Helpline: 0800 668 1391 insolvencyhelpline.co.uk The debt gambling support unit offers sympathetic advice and support to help manage and deal with your debt. GORDON MOODY ASSOCIATION Tel: 01384 241 292 gordonmoody.org.uk A hostel providing accommodation, therapy and rehabilitation for compulsive gamblers. Home Our Casinos COVID-19 Health & Safety Head Office Club Rules Social Responsibility Privacy Policy Gender Pay Gap Terms & Conditions Customer Notice GAMBLE RESPONSIBLY | MUST BE OVER 18 Cookie Control Icon For more detailed information about the cookies we use, see our Cookies page. Cookie Control Link Icon SAVE AND CLOSE