Gambling Awareness Month
March is one of the busiest times of the year when it comes to betting in the US. On top of NBA and NHL games, you have March Madness and the MLB season kicks off too. And that’s not even including online casino play. Therefore, it’s important to proactively discuss things like the ‘Be Gamble Aware’ Campaign.
And that’s the key to tackling any problem, it’s discussing it. We discuss many difficult topics in society, but for some unknown reason, not everyone feels confident enough to discuss problem gambling. Initiatives like Gamble Awareness month try to help tackle this issue and it’s clear the industry on the whole is also trying to proactively do their bit.
What is Gamble Awareness Month?
Gamble Awareness month takes place in March of each year and sets out to promote problem gambling prevention. The campaign began back in 2003 and tries to promote a message each year. This year’s initiative is centered around understanding. The aim is to create a deeper understanding of problem gambling, as up until recent years it’s been very much misinterpreted.
Problem Gambling Awareness Month was set up by the National Council on Problem Gambling and they partner with various organisations to help spread the message. This year they have partnered with the PGA Tour, who host many golf tournaments in the US each year.
What are operators doing to help aid the issue?
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Tackling the Issue
Contrary to popular belief, things are heading in the right direction. Many surveys and polls will often show you that problem gambling is on the rise. While this is not untrue, it definitely doesn’t show the whole picture. Numbers are on the rise, but that is because the number of people that gamble today has increased year on year.
Reputable and responsible online casinos are actively tackling the issue. There are now more self help tools available today than there ever has been. These include the following.
Self Help Tools
Deposit Limits: You can now set limits on how much money you deposit over a certain period. These can be daily limits, weekly limits or monthly ones. You can even use all three if you wish.
Loss Limits: Loss limits work by limiting how much you can lose over a certain period. Many get this confused with deposit limits and look at them both as the same but they’re not. For example, you could make a deposit of £100, win £500 and then lose £300 of those winnings. Your deposit limit would be affected by £100, where your loss limit would have £300 against it.
Time Limits: This feature lets you set a limit on the amount of time you spend playing. You can set the limit per session or per day. This way your gaming sessions won’t interfere with things like work and you won’t be inclined to chase any losses you make.
Self-exclusion: In some cases, players may want to take a break or stop gambling entirely. Self-exclusion programs enable you to stop playing by enforcing a ban on your account for a set time.
Why Operator Support Matters
Responsible gambling isn’t only down to the player. Online casinos, like PokerStars, also have a role to play by making safer gambling tools easy to find and simple to use. Clear account controls can make a real difference. When players can set limits, take breaks or check their activity without hassle, they are more likely to keep track of how much time and money they are spending.
Support also matters because gambling habits can change gradually. Someone might not notice straight away that they are playing more often, chasing losses or spending more than planned. Clear tools and access to support can make it easier to do something about it sooner. This helps keep gambling as entertainment, instead of something that starts to affect money, time or wellbeing.
When Is It Time to Take a Break From Gambling?
It may be time to take a break if gambling stops feeling fun, starts affecting the player’s mood or leads to them spending more than they meant to. Other warning signs include chasing losses, hiding how much they play or gambling when feeling stressed. Taking a break doesn’t have to be a big step. Even using a short time-out, setting stricter limits or getting advice can help reset and stay in control.
The Future of Responsible Gambling
Like many industries today, the casino industry relies heavily on technology. Technology is making the games more immersive and with the use of AI we can now have a more tailored experience. However, some casinos are now using AI to help spot the early signs of problem gambling. They do this by combining algorithms and neuroscience to assess player habits and behaviour.
Some players believe this is an invasion of privacy, but it’s not much different than retail outlets monitoring your purchases and search history to provide shopping suggestions. The technology is there, so why not make the most of it? As always, have fun, stay safe and gamble responsibly.
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