Gambling Addiction in Australia

ACMA (Australian Communications and Media Authority) statistics indicate that 11% of Australians participate in online gambling. The number increased from 3% to 8% in 2020 after online gaming sites and platforms rose in 2019. Nowadays, playing pokies, live casinos, sports betting, and live bets are forms of online gambling for real money. Gambling can rapidly become an addiction once you no longer play for fun and entertainment but look to earn or win back the amount spent or lost. Here is more on problem gambling or addiction when playing in online casinos. 

What is Problem Gambling?

Problem gambling is a situation where the results of the game are no longer entertaining to a player. Casinos are a dangerous environment where players have to know how to stop gambling online to keep all the other functions of their regular lives running. In Australia, problem gambling has a harmful impact related to the time or money wasted by problem players. 

Problem gambling arises from a player inability to control their action after logging into gaming sites online and, for instance, going above and beyond their set gambling timeline or spending more than planned in their budget. As a result, they experience shortages in the money needed for groceries, rent or mortgages, and more. 

Addiction to games online can be of three forms.

Compulsive Gambling 

A condition where the Aussie player has no control over their actions. A compulsive player can wager and bet on any game or sport using real money without considering the potential outcomes of losing or winning. These players will have an excuse for every reason to stake their money in casino games.

Most of them take the step forward even when there’s no more cash to pay or spend in the online casino, even if it means no money for crucial payments after experiencing a loss. The players aim to earn more than lose and will continue with that target in mind. However, the outcomes for most compulsive players are not positive and result in frustrations and addiction. 

Binge Gambling

Binge gambling manifests in a similar way to compulsive gambling. The only difference is that binge gambling occurs periodically. For instance, a player can abstain from gambling for days, weeks, or even months. But, once the player logs into a casino site, they do not leave their seats for days or weeks, playing continuously till all their gambling money is spent or used. These players are under the illusion of having their playing activities under control. But, the individuals lack self-control and have no limits on their gambling activities. 

Problem Gambling

Not an extreme case compared to compulsive or binge gambling. But, players still lose a chunk of those who had earned money, wins, or bank balances. Problem gamblers chase losses or winnings in a casino, not adhering to a specific limit for winnings or losses. The gambling activities one takes on are not compulsive and do not last long. But a player will wish to get back what one has lost, which spirals out of control. 

Such players have difficulties keeping their gambling activities on track. Most are risk takers, especially when faced with gambling features and other enticements present in a casino asking to double or triple current wins. It becomes difficult to resist. So problem gaming is the lightest form of addiction, but it can continue growing if not cut off on time!  

How Do I Know If I Have a Gambling Addiction?

Many help services have ways of identifying players facing problem gambling. The DSM 5 criteria used to diagnose players highlight a few points to detect the issue. They include: 

• Spending more and more time gambling online.
• Spending more cash than once deposited on an online site.
• Staying away from dealing with regular day-to-day challenges such as rent or buying groceries.
• Illegal actions in an attempt to finance your gambling activities, such as stealing household items.
• Asking family members for money to make payments to your gambling account online after playing excessively and not stopping.
• Continuing to play even after losing or winning a substantial amount leads to more significant losses and more frustrations.
• Lying to friends and family regarding your online activities and feeling annoyed when asked or denied access to the casino or gambling platform. 

Why Do People Keep Gambling?

Many Aussie players start gambling to pass some time and have fun online. The feelings evolve into an escape from loneliness or boredom after work. But the adrenaline that pumps after a win, or potential success, pushes one to try and earn more through gambling wins. Many forget to ask whether or not one should gamble online and what profits one expects. Many players often forget that casinos never lose. Listed below are the reasons why people keep gambling. 

• To escape from reality

What’s a better way to release your emotions or fight stress than playing in an online casino? You get so many gaming options it’s easy to get carried away. Looking for a release from aggression, go ahead and pound on some zombies, shoot beyond enemy lines to gather a win, or build protection barriers, fantasy lands, and magical islands. Casino game features make players addicted by becoming a perfect stress reliever. 

• To solve financial troubles 

When reality shows that you have no more cash for daily expenditures, most people look forward to gambling online. Most look towards doubling the little they have on the gaming tables. What punters forget is that casinos don’t lose. The reality worsens for them when they spend more and more on an online gambling platform but don’t win anything back.

• To avoid loneliness

Keeping up with the changing times means adapting to various social activities. Since 2019, socialising has become an online activity. Players communicate, share ideas, and engage in gambling activities in most settings online. So the internet has become one colossal meeting place for players across the globe. 

Anyone desiring a company can gamble in a live casino for real money. Here you socialise with players across Australia and experience gambling first-hand. However, such games are quite competitive, and the amount spent in a single sitting may be double or triple your regular expenditure. Therefore, to make it in that social setting, you have to pay more and, most likely, lose more than you win, which can be a problem. 

• To get adrenaline from taking risks

Human nature loves taking risks, and the adrenaline drawn from it is pretty appealing. The hope to double the wins or have a potential big win is enough to draw more Aussie players to gamble again. The higher the amount to collect and the shorter the offer period, the more players scramble to bet and win. Players look for high-risk options offering fast and high wins but also huge wager amounts, boosting one eagerness to play. 

• To avoid stigmatisation 

Gamblers are frowned upon by society. Even though many countries, including Australia, have legit gambling places and offshore sites, players often hide their gambling activities. On a regular basis, society has a few descriptions for anyone found gambling. People say gamblers are: 

• Irresponsible: people who do not take their daily responsibilities seriously.
• Selfish: people who only think of themselves in any situation.
• Manipulative: people who use others to achieve their objectives regardless of the impacts of that step on other people.

Gamblers may try to solve the addiction problem by themselves before finding help from the community or society. However, it’s practically approved that seeking help from someone, who would understand you and help you fight the problem, is much more effective.

How to Help Yourself?

An individual must take the first step to recover from addiction or problem gambling. Most of the effort arises from within. Players must address minor issues such as time and money spent online gambling. It’s only possible through setting a budget and allocating money for gambling online or using a timer to restrict how much time you gamble. 

Completing these small tasks allows you to control your overall behaviour online. Sticking to the time limit and setting an upper limit for expenditures and wins also helps limit the chances of problem gambling. You should spend a specific amount within a particular period in a day. No chasing losses or wins will keep you safe from addiction.

The next steps on your way to getting rid of the gambling problem can be the following.

1. Seek medical attention

Go for counselling and therapy sessions since there is no magical pill to cure you of gambling addiction. You may receive antidepressants and other medications to help reduce that gambling urge. However, the most effective option is counselling or another therapy system. Therapy sessions help stabilise your mental condition. The underlying cause for your problem with gambling may be a psychological issue. Getting treatment after a medical diagnosis is the best option for problem gamblers.

2. Find support groups online 

Support groups help individuals face their challenges while sharing worries and making new friends. A physical release for your frustrations with problem gambling can help you meet the changes. Through peer support, you can get through your anxieties. Support groups also have mentorship programs for people who have undergone treatment and won the addiction to help others facing the same problem. Through support groups and medical assistance, you get help in all directions and your recovery period lessens. 

3. Talk to your family

Keeping yourself busy with other work-related activities, other hobbies, or with your family can also help mitigate your gaming needs. Your family is your number one support, and if you are willing to change, everyone will be there to help you. Remember, speak up when you face challenges, and be truthful to your family, they will get you through the hardships.

4. Use responsible gambling online tools

Online casinos and other gambling sites offer several options to help punters follow the principles of responsible gambling. You can prevent the occurrence of problem gambling if you become conscious of them. Some of the measures you can find on a gambling site include:

• Self-exclusion: player stops gambling for a specified period. During self-exclusion, casinos suspend your account. You cannot open a new account in any other casino or sports betting site in Australia to keep yourself away from gambling. 
• Budget limit: specify the amount you can spend in a day, week, or month. The budget has a cap limit on the amount you deposit or wager within a specific timeline. Once the limit is used up, you cannot continue playing. 
• Time tracking: keep track of the time and amount you spend online. If your time limit is 2 hours each day, an alarm goes off once the time is up.
• Smart tech: use unique apps to keep track of your time, money spent, favourite games, bets, and sports. Technologies can keep you from problem gambling. For example, alarm clocks in a smartphone or notifications pop up and make a sound once the time is up.

Resources and Support

Australia has major player support systems for anyone wanting to gamble just for fun online. If you need more information on problem gambling, reach out to the following support groups.

Summary

Gambling addiction is a significant issue for players worldwide. However, most gambling businesses look towards making more money and generating profits rather than taking care of their players. Only a few casinos offer responsible gambling tools. Since the responsibility is primarily punters anyway, players must look for other ways to fight problem gambling, such as turning to the helplines and joining support groups. With all the methods available, any punter facing addiction to gambling can turn the tables and enjoy a great time online!