Don’t blow the rent money on the slots – here’s how to practice responsible gambling
Whether it’s the jingle of a slot machine, the throw of the dice or the pounding of the horses’ hooves over the finish line, the thrill of playing the game keeps gamblers coming back for more.
For most people gambling is a form of harmless entertainment but for others, it may become difficult to control. Gambling becomes a problem when the gambler starts spending more money and time on gambling and takes risks as he or she chases that big win. Gambling can also become an addiction, resulting in heartache for families, broken relationships and possibly even financial ruin.
Wise-up on responsible gambling
Set a monthly entertainment budget Allocate an amount for entertainment on your household expenses budget. This includes all forms of entertainment – movies, eating out, cable TV, golf days, gambling — anything entertainment-related that you do on a monthly basis that requires payment. Calculate how much you have to spend on gambling every month.
Plan how much you want to spend on the day. If you are going to gamble, set an amount and take only that money with you. The old saying goes: ‘gamble with money you can afford to lose.’ You may win, but the odds always favour the house. Never gamble with money you need to pay bills or with money you’ve obtained through a line of credit.
Set a time limit. It’s easy to get swept up in the thrill of gambling and the buzz of the casino, and you can lose track of time. Allocate a time to leave. Consider other responsibilities you may have.
Avoid alcohol while gambling. The more you drink, the less likely you are to make good decisions on how much to spend and when to stop.
Know when it’s time to stop. If you are winning, take a break. If you have lost money, don’t try to recoup the loss, it’s unlikely you will. Never gamble to try to win money to pay bills.
Never leave your children unattended while you gamble. If you do gamble at a casino, make use of the supervised childcare facilities available. A responsible gambler and parent won’t leave a child in the care of another for many hours. Consider your child’s needs.
Problem gambling: warning signs
Is gambling becoming a problem for you? Recognising these warning signs can help you take action now and possibly prevent the serious consequences of irresponsible gambling further down the line. Some people can help themselves and cut down or stop gambling. Others are unable to control their gambling and require professional help.
Ask yourself these questions and be honest with your answers.
How often do you gamble? Do you miss work to gamble?
How long do you play for? Has this increased since you first started gambling?
Have you started using money allocated for other expenses? Do you try to recoup losses?
Do you borrow or steal money to gamble?
Are you neglecting your family or evading responsibilities to give you more time to gamble
Are your relationships breaking down?
Don’t be afraid to ask for help, whether for yourself, a family member or friend. Contact the National Responsible Gambling Programme’s counselling line on 0800 006 008 or SMS 076 674 0710. Both the call and the treatment are free of charge. A trained councillor will explain the various forms of help available.
Resources
National Responsible Gambling Programme (www.responsiblegambling.co.za)