If you are a gambler, it is always a good idea to know a few things about responsible gambling. You should set limits on your own money, you should have a positive play scale, and you should surround yourself with other responsible gamblers. Practicing responsible gambling can help you prevent problem gambling and mental health issues.
Positive play scale
Positive play is a term that is used to describe a set of behavioural behaviours that focuses on gambling that is controlled and is not considered to be risky. These behaviors include taking responsibility for your actions, not allowing yourself to be influenced by others and understanding the probability of success. In the modern gambling industry, there are various programs that educate players on the odds of success and how to gamble responsibly.
Positive Play Scale (PPS) is a self-report questionnaire that was designed to measure responsible gambling. It consists of four subscales: Personal Responsibility Scale, Gambling Literacy, Superstition and Pre-commitment.
PPS was developed by researchers and players with the aim of determining the relationship between PGSI scores and harm. The scale is a validated tool that is currently being used for both the Macau and Chinese Gambler populations.
In the study, positive play was defined as the willingness to take personal responsibility for gambling. Problem gamblers have several motivations and may find it difficult to enjoy a good time. This is due to a range of factors including the lack of support, a lack of understanding of how to make sound decisions and the perception that the gambler has no control over the outcome.
Researchers evaluated positive play by using an exploratory statistical approach. A sample of older gamblers in British Columbia were administered a self-report survey. They were divided into lower, moderate and high risk groups and scored on measures of gambling benefits and harm.
Results indicated that PPS scores were negatively related to the level of gambling harm. Interestingly, the scores of the person-responsibility scale were also associated with gambling harm. Nevertheless, these behavioural subscales were still negatively associated with PGSI scores.
In order to evaluate the predictive value of PPS, the relationship between the score and the harm scores was analyzed using hierarchical regression. Positive play was found to have a modest variance with the PGSI. Despite this, the scores of the three subscales were lowest in the problem group. Moreover, the gambling literacy subscale was not significantly associated with harm.
Set financial limits
If you’re planning to spend the rest of your life gambling, then you’ll need to set some limits. There are various reasons to do so including the risk of addiction. Fortunately, there are tools to help you do so. In particular, the aforementioned entails taking a hard look at your financials and figuring out where your money is going. Not only that, but if you are using credit cards to gamble, you are probably facing substantial financial repercussions.
One of the best ways to do so is to establish a monetary limit for yourself. For instance, you could eschew splurging on a night out or on a new pair of shoes in favor of an evening of family fun. Alternatively, you can use the excess cash to fund an enjoyable activity such as a family getaway, a new car or even a down payment on a home. Ideally, you’ll be able to set some limits and stick to them.
Getting a handle on the nitty gritty of your finances is not always the easiest thing to do. However, the more organized you are, the easier it will be to keep your sanity. You can also avoid the temptation of spending your hard-earned money on booze or a trip to the casino. It is also best to keep a close eye on your accounts, or better yet, monitor them via a smartphone app. This way, you’ll know if you are being prudent or not. Luckily, there are plenty of apps and sites to help you do just that.
As a matter of fact, you might not even have to go anywhere to get started. Several online gambling sites provide built-in money limit tools. To make things even more convenient, you can even sign up for a rewards program that helps you stay on track. Most sites will even let you earn points for completing your wagers, which can be used to cash in on rewards like a free spin on the slots.
Surround yourself with other responsible gamblers
If you’re planning to make gambling a part of your lifestyle, here are a few things to consider. You can play it safe, or you can make it a point to have a few drinks in your hand at the drop of a hat. The latter option is the polar opposite of the former. Regardless of your preference, be sure to have the right kind of attitude when the chips fall. Otherwise, you’re bound to be on the receiving end of some nifty legal tender. Having a solid attitude will help you acquit yourself of any unscrupulous characters who are merely after a quick snoot.
Surround yourself with smart people, not drunken jackasses and you’ll be golden. Having a social life is a must, but if you are fortunate enough to have a spouse or partner you can take it up a notch. Luckily, there is a wealth of online resources to help you. A few sites offer online courses and workshops aimed at helping you learn more about yourself and others. These are especially helpful if you’ve recently suffered a loss of significant proportions. This is not an uncommon occurrence, as many gambling venues have experienced a recent rash of losses. To avoid such disasters, be sure to plan ahead and make use of social and financial resources. For those looking for a bit of lev-e-levy, there are numerous organizations such as the American Institute of Mental Health that may be able to provide guidance.
Problem gambling can lead to mental health problems
Problem gambling is a common condition that can cause significant emotional distress. It can affect both the gambler and their family and friends. The disorder is characterized by the gambler’s inability to control his or her behavior. This can lead to financial difficulties, legal problems, and mental health issues.
People with problem gambling are more likely to have other mental health disorders. Some of these include bipolar disorder, depression, and anxiety. Many problem gamblers also have substance abuse problems. These are often treated with cognitive behavioral therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy involves analyzing the person’s gambling behavior and changing unhealthy patterns of thought.
In addition to mental health effects, problem gambling can affect relationships and finances. A person who has a problem may be borrowing money, spending a lot of time on gambling, and neglecting their children. Family and friends may feel threatened by the gambler’s behavior.
Gambling can cause depression, stress, and low self-esteem. Often, the gambler feels that they are more likely to win than they are. They may also believe that certain rituals will bring luck.
Problem gamblers also have high rates of suicide. In fact, one in five of all problem gamblers has attempted to commit suicide.
Research has found that people who have problem gambling are less likely to seek professional help. There are many barriers to treatment. They include feeling powerless to stop the behavior, stigma against mental illnesses, and a lack of clarity about the available treatments.
A psychometrically valid screening instrument, such as the South Oaks Gambling Screen, can be used in any treatment setting to identify at-risk gambling behaviors. However, rates of professional help-seeking are still low. Typically, a person who has a problem begins the process by seeking informal help.
Problem gambling can be prevented through authentic engagement. By involving people with lived experience in the prevention process, care providers can tailor messaging and approaches to meet the needs of their target audience. Additionally, it can help identify any gaps in care.
As with any addiction, the best approach is to get help from a trained professional. If you or a loved one is struggling with a gambling problem, there are many resources.