Responsible gaming

What does responsible gambling mean?

Responsible gambling encompasses various measures to reduce the development of bad gambling habits. The goal of responsible gambling is the adoption of healthy gambling behavior. The game should above all be based on relaxation and fun. Even if the majority of players have a responsible gambling behavior, it is extremely difficult for some to control their desire to play. This is where some people become addicted to gambling.

Responsible gambling must allow you to perfectly control your gambling habits. The passion for playing should not have consequences on everyday life. To this end, a legal framework must be respected. Gambling should be seen as a hobby in order to manage your habits as well as possible.

How to recognize if you have a gambling problem?

Here is a list of different symptoms to alarm about a possible addiction to gambling. Being dependent can also occur. Various studies have shown that being close to winning increases the desire to play in the long term tenfold. Everyone wants to earn a lot of money. Thus, it is complicated to control yourself, especially for some people.

Here are the signs of a gambling addiction :

• Playing too long ;
• Spending more and more ;
• Using the game in order to become rich ;
• Borrow in order to play and have problems paying back ;
• Have no interest in hobbies other than gambling ;
• Neglecting your loved ones ;
• No longer worrying about the future but only about the game ;
• Playing in order to make up for your losses ;
• Lying to play ;
• Being affected by stress and anxieties ;
• Having the need to play to escape reality ;
• Neglecting one's work and/or studies ;
• And finally, lying to yourself!

Thus, if you feel one or more of his people, do not hesitate to talk to an expert about it.

Does your gambling affect the people closest to you?

When we play a lot, the only victim is not the player. Indeed, it is often the entourage who toasts. Betting a lot of money leads to loss of income. Thus, it may happen that bills, taxes or credits are more difficult to pay. This can even lead to over-indebtedness, consequently affecting everyone around you.

In addition to this terrible financial aspect, it is the social life that is affected. Indeed, the relatives will gradually decrease the contacts with the player and his entourage. Isolation is a real strategy to survive. In this way, the family will not expose themselves and reveal their worries in the open. There is also the feeling of shame that contributes to this. Thus, a whole family can be sacrificed for the sake of the game.

List of problem gambling support organizations

If you have any concerns, there are various professional organizations in Canada to help you get back on track. If you have a gambling addiction (or someone close to you), we advise you to contact the ProblemGambling-ca organization or the platform jeu-aidereference.qc.ca . Both of these sites are perfect for problem gamblers. Here are also the numbers of the second platform: (514) 527-0140 (Montreal and surroundings) 1-800-461-0140 and 1-866-767-5389 (elsewhere in Quebec)

Besides that, there are other options to ask for help and advice in relation to gambling problems. Here is one last useful link: The Canadian Partnership for Responsible Gambling.