Problem Gambling in Australia

What is problem gambling?

Aussies are the most frequent visitors to online casinos in the world, as the country offers many gaming opportunities. Most of the companies have an official license and are subject to online casino gaming laws, which allows users to visit their respective sites without any problems. However, such a variety of games and gaming sites leads to a loss of control. Gambling addiction means that you spend all your free time in real money online casinos, spend more money than you can afford, and forget about real life. This can be considered a mental illness that should be treated by appropriate specialists. However, despite the existing problem, only 2-3% of all Australian gamers suffer from gambling addiction.

Signs of problem gambling

Gambling addiction is an insidious disease that is difficult to identify on your own. Often you may not notice changes in your behavior until it is too late. Usually, various signs are identified by friends or relatives. The most common indicators of problems are financial and behavioral.

Financial attributes

If you notice changes in your behavior or that of friends or family members, then you may want to pay attention to the following financial signs:

• In order to place a bet, it becomes necessary to borrow money;
• Money began to disappear from your wallet or bank account;
• Valuables, equipment, or furniture have disappeared from the house;
• The constant need to take out a loan;
• Unreasonable use of finances;
• Hiding your financial situation from friends or relatives.

Mood and behavioral traits

People who suffer from addiction can also be identified by certain behavioral habits:

• Secrecy and isolation;
• Inability to concentrate due to which productivity decreases;
• Persistent and uncontrollable attacks of anxiety or worry;
• The emergence of depressive or suicidal thoughts;
• Improvement in daily habits, including sleep and eating;
• Manipulating the behavior of others.

Other signs

Also, most punters who are negatively affected by online gambling are prone to the following actions:

• They spend all their free time in online casinos;
• They hide their passion for betting from relatives or friends;
• They miss school or work;
• Their reputation and relationships with colleagues have deteriorated;
• They began to spend less time with friends or family;
• If they lose, they try to win back at any cost;
• With each game, they try to increase the bet amount;
• They visit online casinos to avoid financial problems or boredom;
• They try to control the gameplay, but they can’t.

You don’t need to have all the symptoms to identify a problem. The coincidence of several symptoms may already indicate the initial stage of addiction. In this case, you need to temporarily stop playing and seek professional help. Only specialists from the appropriate institution can conduct the necessary and complete examination, as well as make an accurate diagnosis.

Support for problem gambling

All Aussie online casinos have a customer support service, whose employees should be aware of problematic gaming issues and assist punters. They can give you valuable advice and help you block access to the game for a certain period of time.

In addition, Oz offers free and confidential consultations. Specialists will carefully and respectfully listen to your problem and help resolve it. To do this, you can call 1800 858 858 or visit http://www.gamblinghelponline.org.au/.

Other resources for problem gambling

Today many international organizations are ready to offer you their help. On their websites, you can learn useful information about responsible gambling, and get support or advice. Many of these organizations also have branches in Australia. The most popular and respectable are:

• Gamblers Anonymous: http://gaaustralia.org.au/;
• Gam-Anon: http://www.gam-anon.org/;
• Mission Australia: http://www.missionaustralia.com.au/;
• The National Council on Problem Gambling: http://www.ncpgambling.org; 
• GamCare: http://www.gamcare.org.uk/.

Help is available

If you suffer from a problem with betting, you can be sure that it is solvable. Today you can contact international, national, and even regional organizations that will help you overcome addiction.

New South Wales

• Gambling Impact Society is a non-profit organization whose purpose is to collaborate with other institutions and individuals to educate large audiences about gambling dependence and ways to overcome it;
• Gambling Help – this organization has been providing advice to gamblers for more than 20 years, and also provides assistance in case of addiction.

Victoria

• Problem Gambling is a 24/7 facility dedicated to providing free and confidential advice. The organization has developed a special method that allows you to reduce the desire to constantly gamble and ingrain those habits that allow you to remain a conscious player.

South Australia

• Problem Gambling Help – South Australia – Through this organization, you can access resources that offer help specifically in your area.

Queensland

• CentaCare – Queensland has been providing community support services for problem gambling for over 50 years.

Northern Territory

• Amity Community Services – This organization was founded in 1976 and has been helping people overcome addiction and return to conscious gambling ever since.

Western Australia

• Department of Racing, Gaming, and Liquor – This company offers a 24-hour helpline for those who have experienced changes in behavior as a result of playing at online casinos.

Tasmania

• Department of Health and Human Services – in this institution you can not only contact a support operator at any time of the day but also make a request for a personal consultation.

Australian Capital Territory

• Mission Australia – ACT – More than 3,500 volunteers from this organization provide free counseling to addicted gamblers and their families.