In this weeks installment of creepy-as-shit PSAs from the U.K., we have a campaign from agency 18 Feet and Rising about the apparently quite talkative inner demons that people with a gambling problem struggle with.

Two spots below are part of a new Voices campaign aimed at young people 15-24, recently identified as a risk group in data from the Gambling Commission. The campaign is also notable for being directed by Tom Tagholm of Park Pictures, well known for making the original and stunning Meet the Superhumans Paralympics ad for Channel 4 back in 2012.

The new campaignfor BeGambleAware, the leading charity in the U.K. committed to minimizing gambling-related harmpersonifies addicts troubled inner voice in the form of a creepy bystander who has clearly watched Ben Kingsley in Sexy Beast more than one.

The unsettling spots certainly leave an impression. Will addicts see themselves in these scenarios? Perhaps, though the sad truth is that any addiction is not something that can easily be scared out of you.

CREDITS Client: BeGambleAware Agency: 18 Feet and Rising Executive Creative Director: Anna Carpen Creative Director: Will Thacker Creative: Will Thacker, Louis Jopling Agency Producer: Russell Taylor Assistant Producer: Lewis OBrien Business Director: Adrienne Little, Andrew Barnard Senior Account Manager: Emma French Strategist: Jack Carrington, Frances Docx Production Company: Park Pictures Director: Tom Tagholm Executive Producer: Stephen Brierley Producer: Nick Goldsmith, Sophie Hubble Co Producer: Freya Silk DOP: Mauro Chiarello Editor: Leo King at Stitch Prod Designer: Simon Davis Post Production: MPC Colourist: George Kyriacou VFX artist: Kamen Markov Post Production Producer: Amy Richardson Sound: Anthony Moore at Factory Media: Goodstuff Communications (Rob Donnellan)

Originally posted here:

A Creepy Dude Is Your Inner Gambling Addict in These Horrifying PSAs From Tom Tagholm - Fishbowl NY (blog)

We obviously have a problem with basic civics knowledge in this country, and it leads to a lot of unnecessary conflict. A Jan. 29 Eagle editorial led the column with a quote from our constitution regarding lotteries and gift enterprises then went on to discuss gambling.

Our constitution was specific in this matter prohibiting two forms of risk games. It does not use the generic term gambling, so the legislature has no authority to make laws about the other forms like casinos and race tracks. As written in our constitution, lotteries are quite clear.

Gift Enterprise is also common in legal terms and is a form of lottery like raffles and bingo this is particularly clear since our constitution describes the selling of tickets to participate.

I am indifferent on the subject of all these forms of gambling, and quite comfortable if it were in the hands of the people. However, I am against constitutional ignorance, allowing anyone to claim or inflate powers and disturb our system of government where the people are the source of power.

The government is not the sovereign in this country and we should never encourage them to take action outside of power granted. It is irresponsible to propagate general ignorance in the populace. To be clear, the people of Alabama granted power to our legislature to make law prohibiting gift enterprises and lotteries this does not include poker or dog tracks. Only the people should be re-defining this via constitutional amendment. Our government is wrong in that it has banned all forms of gambling without authority.

Read more:

Raising a question about gambling prohibition - Dothan Eagle

One consistent theme for gaming stocks over the past two decades is that growth hasn't been hard to come by. Ever since Steve Wynn opened the Mirage in Las Vegas in 1989, it seemed like the industry was on a tear to build bigger and better casinos around the world. First Las Vegas and Atlantic City were built out, then Macau and Singapore came online, and now there's an East Coast gaming boom.

But growth for casino operators is becoming harder to come by, and that may signal a major shift for the gaming industry. Maybe it's even time for gaming companies to look past growth to returning cash to shareholders?

Macau's skyline at night. Image source: Getty Images.

For most of the 1990s and 2000s, the world's two most important gaming markets were Las Vegas and Atlantic City. Gaming companies rapidly built new casinos, which drew more customers, which led to more casinos being built, and an upward cycle emerged. But in the last decade, the pattern has been a little different.

Gaming revenue in Las Vegas and Atlantic City. Data Source: Las Vegas Gaming Commission and New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement. Chart by the author.

As the chart above shows, gaming revenue in Las Vegas has stagnated over the past decade, and Atlantic City's numbers have fallen off a cliff. It's no wonder that no major resort has been built in Las Vegas in six years (the Cosmopolitan, which went bankrupt during construction but opened in December 2010, was the last) and Atlantic City can't even keep new casinos operating. Growth has dried up in both markets.

For many years, gaming companies focused their growth dollars on Macau, where Las Vegas Sands (NYSE:LVS), Wynn Resorts (NASDAQ:WYNN), and MGM Resorts (NYSE:MGM) have all opened properties. But Macau has suffered its own hardships over the last three years.

Data source: Macau Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau. Chart by the author.

So, three of the biggest markets in gaming are all experiencing challenges, if not downright collapses. What can the gaming companies do to grow?

When there aren't any big growth markets, gaming companies have gone looking for opportunity in other locales. MGM Resorts recently completed National Harbor near Washington, D.C., and has a resort under construction in Springfield, Massachusetts. Wynn is building a property in Everett, Massachusetts, just outside of downtown Boston; Las Vegas Sands opened Sands Bethlehem in northeastern Pennsylvania.

The problem with all of these resorts is that they're entering, and further diluting, the barely profitable East Coast gaming market. They're also searching for growth in areas where gambling and high-end resorts aren't really a staple, which could be a big risk, long term. The decline of regional gaming was a big reason Caesars Entertainment's largest subsidiary was forced into bankruptcy, and why Foxwoods, Trump, Revel, and Stations Casinos have either had financial trouble or gone into bankruptcy. Yet it's these same regional markets where it has proved difficult to make money that major casinos are building in.

Gone are the days where casino companies could just expand up and down the Las Vegas Strip. That was the tactic that made MGM, Mirage, Mandalay Group, and Caesars Entertainment what they were before they consolidated. So if growth opportunities aren't attractive anymore, it may be time to try another strategy.

Rather than bringing new casinos to markets that aren't all that attractive to begin with, gaming companies could transform themselves into cash flow machines for investors. Las Vegas Sands has started paying a dividend and currently yields 5.6%, while Wynn Resorts pays a more modest 2.1% yield. With growth options limited, paying dividends may be the best use of cash in today's casino business. That's a change from what investors have expected in the past, but today's gaming giants may become tomorrow's dividend aristocrats, given the limited opportunities they have for growth.

Travis Hoium owns shares of Wynn Resorts. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

The rest is here:

The Newest Challenge in Gambling: Finding Growth - Motley Fool

wtkr.com

GAO report recommends military members be screened for ... wtkr.com A new report from the United States Government Accountability Office is recommending that the military screen its members for gambling disorder addiction. Military Should Screen for Gambling Disorder, GAO Says | Military.comMilitary.com all 2 news articles »

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GAO report recommends military members be screened for ... - wtkr.com

Did you win any money from your Super Bowl pool?

Congratulations!

Now make sure you report iton your2017 tax return.

Yep. Gambling winnings of any kind are taxable income, and Uncle Sam wants his cut.

So if you had winnings from the Super Bowl, a fantasy league or even the local lotto, make sure you tally them all up with the money made in Vegas last year.

All gambling winnings are reported as "Other Income" on line 21 of your Form 1040.

Your losses, on the other hand, are limited.

You only can deduct your losses to the extent of your winnings, says Nathan Rigney of The Tax Institute at H&R Block.

So if you won $1,000 last year but lost $1,500, you can only report $1,000 in losses.

The other $500 is, well, lost.

And you can't carry those losses back or forward, like you can in other situations, notes Cari Weston, director of tax practice and ethics for the AICPA.

It gets worse. Your losses are reported on line 28 of your Schedule A - Itemized Deductions.

So if you are a high earner, your itemized deductions may be reduced because of the overall adjusted gross income limitation. Then you won't be able to deduct the full amount of your gambling losses.

The good news is that losses from one kind of gambling are deductible against gains from another kind.

So let's say in 2016 you played the lotteryevery week at $10 a pop and didn't win a thing. But you did hit it big at your Church bingo night and won $3,000. Since you had winnings, you at least can take a deduction for the $520 you dropped (wasted) on the lotto.

Read more from the original source:

How to Handle Gambling Wins and Losses This Tax Season - TheStreet.com

By Fred Cicetti

Q. I see lots of seniors in casinos. They come in by the busload. I was wondering whether older people have more problems with gambling than younger people?

A. About 1 percent of all adults in the United States have a serious gambling addiction. The statistics on senior gambling indicate that compulsive gambling is a greater problem among older adults than adults in general.

One study found that 10 percent of seniors were at risk gamblers. The study said a gambler was at risk when wagering more than $100 in a single bet, or betting beyond what was affordable.

A federal study found that the percentage of over-65 Americans who recently gambled jumped from 20 percent in 1974 to 50 percent in 1998, a surge unmatched by any other age group.

New Jersey's Council on Compulsive Gambling has created a program to educate seniors about gambling addiction. According to the council, about 5 percent of the seniors who gamble appear to have a problem. The Council should know about this subject; Atlantic City is in New Jersey.

A study by the state of Florida found that retirees make up 34 percent of casino regulars gamblers who brought their money four or more times a year. The casinos help out by sending buses to senior centers to pick up potential bettors.

The American Psychiatric Association classifies compulsive gambling as an impulse-control disorder. Imbalances in the brain chemicals serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine may be factors in compulsive gambling. Many people are able to control their compulsive gambling with medications and psychotherapy, and with the aid of self-help groups.

Gamblers Anonymous provides a 12-step program patterned after Alcoholics Anonymous. GA has more than 1,200 U.S. locations and 20 international chapters. You can find GA on the internet at gamblersanonymous.org. The phone number for GA is 626-960-3500.

GA offers the following 20 questions to help people decide if they have a compulsion to gamble and want to stop. Most compulsive gamblers will answer yes to at least seven of these questions.

1. Did you ever lose time from work or school due to gambling?

2. Has gambling ever made your home life unhappy?

3. Did gambling affect your reputation?

4. Have you ever felt remorse after gambling?

5. Did you ever gamble to get money with which to pay debts or otherwise solve financial difficulties?

6. Did gambling cause a decrease in your ambition or efficiency?

7. After losing did you feel you must return as soon as possible and win back your losses?

8. After a win did you have a strong urge to return and win more?

9. Did you often gamble until your last dollar was gone?

11. Have you ever sold anything to finance gambling?

12. Were you reluctant to use "gambling money" for normal expenditures?

13. Did gambling make you careless of the welfare of yourself or your family?

14. Did you ever gamble longer than you had planned?

15. Have you ever gambled to escape worry, trouble, boredom, loneliness, grief or loss?

16. Have you ever committed, or considered committing, an illegal act to finance gambling?

17. Did gambling cause you to have difficulty in sleeping?

18. Do arguments, disappointments or frustrations create within you an urge to gamble?

19. Did you ever have an urge to celebrate any good fortune by a few hours of gambling?

20. Have you ever considered self-destruction or suicide as a result of your gambling?

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Older gamblers face worse odds for addiction - Times Herald-Record

Tom Brady and the New England Patriots were not the only ones breaking records at Sunday's Super Bowl as gamblers in Nevada set a new mark for betting on the NFL's championship game.

The $138.5 million that was bet in Nevada's 196 sports books easily surpassed the previous high of $132.5 million for last year's Super Bowl, according to unaudited figures released by the Nevada Gaming Control Board on Monday.

Nevada sports books kept a combined $10.9 million from Super Bowl bets, or 7.9 percent of the total money wagered on the game, down from the $13.3 million, or 10.1 percent, they kept last year.

The sports books have now come out ahead in nine consecutive Super Bowls, their last loss coming in 2008 when the New York Giants beat New England.

The Patriots, led by Brady, entered Sunday's game in Houston as a three-point favorite over the Atlanta Falcons but had to pull off the greatest Super Bowl comeback to register the win.

In doing so, Brady also set a number of individual records, including becoming the first starting quarterback in the NFL to win five Super Bowls.

(Reporting by Frank Pingue in Toronto; Editing by Peter Rutherford)

Sacramento Kings power forward DeMarcus Cousins is facing a suspension after receiving his 16th technical foul of the season on Monday against the Chicago Bulls.

ST MORITZ, Switzerland Lindsey Vonn's first run at the World Championships lasted just a few seconds on Tuesday when the American slid out of the Super-G in St Moritz.

NEW YORK Heavyweight boxing champion Deontay Wilder and Russian boxer Alexander Povetkin battled in court on Tuesday, at a trial over a title bout that was called off after the Russian tested positive for a banned substance.

See more here:

Super Bowl sets gambling record at Nevada sports books - Reuters

Last week was quite eventful for the gambling industry with revenues for January rising marginally in Macau. Though this marked the sixth consecutive month of growth, following the extended slump of over two years, the slow improvement signifies that the recovery might not be that smooth.

On the other hand, the Nevada Gaming Control Board announced a decrease in revenues in the region in December.

In a separate development, Penn National Gaming Inc. PENN posted mixed fourth-quarter and full-year 2016 results. Though earnings compared favorably with Zacks Consensus Estimate, revenues missed the mark.

Gaming Industry 5YR % Return

Gaming Industry 5YR % Return

Recap of the Weeks Most Important Stories

1. Gross gaming revenues for January rose 3.1% on a yearly basis to approximately $2.4 billion or 19.3 billion patacas, per the Macau Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau. This marked the sixth successive month of gains, thereby continuing the revival in Macau.

However, the rise was below the 8% increase recorded in Dec 2016 and the median estimate of an 8.5% gain by Bloomberg analysts. New resorts continue to attract tourists and leisure gamblers, giving a boost to revenues. However, casino operators are bearing the brunt of cannibalization effect with the latest properties drawing in crowds at the expense of existing ones. Moreover, the January figures indicate that the Chinese New Year holidays, which began late last month, will not be as big of a boon as anticipated.

Notably, a tough operating environment in Macao weighed on the stock in 2015 and for the most part of 2016. Notably, the crackdown on corruption in China compelled Macau officials to impose restrictions on high rollers to stop billions of dollars from being siphoned off illegally from mainland China to Macau.

Consequently, this lowered footfall at local casinos. A slowdown in China, tighter visa policies, political unrest and a smoking ban on mass market gaming floors compounded the woes. In fact, the anti-graft corruption drive undertaken by the Chinese government is still keeping VIP gamblers at bay.

Nonetheless, efforts undertaken by Macau operators to revive revenues by wooing tourists and recreational gamblers with family-friendly resorts and more non-gaming facilities have started yielding results as evident from gambling revenue growth in the past six months. Thus, though the worst may be over but the slow progress suggests that Macaus recovery is going to be quite volatile and choppy.

2. According to the Nevada Gaming Control Board, Nevada gambling revenues dropped 2.7% in Dec 2016 from the year-ago period to nearly $956.1 million. The decline follows the fall in November. More specifically, casino revenues in the Las Vegas Strip which accounts for more than half of Nevadas total revenue were down 1.7% year over year in the month. However, Reno recorded a 14.1% rise in casino revenues.

3. Penn National Gaming posted fourth-quarter 2016 earnings of 5 cents, which compared favorably with Zacks Consensus Estimate of a loss of 14 cents. Meanwhile, the figure also improved over the year-ago quarters loss of 11 cents on the back of higher revenues. Moreover, results were significantly better than managements expectation of a loss of 15 cents.

Net revenue of $742.9 million increased 1.2% year over year due to a rise in revenues at South/West, Midwest and Other segments, partially offset by a decline in the Northeast segment. However, this Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell) company missed the consensus mark by a mere 0.07% and also fell slightly short of the managements guidance.

You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

Price Performance

The following table shows the price movement of the major gambling stocks over the past week and the last six months:

Read More

Company

Last Week

Last 6 Months

WYNN

-5.5%

-1.4%

LVS

-1.9%

3.2%

MGM

-0.9%

19.9%

MPEL

-3.8%

21.4%

MCRI

0.3%

2.2%

CACQ

0.7%

33.0%

BYD

3.5%

14.4%

Over the last five trading sessions, share price movement of the major gambling stocks witnessed a mixed trend. While Boyd Gaming Corp. BYD gained the maximum at 3.5% followed by Caesars Acquisition Companys CACQ rise of 0.7%, Wynn Resorts Ltd. WYNN and Melco Crown Entertainment Ltd. MPEL recorded a decline of 5.5% and 3.8%, respectively.

However, over the last six months, the price performance of gambling stocks has been predominantly positive. Among the stocks that appreciated the most were Caesars Acquisition Company and Melco Crown that gained 33.0% and 21.4%, respectively. On the contrary, Wynn Resorts recorded a decline of 1.4% over the same time frame.

Whats Next in the Gambling Space?

We note that gambling stocks have oscillated between gains and losses in recent sessions and with the earnings season in full swing, investors can expect this volatility to continue in the coming days.

Zacks' Top 10 Stocks for 2017

In addition to the stocks discussed above, would you like to know about our 10 finest buy-and-hold tickers for the entirety of 2017?

Who wouldn't? As of early December, the 2016 Top 10 produced 5 double-digit winners including oil and natural gas giant Pioneer Natural Resources which racked up a stellar +50% gain. The new list is painstakingly hand-picked from 4,400 companies covered by the Zacks Rank. Be among the very first to see it>>

Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Wynn Resorts, Limited (WYNN): Free Stock Analysis Report Boyd Gaming Corporation (BYD): Free Stock Analysis Report Melco Crown Entertainment Limited (MPEL): Free Stock Analysis Report Penn National Gaming, Inc. (PENN): Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research

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Gambling Stock Roundup: Macau Sales Rise Again in January, Nevada Records a Drop in December - Yahoo Finance

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Update: Fines have been levied against both Douglas and Rigby after pleading guilty in court today. Douglas was ordered to pay 91,000 (about $113,000), while Rigby must pay 174,000 (about $217,000), according to The Guardian.

"The aggravating features of these offences are they were committed over a relatively long period of about six months," said district judge Jack McGarva. "Children were gambling on your site. It's impossible for me to know how many or the effect on them. In my opinion, both of you were aware of the use of the site by children and the attractiveness of it to children. At the very least, you both turned a blind eye to it."

The Guardian notes how, during the trial, a YouTube video of Douglas was shown where he states, "You dont have to be 18 for this, because this is a virtual currency."

On Twitter this afternoon, Douglas posted a series of messages apologizing. "I owe a huge apology to my family and close friends for putting them through this process, and appreciate all those that stood by me." He also said he intends to publish a "video in due course presenting my side of the story."

The original story follows.

FIFA YouTuber Nepenthez has pleaded guilty to gambling offences under the UK's Gambling Act.

According to the BBC, Nepenthez (whose real name is Craig Douglas) and his business partner Dylan Rigby ran a site that allowed users to gamble FIFA coins--which, it is argued, hold real-world value--on real-life football matches. The men reportedly pleaded not guilty at first, but they have now switched their pleas.

The pair were charged in 2016 with inviting children to gamble (many of Nepenthez's near-1.5 million subscribers are minors), as well as promoting a lottery and advertising unlawful gambling.

This case, which is being held at Birmingham Magistrates' Court, is the first of its kind in the UK; no individual or company had previously been prosecuted for running an unlicensed video game gambling website.

Nepenthez talked about the then-upcoming court case in a recent video. "I've got something coming up on Monday, 6th of February that could change my life, define my future," he said. "There is a probability that I wont be walking out of court on Monday morning, and that's scary man, that's really scary."

Both Douglas and Rigby are yet to be sentenced.

Read more from the original source:

FIFA YouTuber Pleads Guilty To Gambling Charges [UPDATE] - GameSpot

Buying cigarettes. Going off to war. Voting. They are things you can do at 18 years old in America.

A Nevada lawmaker wants to add gambling to that list.

Assembly Bill 86, sponsored by Assemblyman Jim Wheeler, R-Minden, would drop the legal gambling threshold from 21 to 18 years of age.

Back in 2008, the idea to lower the legal gambling age to 18 was floated by some state gaming regulators after the question was raised by a lawyer during a gaming law conference in Las Vegas. But the idea was quickly shot down by state lawmakers and never made it beyond an idea.

Wheelers bill, along with more than 200 others, were introduced in their respective houses on Mondays first day of the legislative session.

Contact reporter Colton Lochhead at clochhead@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-4638. Follow @ColtonLochhead on Twitter.

Originally posted here:

Bill introduced to lower age for legal gambling in Nevada - Las Vegas Review-Journal

The military should screen its personnel for gambling disorder, just as it does for other addictive disorders, according to a government watchdog report.

The Government Accountability Office released a study last week showing that less than 0.03 percent of service members were diagnosed with gambling disorder or were seen for problem gambling through the Military Health System between 2011 and 2015.

While the report acknowledges that percentage is low, it notes that the Defense Department and Department of Homeland Security may not be able to identify and provide treatment to those who need it without specifically screening for it. Only 10 percent of people with gambling disorder seek treatment, according to the American Psychiatric Association.

While gambling disorder is not a frequently diagnosed condition, the preoccupation with gambling, financial hardship, and increased risk of suicide can pose a risk to individual readiness, the report says.

In a letter responding to the report, the Defense Department disputed the need for specific screening. Instead, it said it would update its policies to promote education and awareness activities intended to prevent problematic gambling.

There is no evidence to suggest that gambling disorder is a high prevalence disorder in the DoD, and it is impractical to screen for every low prevalence disorder, the Defense Department said in its response.

The Defense Department said bipolar disorder, psychotic disorders and obsessive compulsive disorder all are just as or more common, but also arent routinely screened for. The Defense Department said screening for other disorders would require time, resources and training that would burden the service member and health provider.

The decision on whether to screen for a disorder is carefully scrutinized with the DoD, with the priority given to high risk, high volume, and problem-prone disorders with validated measures for assessment, the Defense Department wrote.

Congress passed a law in 1951 banning slot machines from domestic U.S. military installations , but the report notes that many bases are located in states that permit some form of gambling. Virginia, for example, allows off-track betting.

There also are overseas bases that allow slot machines in places like bowling alleys and officers clubs. The machines are most prevalent at U.S. bases in Japan and Germany, although the Navy has them in Korea, Italy, Spain, Diego Garcia, Greece and Singapore.

Overseas slot machines throughout the Defense Department generated $538.9 million between 2011 and 2015.

Read more here:

Military should screen for gambling disorder, GAO says - Virginian-Pilot

The report has been criticised by the Association of British Bookmakers (ABB). Its chief executive, Malcolm George, said the report amounted to little more than the view of a tiny group of anti-betting-shop MPs. He also said that behind the report were the vested interests of those who would benefit should the reports recommendations be implemented.

Despite claiming to be evidence-based, it is clear the report is driven, in the main, by the precautionary principle namely, that in the absence of knowing future risks or harms, we should act just in case. So the report recommends lowering the maximum stake from 100 to perhaps as low as 2, on a precautionary basis until sufficient evidence is presented that the high stakes on these machines do not cause harm.

If these MPs were really concerned about the cost of gambling, the one thing they could do is to lower the minimum stake on betting, so people who enjoy gambling get more for their money. Not that that would appeal to the MPs in the APPG. They dont want to make gambling cheaper. Rather, their underlying objective is to interfere in and regulate peoples everyday lives, to, as the report puts it, protect the most vulnerable in our society.

This move against FOBTs and betting shops sets a dangerous precedent. It treats us all as if we are vulnerable and need to be saved or prevented from doing harm to ourselves. In effect, these MPs are seeking to save us from ourselves.

But there really is no need to do so. There is already help available for anyone who thinks they have a gambling problem. Funded by voluntary contributions from the gambling industry, GamCare, an advice and support service for problem gamblers, is advertised everywhere, including in casinos and betting shops. Better still, one can always turn to ones friends and family for help and advice. As I often say to friends and family who are starting out playing poker, lessons can be expensive, and sometimes you dont know youre being taught a lesson until its too late. As in many areas of life, we sometimes need to learn those lessons ourselves.

The MPs report shows just how negative and condescending is their view of human beings and our ability to make choices for ourselves. The word vulnerable appears 27 times in the report. With the exception of perhaps a small percentage who have real problems with gambling and money, I doubt that there are any gamblers who would refer to themselves as vulnerable.

This moralising assault on FOBTs is unlikely to go down well in the communities the MPs are saying they want to help. The vote for Brexit last year should have taught them the dangers of assuming that a small group of politicians knows what is best for us. Lets hope that the government doesnt listen to this report and leaves us to make choices for ourselves.

Jon Bryan lives and works in Newcastle, is treasurer of the Great Debate and regularly plays poker.

For permission to republish spiked articles, please contact Viv Regan.

View original post here:

Gambling with people's autonomy | Liberties | Risk | spiked - Spiked

February 06, 2017 9:41 AM by Robert Mann

An apparent crackdown on illegal gambling in the Philippines is now underway as the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) is in discussions with the Philippine National Police (PNP) to set up a task force aimed at tackling illegal gambling.

Local media reports that PCSO general manager Alexander Balutan said the PCSO has been holding a number of workshops and talks with the PNP and the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group with the goal of tacklingillegal gambling.

The enforcement increase is a way to battle illegal numbers games in the Philippines and has been in response to President Dutertes desire to stamp out illegal gambling.

Balutan issued a warning saying, To all illegal gambling operators, your minions and protectors, your days are numbered. Im warning you, you can run but you cannot hide. Go legal or else we will arrest you, and file appropriate charges against you.

Read the original post:

Industry: Crackdown on illegal gambling in the Philippines now ... - GamingTodaySlotsToday

Learn How to Stop Gambling and Regain Control of Your Finances and Relationships

It can happen to anyone from any walk of life: Your gambling goes from a fun, innocuous diversion to an unhealthy preoccupation with serious consequences. Whether you bet on sports, scratch cards, roulette, poker, or slotsin a casino, at the track, or onlineif your gambling becomes a problem, it can strain your relationships, interfere with work, and lead to financial disaster. You may even do things you never thought you would, like stealing money to gamble or pay debts. It may feel like you cant stop, but with the right help, you can overcome a gambling problem or addiction and regain control of your life.

What you can do

Gambling addictionalso known aspathological gambling, compulsive gamblingorgambling disorderis an impulse-control disorder. If youre a compulsive gambler, you cant control the impulse to gamble, even when it has negative consequences for you or your loved ones. Youll gamble whether youre up or down, broke or flush, happy or depressed, and youll keep gambling regardless of the consequenceseven when you know that the odds are against you or you cant afford to lose.

Of course, you can also have a gambling problem without being totally out of control. Problem gamblingis any gambling behavior that disrupts your life. If youre preoccupied with gambling, spending more and more time and money on it, chasing losses, or gambling despite serious consequences in your life, you have a gambling problem.

A gambling addiction or problem is often associated with other behavior or mood disorders. Many problem gamblers also suffer with substance abuse issues, unmanaged ADHD, stress, depression, anxiety, or bipolar disorder. To overcome your gambling problems, youll also need to address these and any other underlying causes as well. The first step is to separate the myths from the facts about gambling problems:

Myth: You have to gamble every day to be a problem gambler.

Fact: A problem gambler may gamble frequently or infrequently. Gambling is a problem if it causes problems.

Myth: Problem gambling is not really a problem if the gambler can afford it.

Fact: Problems caused by excessive gambling are not just financial. Too much time spent on gambling can also lead to relationship and legal problems, job loss, mental health problems including depression and anxiety, and even suicide.

Myth: Having a gambling problem is just a case of being weak-willed, irresponsible, or unintelligent.

Fact: Gambling problems affect people of all levels of intelligence and all backgrounds. Previously responsible and strong-willed people are just as likely to develop a gambling problem as anyone else.

Myth: Partners of problem gamblers often drive problem gamblers to gamble.

Fact: Problem gamblers often rationalize their behavior. Blaming others is one way to avoid taking responsibility for their actions, including what is needed to overcome the problem.

Myth: If a problem gambler builds up a debt, you should help them take care of it.

Fact: Quick fix solutions may appear to be the right thing to do. However, bailing the gambler out of debt may actually make matters worse by enabling gambling problems to continue.

Gambling addiction is sometimes referred to as a "hidden illness" because there are no obvious physical signs or symptoms like there are in drug or alcohol addiction. You may have a gambling problem if you:

Feel the need to be secretive about your gambling.You might gamble in secret or lie about how much you gamble, feeling others wont understand or that you will surprise them with a big win.

Have trouble controlling your gambling.Once you start gambling, can you walk away? Or are you compelled to gamble until youve spent your last dollar, upping your bets in a bid to win lost money back?

Gamble even when you dont have the money. You may gamble until youve spent your last dollar, and then move on to money you dont havemoney to pay bills, credit cards, or things for your children. You may feel pushed to borrow, sell, or even steal things for gambling money.

Have family and friends worried about you.Denial keeps problem gambling going. If friends and family are worried, listen to them carefully. Its not a sign of weakness to ask for help. Many older gamblers are reluctant to reach out to their adult children if they've gambled away their inheritance, but it's never too late to make changes for the better.

Take this test to find out.

In the last 12-months, have you:

1. Needed to gamble with increasing amounts of money in order to achieve the desired excitement??

2. Felt restless or irritable when attempting to cut down or stop gambling?

3. Made repeated unsuccessful efforts to control, cut back, or stop gambling?

4. Often been preoccupied with gambling, such as reliving past gambling experiences, handicapping or planning the next venture, or thinking of ways to get money with which to gamble?

5. Gambled when feeling distressed in some way, such as anxious, stressed, lonely, guilty, or depressed?

6. After losing money gambling, returned another day to get even or chase your losses?

7. Lied to conceal your gambling?

8. Jeopardized or lost a significant relationship, job, or school or career opportunity because of gambling?

9. Relied on others to provide money to relieve a desperate financial situation caused by gambling?

Please answer all the questions

Interpreting the score:

4 to 5: Indicates a MILD gambling problem

6 to 7: Indicates a MODERATE gambling problem

8 to 9: Indicates a SEVERE gambling problem

This questionnaire is not intended to replace professional diagnosis.

Adapted from: DSM-5 Diagnostic Criteria: Gambling Disorder

The biggest step to overcoming a gambling addiction is realizing that you have a problem. It takes tremendous strength and courage to own up to this, especially if you have lost a lot of money and strained or broken relationships along the way. But many others have been in your shoes and have been able to break the habit. You can, too.

Seek help for underlying mood disorders. Depression,stress, substance abuse, oranxiety can both trigger gambling problems and be made worse by compulsive gambling. Even when gambling is no longer a part of your life, these problems will still remain, so its important to address them.

Learn to relieve unpleasant feelings in healthier ways. Do you gamble when youre lonely or bored? Or after a stressful day at work or school? Gambling may be a way to self-soothe unpleasant emotions. But there are healthier and more effective ways of managing your moods, such as practicing relaxation techniques.

Strengthen your support network.Its tough to battle any addiction without support, so reach out to friends and family. If your support network is limited, there are ways to make new friends without relying on visiting casinos or gambling online.Try reaching out to colleagues at work, joining a sports team or book club, enrolling in an education class, or volunteering for a good cause.

Join a support group. Gamblers Anonymous, for example, is a twelve-step recovery program patterned after Alcoholics Anonymous. A key part of the program is finding a sponsor, a former gambler who has experience remaining free from addiction and can provide invaluable guidance and support.

Its true: the Internet has made gambling far more accessibleand harder for recovering addicts to avoid relapse. Online casinos and bookmakers are open all day, every day for anyone with a smartphone. But staying in recoverymaking a permanent commitment to stop gamblingis still possible if you:

One way to stop gambling is to remove the elements necessary for gambling to occur in your life and replace them with healthier choices. The four elements needed for gambling to continue are:

A decision:For gambling to happen, you need to make the decision to gamble. If you have an urge:stopwhat you are doing and call someone,thinkabout the consequences to your actions,tellyourself to stop thinking about gambling, andfindsomething else to do immediately.

Money:Gambling cannot occur without money. Get rid of your credit cards, let someone else be in charge of your money, have the bank make automatic payments for you, close online betting accounts, and keep only a limited amount of cash on you.

Time:Even online gambling cannot occur if you dont have the time. Schedule enjoyable recreational time for yourself that has nothing to do with gambling. If youre gambling on your smartphone, find other ways to fill the quiet moments during your day.

A game:Without a game or activity to bet on there is no opportunity to gamble. Dont put yourself in tempting environments. Tell gambling establishments you frequent that you have a gambling problem and ask them to restrict you from entering. Remove gambling apps and block gambling sites on your smartphone and computer.

Maintaining recovery from gambling addiction or problem gambling depends a lot on finding alternative behaviors you can substitute for gambling. Some examples include:

To provide excitement, get a rush of adrenaline

Sport or a challenging hobby, such as mountain biking, rock climbing, or Go Kart racing

To be more social, overcome shyness or isolation

Counseling, enroll in a public speaking class, join a social group, connect with family and friends, volunteer, find new friends

To numb unpleasant feelings, not think about problems

Therapy, consult Helpguides Emotional Intelligence toolkit

Boredom or loneliness

Find something youre passionate about such as art, music, sports, or books and then find others with the same interests

To relax after a stressful day

As little as 15 minutes of daily exercise can relieve stress. Or deep breathing, meditation, or massage

To solve money problems

The odds are always stacked against you so its far better to seek help with debts from a credit counselor

Feeling the urge to gamble is normal, but as you build healthier choices and a strong support network, resisting cravings will become easier. When a gambling craving strikes:

Avoid isolation.Call a trusted family member, meet a friend for coffee, or go to a Gamblers Anonymous meeting.

Distract yourself with another activity, such as going to the gym, watching a movie, or practicing a relaxation exercise for gambling cravings.

Postpone gambling.Tell yourself that youll wait 5 minutes, fifteen minutes, or an hour. As you wait, the urge to gamble may pass or become weak enough to resist.

Visualize what will happen if you give in to the urge to gamble. Think about how youll feel after all your money is gone and youve disappointed yourself and your family again.

If you arent able to resist the gambling craving, dont be too hard on yourself or use it as an excuse to give up. Overcoming a gambling addiction is a tough process. You may slip from time to time; the important thing is to learn from your mistakes and continue working towards recovery.

Seeking professional help or seeing a therapist does not mean you are weak or cant handle your problems. Therapy can give you tools and support for coping with your addiction that will last a lifetime. Problem gambling can sometimes be a symptom of bipolar disorder, so your doctor or therapist may need to rule out this disorder before making a diagnosis.

Inpatient treatment programs are an option for those with severe gambling addiction who are unable to avoid gambling without round-the-clock support.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy(CBT) for gambling addiction focuses on changing unhealthy gambling behaviors and thoughts, such as rationalizations and false beliefs. It can also teach you how to fight gambling urges and solve financial, work, and relationship problems caused by problem gambling.

The Four Steps Program is a variation of CBT aimed at changing your thoughts and beliefs about gambling in four steps: re-label, reattribute, refocus, and revalue. See Resources and References below.

Marriage and credit counseling can help you work through specific issues created by problem gambling.

While compulsive gamblers need the support of their family and friends to stop gambling, its common for loved ones to have conflicting emotions. You may have tried to cover up for the gambler or spent a lot of time trying to keep him or her from gambling. At the same time, you might be furious at your loved one for gambling again and tired of trying to keep up the charade. The gambler may also have borrowed (or even stolen) money from you with no way to pay it back, sold family possessions, or run up huge debts on joint credit cards. As hard as it is seeing the effects your loved ones problem, you cannot make someone stop gambling. The decision to quit has to be theirs.

When faced with the consequences of their actions, a gambler can suffer a crushing drop in self-esteem. This is one reason why there is a high rate of suicide among problem gamblers.

When gamblers feel hopeless, the risk of suicide is high. Its very important to take any thoughts or talk of suicide seriously. Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or for a suicide helpline outside the U.S., visit Befrienders Worldwide.

Source: Dept. of Health & Addiction Services

Related HelpGuide articles

If you need powerful social and emotional skills that support recovery and eliminate stress,read FEELING LOVED.

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The National Council on Problem Gambling Helpline Offers a confidential, 24-hour helpline for problem gamblers or their family members in the U.S. Call 1-800-522-4700. (NCPG)

Gamblers Anonymous Twelve-step Gamblers Anonymous program, an internationalsupport network of meetings to assist people who have a gambling problem. (Gamblers Anonymous)

Gamcare Offers support, information, and advice for those with a gambling problem in the UK. Call the helpline 0845 6000 133. (Gamcare)

Gambling Help Online Provides 24-hour helpline in Australia for counseling, information, and referrals. Call 1800 858 858. (Gambling Help Online)

Canadian Resources for Those Affected by Problem Gambling Find help and information on problem gambling in your area of Canada. (Centre for Addiction and Mental Health)

What Is Problem Gambling? Learn about the gambling continuum and the key differences between recreational gambling and problem gambling. (British Columbia Responsible & Problem Gambling Program)

Do I Need Help? Helpful questions for self-evaluation. (Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services)

Your First Step to Change: Gambling Self-change toolkit helps problem gamblers learn about their addiction and take steps to overcome it. (The Division on Addictions, Cambridge Health Alliance and Harvard Medical School)

The Four Steps Although the article is written for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, it outlines in more detail the four steps used in a variant of cognitive behavioral therapy, and how you can apply them to change thought processes and control impulses. (Westwood Institute of Anxiety Disorders, commercial site)

Freedom from Problem Gambling(PDF) Self-help workbook for compulsive gamblers, with tips on how to avoid relapse and fight gambling urges. (UCLA Gambling Studies Program and California Department of Public Health)

Choosing a Treatment Facility Learn what treatments are appropriate for problem gambling and what questions you should ask when look at facilities. (National Council on Problem Gambling)

Problem Gamblers and their Finances(PDF) In-depth guide for treatment professionals on how to help a problem gambler cope with financial problems and pressures. (National Endowment for Financial Education)

Help for Family, Friends, Employers, and Co-Workers Learn how gambling addiction affects family and friends and what you can do to address the problem. (Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services)

Personal Financial Strategies for the Loved Ones of Problem Gamblers(PDF) Designed to help families deal with personal financial issues due to a loved one's problem gambling. (National Council on Problem Gambling)

Information for Families (Centre for Addiction and Mental Health) Explore resources for family members of problem gamblers. Includes a downloadable PDF guide for families.

Gam-Anon Twelve-step program for the problem gamblers spouse, family members, or close friends. (Gam-Anon International Service Office, Inc)

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The Top Online Casino Gambling News Reporting Site Since 2002! Latest News From the Casino Gambling Industry

Cheers and Jeers Abound for New UK Online Gambling Law May 19, 2014 The new UK betting law is expected to be finalized by July 1st and go into effect by September 1st. However, many are concerned the law could create another wild-west situation in the UK... Speculation on Casino Gambling Legalization in Japan Continues May 13, 2014 LVS owner Sheldon Adelson continues to create gambling news across the world, this time in Japan as he salivates at the possibility of legalization before the 2020 Olympics... LVS Owner Adelson Pulling the Strings of Politicians in the US May 8, 2014 Las Vegas Sands is playing the political system, and its owner, Sheldon Adelson, is the puppet master behind the curtain pulling the strings, according to new reports... New Jersey Bets Big on Sports Gambling, Loses - So Far... May 5, 2014 Governor Chris Christie may need a win in the Supreme Court to justify his defense for his initiative to legalize sports betting in the state... Tribal And Private Gaming Owners Square Off In Massachusetts April 28, 2014 Steve Wynn and the Mohegan Sun are squaring off in a battle for a casino license in Massachusetts, and the two have vastly different views of how regulations are being constructed...

Below is a quick guide to the best gambling sites online. One is for USA players, the other is for players in the rest of the world. Good luck!

As laws change in 2012 the internet poker craze is set to boom once again in North America. Bovada, formerly known as Bodog, is one of the only sites that weathered the storm and they are now the best place to play online. More players gamble here than anywhere else.

The goal of Casino Gambling Web is to provide each of our visitors with an insider's view of every aspect of the gambling world. We have over 30 feeds releasing news to more than 30 specific gaming related categories in order to achieve our important goal of keeping you well updated and informed.

The main sections of our site are broken up into 5 broad areas of gambling news. The first area of news we cover is about issues concerning brick and mortar casinos like those found in Atlantic City, Las Vegas, the Gulf Coast Region, and well, now the rest of the USA. The second area of gambling news we cover concerns itself with the Internet casino community. We also have reporters who cover the international poker community and also the world of sports gambling. And finally, we cover news about the law when it effects any part of the gambling community; such legal news could include information on updates to the UIGEA, or issues surrounding gambling petitions to repeal that law, or information and stories related to new poker laws that are constantly being debated in state congresses.

We go well beyond simply reporting the news. We get involved with the news and sometimes we even become the news. We pride ourselves on providing follow up coverage to individual news stories. We had reporters in Washington D.C. on the infamous night when the internet gambling ban was passed by a now proven to be corrupt, former senator Bill Frist led congress, and we have staff constantly digging to get important details to American citizens. We had reporters at the World Series of Poker in Las Vegas when Jamie Gold won his ring and changed the online gambling world, and we have representatives playing in the tournament each and every year.

It is our pleasure and proud duty to serve as a reliable source of gambling news and quality online casino reviews for all of the international gaming community. Please take a few moments to look around our site and discover why we, and most other insiders of the industry, have considered CGW the #1 Top Casino Gambling News eporting Organization since 2002.

The United States changed internet gambling when they passed the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA), so now when searching for top online casinos you must focus your energies on finding post-UIGEA information as opposed to pre-UIGEA information. Before the law passed you could find reliable info on most gambling portals across the internet. Most of those portals simply advertised casinos and gambling sites that were tested and approved by eCogra, and in general you would be hard pressed to find an online casino that had a bad reputation. However, now that these gambling sites were forced out of the US they may be changing how they run their business. That is why it important to get your information from reliable sources who have been following the industry and keeping up with which companies have remained honorable. So good luck and happy hunting!

The Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA), in short, states that anything that may be illegal on a state level is now also illegal on a federal level. However, the day after Christmas in 2011, President Barrack Obama's administration delivered what the online gaming industry will view forever as a great big beautifully wrapped present. The government released a statement declaring that the 1961 Federal Wire Act only covers sports betting. What this means for the industry on an international level is still unknown, but what it means in the USA is that states can begin running online poker sites and selling lottery tickets to its citizens within its borders. The EU and WTO will surely have some analysis and we will keep you updated as this situation unfolds. Be sure to check with state laws before you start to gamble online.

The UK was the first high-power territory to legalize and regulate gambling online with a law passed in 2007. They allow all forms of betting but have strict requirements on advertisers. They first attracted offshore companies to come on land, which gave the gambling companies who complied the appearance of legitamacy. However, high taxes forced many who originally came to land, back out to sea and the battle forever rages on, but on a whole, the industry regulations have proven greatly successful and have since served as a model for other gaming enlightened countries around the world.

Since then, many European countries have regulated the industry, breaking up long term monopolies, sometimes even breaking up government backed empires, finally allowing competition - and the industry across the globe (outside of the USA) is thriving with rave reviews, even from those who are most interested in protecting the innocent and vulnerable members of society.

We strive to provide our visitors with the most valuable information about problem gambling and addiction in society. We have an entire section of our site dedicated to news about the subject. When a state or territory implements new technology to safeguard itself from allowing problem gamblers to proliferate, we will report it to you. If there is a new story that reveals some positive or negative information about gambling as it is related to addiction, we will report it to you. And if you think you have a problem with gambling right now, please visit Gamblers Anonymous if you feel you have a gambling problem.

In order to get all the information you need about this industry it is important to visit Wiki's Online Gambling page. It provides an unbiased view of the current state of the Internet gambling industry. If you are interested in learning about other issues you may also enjoy visiting the National Council on Problem Gambling, a righteous company whose sole purpose is to help protect and support problem gamblers. They have a lot of great resources for anyone interested in learning more.

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Casino Gambling Web | Best Online Gambling News and Casinos ...

Real Money Online Gambling

When seeking outa real money online casino to open an account with, it is important to do your due diligence. This should always begin by first verifying where the casino is licensed and regulated andwhat software platform is being used to power the games.Holding a license through a reputable gaming jurisdiction ensures the software has been audited for fairness and that the operator is in good standing, which from a players perspective, means you are getting a fair hand andbeing paid on time.

The first place to look when verifying this information is on the website of the casino itself. Generally,this will be a link or logo at the footer of the website. An Random Number Generator (RNG) Certificate should also be posted (again, often found at the footer of the website or on a standalone accreditation page). If this information is not readily available, i.e. the casino is lacking in transparency, it is advised to stay clear from opening a real money online gambling account.

After verifying that your prospective real money gambling site of choice is, in fact, licensed and regulated by a reputable gaming commission, your next step in the vetting process should revolve around the bells and whistles, i.e. the selection of games and promotions being offered. If you already know your favorite games or those games that you might be interested in playing, you will obviously want to ensure those games are being offered. The good news is that the vast majority of online casinos provide everything you will find in the best of Vegas casinos, including a vast selection of slot machine and video poker titles.

Online Gambling is legal in manycountries, with a growing numberof states in the US now offering residents and in-state visitors the opportunity to gamble online with real money. But for US players as whole, options are limited, and quite frankly, many of these includeonline gambling sites in the business of swindling players. Thisis why the Online.Gambling.org player community exists - to help one another discover the best online gambling destinationsto wager real money at. For a comprehensivelist of safe internet gambling sites, see our online casino reviews page.

At Online.Gambling.org, we provide community-curated, playerreviews of USA and Internationalonline gambling sites, along with information on casino game rules and the latest news on the internet gambling industry at large. Not only do we outline which websites have proven track records so you can avoid the casinos online that operate illegitimately, we keep you informed of the latest promotions, events and betting news.

One last word of advice: Remember to have fun and set yourself loss limits! Real money online gamblingshould be primarily aboutentertainment purposes, and responsible gaming is a must-follow principle at all times. Online casino gambling can be fun and exciting when playing responsibly at reputable online casinos. Read more about our top casino picks here.

Last updated January 6, 2016.

SBCNews.co.uk - Unibet Tops Gambling Operators for TV Advert Spend in Sweden 1/6/2017

Lexology.com - Skin Betting From a Czech Gambling Law Perspective 1/5/2017

HIBusiness.ca - Former Amaya CEO David Baazov folds on $4.1-billion Buyout Offer 1/3/2017

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Trusted Online Gambling Sites Since 1996 - Online.Gambling.org

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The Remote Gambling Association became operational on 1st August 2005 as a result of a merger between the Association of Remote Gambling Operators (ARGO) and the Interactive Gaming, Gambling and Betting Association (IGGBA).

The RGA is the largest online gambling trade association in the world, representing most of the worlds largest licensed and stock market-listed remote gambling operators and software providers . We provide the remote gambling industry with a single voice on all issues of importance to regulators, legislators, and key decision-makers

Remote gambling is now a recognized, well regulated, mainstream leisure activity in which operators have created an enviroment where gambling is fair, safe, honest and fun. The RGAand our members want people to continue to enjoy gambling online as a recreational activity but it is important to remember that the key to staying safe and out of trouble is to "Always Gamble Responsibly"

We produced the following leaflet in association with GamCare to highlight some simple messages to keep in mind when you gamble online.

National Gambling Helpline

For confidential advice and emotional support please call to speak with a trained advisor. Lines are open from 8:00am to midnight, seven days a week.

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If you are interested in being kept up to date about NOSES and the progress through the project please email noses@rga.eu.com to express your interest in receiving communications. For more background on the history of the project, please click on the logo below:

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Remote Gambling Association (RGA)

Learn How to Stop Gambling and Regain Control of Your Finances and Relationships

Whether you bet on sports, scratch cards, roulette, poker, or slotsin a casino, at the track, or onlineproblem gambling can strain relationships, interfere with work, and lead to financial catastrophe. You may even do things you never thought you would, like stealing money to gamble or pay debts. You may think you cant stop, but with the right help, you can overcome a gambling problem or addiction and regain control of your life.

Gambling addiction, also known ascompulsive gambling or gambling disorder, is an impulse-control disorder. Compulsive gamblers cant control the impulse to gamble, even when its hurting themselves or their loved ones.

Compulsive gamblers keep gambling no matter the consequences, even when they know the odds are against them or they cant afford to lose.

People with gambling addiction often have other behavior or mood disorders. Many abuse substances, have ADD/ADHD, or mood disorders such as depression.

The Internet has made gambling far more accessible and harder for recovering addicts to avoid relapse. Online casinos and bookmakers are open all day, every day for anyone with a smartphone.

Gamblers can have a problem without being totally out of control.Problem gamblingis any gambling behavior that disrupts your life. If youre preoccupied with gambling, spending more and more time and money on it, or gambling despite serious consequences, you have a gambling problem.

Myth: You have to gamble every day to be a problem gambler.

Fact: A problem gambler may gamble frequently or infrequently. Gambling is a problem if it causes problems.

Myth: Problem gambling is not really a problem if the gambler can afford it.

Fact: Problems caused by excessive gambling are not just financial. Too much time spent on gambling can also lead to relationship and legal problems, job loss, mental health problems including depression and anxiety, and even suicide.

Myth: Everybody has the symptoms of ADHD, and anyone with adequate intelligence can overcome these difficulties.

Fact: ADHD affects people of all levels of intelligence. And although everyone sometimes has symptoms of ADHD, only those with chronic impairments from these symptoms warrant an ADHD diagnosis.

Myth: Partners of problem gamblers often drive problem gamblers to gamble.

Fact: Problem gamblers often rationalize their behavior. Blaming others is one way to avoid taking responsibility for their actions, including what is needed to overcome the problem.

Myth: If a problem gambler builds up a debt, you should help them take care of it.

Fact: Quick fix solutions may appear to be the right thing to do. However, bailing the gambler out of debt may actually make matters worse by enabling gambling problems to continue.

Gambling addiction is sometimes referred to as a "hidden illness" because there are no obvious physical signs or symptoms like there are in drug or alcohol addiction. You may have a gambling problem if you:

Feel the need to be secretive about your gambling.You might gamble in secret or lie about how much you gamble, feeling others wont understand or that you will surprise them with a big win.

Have trouble controlling your gambling.Once you start gambling, can you walk away? Or are you compelled to gamble until youve spent your last dollar, upping your bets in a bid to win lost money back?

Gamble even when you dont have the money. You may gamble until youve spent your last dollar, and then move on to money you dont havemoney to pay bills, credit cards, or things for your children. You may feel pushed to borrow, sell, or even steal things for gambling money.

Have family and friends worried about you.Denial keeps problem gambling going. If friends and family are worried, listen to them carefully. Its not a sign of weakness to ask for help. Many older gamblers are reluctant to reach out to their adult children if they've gambled away their inheritance, but it's never too late to make changes for the better.

Take this test to find out.

In the last 12-months, have you:

1. Needed to gamble with increasing amounts of money in order to achieve the desired excitement??

2. Felt restless or irritable when attempting to cut down or stop gambling?

3. Made repeated unsuccessful efforts to control, cut back, or stop gambling?

4. Often been preoccupied with gambling, such as reliving past gambling experiences, handicapping or planning the next venture, or thinking of ways to get money with which to gamble?

5. Gambled when feeling distressed in some way, such as anxious, stressed, lonely, guilty, or depressed?

6. After losing money gambling, returned another day to get even or chase your losses?

7. Lied to conceal your gambling?

8. Jeopardized or lost a significant relationship, job, or school or career opportunity because of gambling?

9. Relied on others to provide money to relieve a desperate financial situation caused by gambling?

Please answer all the questions

Interpreting the score:

4 to 5: Indicates a MILD gambling problem

6 to 7: Indicates a MODERATE gambling problem

8 to 9: Indicates a SEVERE gambling problem

This questionnaire is not intended to replace professional diagnosis.

Adapted from: DSM-5 Diagnostic Criteria: Gambling Disorder

The biggest step to overcoming a gambling addiction is realizing that you have a problem. It takes tremendous strength and courage to own up to this, especially if you have lost a lot of money and strained or broken relationships along the way. But many others have been in your shoes and have been able to break the habit. You can to.

Seek help for underlying mood disorders. Depression,stress, substance abuse, oranxiety can both trigger gambling problems and be made worse by compulsive gambling. Even when gambling is no longer a part of your life, these problems will still remain, so its important to address them.

Learn to relieve unpleasant feelings in healthier ways. Do you gamble when youre lonely or bored? Or after a stressful day at work or school? Gambling may be a way to self-soothe unpleasant emotions. But there are healthier and more effective ways of managing your moods, such as practicing relaxation techniques.

Strengthen your support network.Its tough to battle any addiction without support, so reach out to friends and family. If your support network is limited, there are ways to make new friends without relying on visiting casinos or gambling online.Try reaching out to colleagues at work, joining a sports team or book club, enrolling in an education class, or volunteering for a good cause.

Join a support group. Gamblers Anonymous, for example, is a twelve-step recovery program patterned after Alcoholics Anonymous. A key part of the program is finding a sponsor, a former gambler who has experience remaining free from addiction and can provide invaluable guidance and support.

Staying in recoverymaking a permanent commitment to stop gamblingis possible if you:

One way to stop gambling is to remove the elements necessary for gambling to occur in your life and replace them with healthier choices. The four elements needed for gambling to continue are:

A decision:For gambling to happen, you need to make the decision to gamble. If you have an urge:stopwhat you are doing and call someone,thinkabout the consequences to your actions,tellyourself to stop thinking about gambling, andfindsomething else to do immediately.

Money:Gambling cannot occur without money. Get rid of your credit cards, let someone else be in charge of your money, have the bank make automatic payments for you, close online betting accounts, and keep only a limited amount of cash on you.

Time:Even online gambling cannot occur if you dont have the time. Schedule enjoyable recreational time for yourself that has nothing to do with gambling. If youre gambling on your smartphone, find other ways to fill the quiet moments during your day.

A game:Without a game or activity to bet on there is no opportunity to gamble. Dont put yourself in tempting environments. Tell gambling establishments you frequent that you have a gambling problem and ask them to restrict you from entering. Remove gambling apps and block gambling sites on your smartphone and computer.

Maintaining recovery from gambling addiction or problem gambling depends a lot on finding alternative behaviors you can substitute for gambling. Some examples include:

To provide excitement, get a rush of adrenaline

Sport or a challenging hobby, such as mountain biking, rock climbing, or Go Kart racing

To be more social, overcome shyness or isolation

Counseling, enroll in a public speaking class, join a social group, connect with family and friends, volunteer, find new friends

To numb unpleasant feelings, not think about problems

Therapy, consult Helpguides Emotional Intelligence toolkit

Boredom or loneliness

Find something youre passionate about such as art, music, sports, or books and then find others with the same interests

To relax after a stressful day

As little as 15 minutes of daily exercise can relieve stress. Or deep breathing, meditation, or massage

To solve money problems

The odds are always stacked against you so its far better to seek help with debts from a credit counselor

Feeling the urge to gamble is normal, but as you build healthier choices and a strong support network, resisting cravings will become easier. When a gambling craving strikes:

Avoid isolation.Call a trusted family member, meet a friend for coffee, or go to a Gamblers Anonymous meeting.

Distract yourself with another activity, such as going to the gym or watching a movie.

Postpone gambling.Tell yourself that youll wait 5 minutes, fifteen minutes, or an hour. As you wait, the urge to gamble may pass or become weak enough to resist.

Visualize what will happen if you give in to the urge to gamble. Think about how youll feel after all your money is gone and youve disappointed yourself and your family again.

If you arent able to resist the gambling craving, dont be too hard on yourself or use it as an excuse to give up. Overcoming a gambling addiction is a tough process. You may slip from time to time; the important thing is to learn from your mistakes and continue working towards recovery.

Seeking professional help or seeing a therapist does not mean you are weak or cant handle your problems. Therapy can give you tools and support for coping with your addiction that will last a lifetime. Problem gambling can sometimes be a symptom of bipolar disorder, so your doctor or therapist may need to rule out this disorder before making a diagnosis.

Inpatient treatment programs are an option for those with severe gambling addiction who are unable to avoid gambling without round-the-clock support.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy(CBT) for gambling addiction focuses on changing unhealthy gambling behaviors and thoughts, such as rationalizations and false beliefs. It can also teach you how to fight gambling urges and solve financial, work, and relationship problems caused by problem gambling.

The Four Steps Program is a variation of CBT aimed at changing your thoughts and beliefs about gambling in four steps: re-label, reattribute, refocus, and revalue. See Resources and References below.

Marriage and credit counseling can help you work through specific issues created by problem gambling.

While compulsive gamblers need the support of their family and friends to stop gambling, its common for loved ones to have conflicting emotions. You may have tried to cover up for the gambler or spent a lot of time trying to keep him or her from gambling. At the same time, you might be furious at your loved one for gambling again and tired of trying to keep up the charade.

When gamblers feel hopeless, the risk of suicide is high. Its very important to take any thoughts or talk of suicide seriously. Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or for a suicide helpline outside the U.S., visit Befrienders Worldwide.

Seek the support of others with similar problems; attend a self-help group for families such as Gam-Anon

Explain problem gambling to the children

Recognize your partners good qualities

Remain calm when speaking to your partner about his or her gambling and its consequences

Let your partner know that you are seeking help for your own sake because of the way gambling affects you and the children

Understand the need for treatment of problem gambling despite the time it may involve

Take control of family finances; review bank and credit card statements

Preach, lecture, or allow yourself to lose control of your anger

Make threats or issue ultimatums unless you intend to carry them out

Exclude the gambler from family life and activities

Expect immediate recovery, or that all problems will be resolved when the gambling stops

Bail out the gambler

Cover-up or deny the existence of the problem to yourself, the family, or others

Source: Dept. of Mental Health & Addiction Services

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If you need powerful social and emotional skills that support recovery and eliminate stress,read FEELING LOVED.

Learn more

The National Council on Problem Gambling Helpline Offers a confidential, 24-hour helpline for problem gamblers or their family members in the U.S. Call 1-800-522-4700. (NCPG)

Gamblers Anonymous Twelve-step Gamblers Anonymous program, an internationalsupport network of meetings to assist people who have a gambling problem. (Gamblers Anonymous)

Gamcare Offers support, information, and advice for those with a gambling problem in the UK. Call the helpline 0845 6000 133. (Gamcare)

Gambling Help Online Provides 24-hour helpline in Australia for counseling, information, and referrals. Call 1800 858 858. (Gambling Help Online)

Canadian Resources for Those Affected by Problem Gambling Find help and information on problem gambling in your area of Canada. (Centre for Addiction and Mental Health)

What Is Problem Gambling? Learn about the gambling continuum and the key differences between recreational gambling and problem gambling. (British Columbia Responsible & Problem Gambling Program)

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