21-Jan-2010
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IGC Helping Hand Program
FOR INTERACTIVE GAMBLING CONSUMERS AND OPERATORS
IGC has a strong interest in the prevention of harm among those who gamble. Players should have access to information with regard to potential problem gambling and assistance, if required. The Helping Hand Program (“HH”) provides information and tools to enable and support players to gamble responsibly or get assistance if a problem arises.
The Beginner Player Guide provides some basic information for those who want to learn more prior to participating in this form of entertainment.
The Helping Hand Program focuses attention on the following areas:
1. Responsible Gambling: keeping your gambling experience fun and entertaining.
2. Risks Associated with Gambling: Understanding risky gambling practices, signs of a gambling problem and a self-assessment survey.
3. Addressing Gambling Concerns : tools and resources for those experiencing problems with gambling.
4. Parent Resources: protecting children from accessing gambling sites and educating children of the risks associated with gambling.
1. RESPONSIBLE GAMBLING
Gambling should be an entertaining activity, and for the majority it is. To keep your gambling experience fun and manageable, it is important to have clear expectations and know how to manage your play. It is equally important to recognize risky gambling practices and take action to prevent problems from occurring (link to risks associated with gambling– section 2).
Realistic Expectations
1. Gambling is a form of entertainment, not a way to make money.
2. Be prepared to lose money.
3. Realize that continuing to gamble to recoup losses will, in the long run, create further losses.
4. Understand the odds of winning and how the games work.
For more information on how gambling works: www.afm.mb.ca/Learn%20More/gambling.htm
Manage Your Gambling
1. Gamble with money set aside for entertainment, never with money set aside for other things.
2. Don’t borrow money to gamble.
3. Take Breaks.
4. Set and keep time limits.
5. Set and keep money limits (For those sites with this option include link here).
6. Get involved in activities other than gambling.
2. RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH GAMBLING
Gambling lies on a continuum that ranges from no or low risk to increased risk where an individual is starting to lose control over the amount of time and money spent gambling, to the extreme end where gambling behaviour results in serious problems (financial, relationship, work, school, health, legal). Problem gambling can affect anyone regardless of age, gender, race or social status. Anyone who gambles can develop problems.
This section outlines warning signs in terms of risky gambling perceptions and practices, signs of a gambling problem, and a survey to assess your level of risk. For information on assistance for concerns related to gambling see (link to next section 3)
Warning Signs
A) Risky Gambling Practices:
1. Gambling more to win back losses or get out of financial trouble.
2. Gambling more time and money than intended.
3. Borrowing money to gamble.
4. Gambling to make money.
5. Gambling with money that is budgeted for other things.
6. Gambling to avoid life problems.
7. Gambling when depressed or anxious.
8. Gambling under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
9. Missing obligations in order to gamble.
B) Risky Gambling Thinking:
1. Believing that you can control the outcome of gambling.
2. Believing that you are due for a win.
3. Believing that persistence pays off, and losses will eventually turn into wins.
4. Feeling regretful or guilty about your gambling.
5. Believing that gambling is a solution to financial problems.
Signs of a Gambling Problem
1. Difficulty controlling your gambling (time and money) or feeling irritable while trying to stop, cut down or control gambling.
2. Increased debt, unpaid bills or other financial troubles because of gambling.
3. Sudden mood changes based on whether you win or lose.
4. Problems at work or at school (productivity, absenteeism or job loss) related to your gambling.
5. Engaging in illegal activities in order to pay for gambling debts or to continue gambling.
6. Arguments and fights with family and friends related to your gambling.
Self Assessment Survey
The questionnaire below provides a simple self test to evaluate your level of risk for gambling problems. It is important to note that this self test is not a diagnosis and DOES NOT replace a face to face evaluation with a trained clinical professional.
Think about the past 12 months, and respond to each question by marking “never”, “sometimes”, “most of the time”, or “almost always”. After you have answered all 9 questions, total your score by adding the numbers that correspond with your responses.
Thinking about the last 12 months, would you say you never, sometimes, most of the time or almost always…………..
0 = Never | 1 = Some-times | 2 - Most of the time | 3 - Almost always
1. Bet more than you could really afford to lose? 0 1 2 3
2. Need to gamble with larger amounts of money to get the same feeling of excitement? 0 1 2 3
3. Go back another day to try to win back the money you lost? 0 1 2 3
4. Borrow money or sold anything to get money to gamble? 0 1 2 3
5. Feel that you might have a problem with gambling? 0 1 2 3
6. Feel gambling has caused you any health problems, including stress or anxiety? 0 1 2 3
7. Have people criticizing your betting or telling you that you have a gambling problem, regardless of whether or not you think it is true? 0 1 2 3
8. Feel your gambling has caused financial problems for you or your household? 0 1 2 3
9. Feel guilty about the way you gamble or what happens when you gamble? 0 1 2 3
Scoring
Non-Problem Gambling (Score of 0): This score means that there are no identified negative consequences associated with your gambling.
At-Risk Gambling (Score of 1 to 2): This score means that you have probably not experienced any negative consequences from your gambling. However, you may want to monitor your gambling if you gamble frequently or experience some of the risk factors listed below.
Moderate Gambling Problems (Score of 3 to 7): This score means that your gambling is possibly starting to have a negative impact on yourself and/or others close to you. You should monitor your gambling particularly if you gamble frequently and/or have three or four of the risk factors listed below.
Severe Gambling Problems (Score of 8 to 27): This score means that you are having difficulty controlling your gambling and that you are experiencing negative consequences related to your gambling. Higher scores are associated with a higher level of problems and risk factors. It is encouraged that you examine your involvement in gambling.
Risk factors
Believing that you are due for a win or that you can control the outcomes
A history or family history of alcohol, drug, gambling or overspending problems
Problems with depression, anxiety or stress
A tendency to deal with negative feelings by gambling or using substances
A tendency to be impulsive
Financial Problems
3. ADDRESSING GAMBLING CONCERNS
It is important to know that a gambling problem is a real problem and without help, things can get worse. Many people successfully overcome gambling problems and there are numerous resources available to assist.
Self-exclusion
Some gambling sites offer an exclusion option that prevents players from accessing the site for a certain period of time. Using exclusion can benefit players by providing a safety-net. However, it is best used in combination with other helping aids including seeking the assistance of a problem gambling counselor, joining a self-help group and accessing information resources.
Link to self-exclusion option on site or possibly to a site such as www.gamstop.org which helps stop gambling sites from running on a person’s computer.
On-Line Assistance
GamAid (www.gamaid.com) ) is an organization that provides online support to gamblers worldwide. Players can speak with a qualified advisor about gambling concerns by using the online chat or email features. All information is strictly confidential.
As well, there are numerous groups that provide information about local services and support groups. Most help lines are toll-free, anonymous and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Australia ( (www.centrelink.gov.au/internet/internet.nsf/services/gamb.htm)
Austria (www.as-wien.com)
Belgium (www.jeu-pathologique.be)
Canada (rgco.org/en/help/gettinghelp-helplines.cfm)
Denmark (www.ringgaarden.dk)
France (www.sosjoueurs.org)
Germany (www.gluecksspielsucht.de)
Hong Kong (www.evencentre.org)
Iceland (www.saa.is)
Israel (www.compulsivegambling.org.il)
Italy: (www.siipac.it)
Malta (www.caritasmalta.org)
Netherlands (www.assissa.nl)
Norway (www.hjelpelinjen.no)
New Zealand (www.pgfnz.co.nz)
Singapore (www.ncpg.org.sg)
South Africa (www.responsiblegambling.co.za))
Sweden (www.spelinstitutet.se)
Switzerland (www.careplay.ch)
United Kingdom (www.gamcare.org.uk)
United States (www.ncpgambling.org)
For more resources, see www.gamaid.com/go/?o=36
Self-help
Groups such as Gamblers Anonymous and Gam-Anon are international organizations that bring together individuals with gambling concerns to share experiences and find solutions. There are many benefits from obtaining support and encouragement from individuals who share similar concerns. Gamblers Anonymous provides support to individuals experiencing problems related to their own gambling, while Gam-Anon is a group for those experiencing problems related to someone else’s gambling.
www.gamblersanonymous.org
www.gam-anon.org
Online Workbooks and other resources
The links below provide information and self-help guides to help better understand the nature of gambling problems and to explore ways to address gambling-related concerns.
www.gettingpastgambling.com
www.gamblingandyou.org
www.masscompulsivegambling.org/paths/help.php
www.addiction.ucalgary.ca/ordertest.htm
www.ncpgambling.org/resources
www.gamcare.org.uk/site.builder/counsellingadvice.html
www.problemgambling.sa.gov.au
4. PARENT RESOURCES
As a parent there are a number of things that you can do to prevent your child from accessing a gambling site. These include:
1. Not leaving your gambling software running when not at your computer and protecting your password and account information
2. Preventing access to credit cards, bank cards, and pin numbers
3. Installing child protection software that prevents access to gambling sites
Examples of child protection software include:
CyberPatrol www.cyberpatrol.com
Cybersitter www.cybersitter.com
SafeEyes www.safeeyes.com
ContentProtect www.netnanny.com
The following sites rate a number of child protection software: internet-filter-review.toptenreviews.com and www.getnetwise.org
4. Talking to your children about gambling
Increasingly, children are exposed to gambling whether through advertisements or local lottery kiosks. Children who understand gambling and the risks are better equipped to make healthy choices related to gambling. In this regard, parents are important key influencers. At an early age, children develop concepts of gambling from observing their parents. It is important that parents realize the impact their own gambling behavior and attitudes have on their children, and the importance of transferring healthy and balanced attitudes about gambling.
Sites with information on talking to your kids about gambling include:
www.co.lane.or.us/prevention/gambling/youth.htm
parent.aadac.com/prevention/parent_info_series_2_2.asp
www.responsiblegambling.qld.gov.au/education-services/school-stuff/schoolstuff/index.htm
5. Education in Schools
Prevention and early intervention strategies are critical to the prevention of gambling-related problems. Gambling education in schools ensures youth have the knowledge and skills to make healthy choices related to their gambling, understand the risks of gambling and understand signs of a gambling problem and what to do if gambling is a problem.
Examples of School-Based Initiatives include:
www.responsiblegambling.qld.gov.au/education-services/school-stuff/schoolstuff/index.html
www.gamblingaddiction.org/Prevent/PreventGuide.pdf
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Disclaimer: The IGC does not have any formal relationship with the organizations listed here but does recognize the important contribution they make. The information contained on this website is intended as a public service and does not reflect IGC endorsement, or support, of a specific service or product. A purchase may be required to access some of the products or services.
Version 06.12.11
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