Ep. 5 - Online Gambling: Strategies to Keep it in Check
When gambling gets out of hand, take it seriously. This is particularly important with online play - sports betting, poker, slots and all the tricky ways it is showing up in gaming. Take 25-minutes now and learn how to protect yourself by listening to this episode of Fold em. Click on the green play button above to hear from someone who has been there and a counsellor specializing in the online world.
If you would like to check out other episodes of our podcast, Fold em: Help for Gamblng Problems, click on the red button below. Be sure to subscribe, so you won’t miss out on the latest show.
Stories of online gambling, like the one in this episode, teach us to be cautious - especially if you have had problems with gambling in the past
The other night I was watching a hockey game on TV and saw repeated ads for free online gambling. I thought back to my conversation with Victoria for this episode of our podcast, Fold em: Help for Gambling Problems. She talked about how she had stopped casino gambling, but then started to play on line. Since it was so easily accessible at home, it quickly got out of control and had a devastating impact on her health, relationships and wellness.
Fortunately, Victoria has now been able to stop online play and reclaim balance in her life. In our interview, she tells us how she did it. Her experience is a reminder to be cautious with online line gambling, particularly if other types of gambling (casino, sports betting, scratch tickets) have been problematic in the past. Gambling problems are tricky and have a way of re-appearing again and again. Even when the ads show these free online sites as fun and exciting, don’t leave it to chance - protect yourself.
What are the risks of online gambling?
Manj Bath, a counsellor in Vancouver specializing in problem gambling and the online world, talks in this episode about the risks of online gambling:
since online gambling is done on your personal devices, it can be easier to access and harder to get space between you and the next bet
many people move from the simulated (free) online play to the commercial online gambling sites. And, research has shown that those who play simulated gambling games are more likely to develop a gambling problem than those who have not. This is particularly a concern for young people*
there are so many websites and a huge range in regulations to protect users
it can more easily be done as a solitary activity and hidden from others
How do I protect myself?
if your gambling has previously gotten out of control, it will likely happen again. The best way to protect yourself if you are considering online gambling is to be honest with yourself about how it has turned out in the past.
do what is needed to get space between cravings and placing a bet, e.g. deactivate accounts or exclude yourself from a gambling websites, install software to block access to all online gambling sites, and/or make sure you can’t easily deposit money into an online account.
make a list of what triggers your thoughts of gambling and do what is needed to avoid these, e.g. unsubscribe to gambling promotions, turn down the volume of gambling ads, make a list of things to do when bored or wanting to celebrate.
if you decide to go ahead with online gambling, make a plan to keep it in check, e.g. set a weekly deposit limit and set up reminders on the gambling website for time and spending limits. Share this plan with someone you trust and evaluate regularly whether you are sticking to it. If you are not, change the plan or stop gambling.
connect with the many supports and resources that are available to help people with their questions and concerns about online gambling. See the Supports and Counselling page at www.gamblingproblemhelp.ca
If you would like to hear Victoria’s story with online gambling and hear more suggestions from her and Manj about how to decrease or stop if it gets out of control, listen to episode five of Fold em. Tune in now through clicking on the green “play” button at the top of this blog. If you prefer to tune in through Google or Apple Podcasts, click on the red “Listen Now” button below.
Fold em is a podcast hosted by Adrienne Cossom and her colleagues at Gambling Support BC. Whether you are looking at stopping or scaling back your own gambling or supporting a family member with a problem, this podcast will help you take back control. Hear from gamblers who have been through it and get tips from counsellors.
If you live in British Columbia and would like to access free, confidential support and counselling with Manj and the team at Gambling Support BC, click on the red “Connect with Supports in BC” button below.
To learn more about gambling concerns and how to access resources and support, go to the home page of this website OR click on the red “Learn More” button below.
*Source: Australian Gambling Research Centre, https://aifs.gov.au/agrc/publications/is-it-gambling-or-game