What is Responsible Gambling?

There is uncertainty in life. While most people can generally predict what’s going to happen, those predictions are educated guesses at best. However, that uncertainty can be thrilling. 

It’s why people gamble. They put money down on a sports team or buy a lotto ticket. They don’t know if they’re going to win, but the possibility of winning gives them a high, just like a drug.

But people can become addicted to this high and chasing it can have dire financial consequences. However, suffering consequences isn’t always enough to compel a person to change their behaviour in regards to gambling.

At Sivana Bali, we want to help people change their habits when it comes to process addictions such as gambling.

Why Is There a Need For Responsible Gambling?

The main reason that there is a need for responsible gambling is that there are a significant amount of Australians who are at risk for gambling harm. As such, there is a need to help people change their gambling behaviour so they can avoid facing the serious consequences of gambling addiction.

The aim of responsible gambling is not to stop all gambling. Rather, it is to protect consumers from both themselves and gaming venues.

What is the Current Approach to Responsible Gambling?

The current approach to responsible gambling involves a combination of changing consumer behaviour and limiting how gaming venues can promote their services. Some of the approaches include:

Empowering Problem Gamblers to Make Informed Choices

Gaming venues have to provide consumers with information regarding the different gambling products that they offer. This information allows gamblers to understand the game that they’re playing and their chances of winning, which allows them to make informed choices when it comes to their play.

General Warnings

Gamblers are also warned about the potential for gambling harm and the risk of developing an addiction if they start playing.

Consumer Protection In the Gambling Industry

Changing a person’s habits is vital to helping those who may be experiencing gambling harm. Some of ways that gamblers are protected include:

Integrity

Gaming venues go through a rigorous process to ensure that they comply with the law and offer gamblers a fair chance at winning.

Messages to Curb Problem Gambling

There are also messages warning gamblers to bet what they can afford to promote responsible gambling practices.

Safeguards Built Into the Environment

One of the ways in which the harm from problem gambling can be minimised is by building safeguards into the venue itself. This includes having ATMs outside of gaming areas and for venues to have clocks so that players do not lose track of the time.

Large gaming wins must also be paid by cheque so as to discourage players from using it to play again. There are also bans on free alcohol and free credit as inducements to play on gaming machines.

What is Self-Exclusion?

In gambling, self-exclusion is a voluntary programme in which a person can restrict their gambling activity and time at venues for a specified duration. Self-exclusion programmes are typically implemented to help people overcome their urge to gamble or limit the amount of time they spend gambling. 

Here’s an overview of what self-exclusion generally entails:

Voluntary

As mentioned before, self-exclusion programmes are voluntary. An individual decides for themselves to be excluded from gambling activities. They can do this for a number of reasons, but regardless of their reasoning, a person has to decide for themselves if they want to take a step away from gambling.

Duration

The period of exclusion can vary in length. Some can last months or even years. There are even some programmes that allow for lifetime exclusion from gambling activities.

Formal Enrollment

While a person can decide to exclude themselves from gambling activities on their own, there is generally a formal enrollment process for self-exclusion programmes. This process involves filling out forms, providing identification, and agreeing to the terms and conditions of a programme.

Restrictions

After a person enrols in a programme, their name is added to a database of self-excluded individuals. This database is shared with gaming operators and venues, who are obligated to stop a person on the list from engaging in gaming activities while they are in their exclusion period.

Repercussions

Breaking the terms of an agreement can have serious consequences. One of the most common repercussions is a lifetime ban from gaming venues and depending on local laws, a person may have legal consequences.

Help For Problem Gamblers

While responsible gambling practices can help curb some of the harm associated with gambling, some people will need help with their habits. Some of the resources that can help gamblers break their habits include:

Government Resources

The Australian government understands that there are many who need help with gambling. As such, they provide resources and support organisations that provide free and confidential gambling help for those who have a gambling problem or know someone who does. One of these resources is the National Gambling Helpline which can be contacted at 1800 858 858.

Private Rehabs

There are numerous private rehabs that provide treatment for process addictions such as gambling. In these rehab facilities, the central approach is likely to be Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), which is a type of therapy that is concerned with identifying and changing thought patterns that lead to unhealthy behaviours.

Support Groups and Therapy

Support groups can help people recover from gambling addiction by giving them a safe place to connect with others who are facing similar struggles and learn from them. Individual therapy can help people by giving them a safe space to talk about their struggles and develop coping mechanisms for urges.

Financial Counselling

Because gambling can often drain a person’s financial resources, the Department of Social Services provides Commonwealth Financial Counselling services that are aimed at helping people address their financial troubles, manage their debts, and make better monetary choices in the future. Their helpline can be reached at 1800 007 007.