Taking into account the rapid development of the online gambling industry and the already existing high indicators of the popularity of online casinos, the issue of problematic gambling is an inevitable challenge. The PayIDGambler’s editor-in-chief, Alexis Collins, shares their research on the topic of responsible gambling and provides valuable tips and techniques to prevent the possibility of addiction to online casinos.

Gambling addiction rates and data in Australia

Australia is one of the leading regions in terms of number of gamblers. According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare survey, 72.8% of Australians gambled in 2022. What’s more shocking is that 46% of Aussies experience gambling harm of any level. And this is not surprising, as with the development of technologies and numerous online casinos, people can gamble anywhere and anytime. This is proved by another statistic, showing that 42% of bets were placed online in 2023. 

The psychology behind gambling addiction

Gambling addiction, or compulsive gambling, is a complicated condition. Here, we give you some reasons why it is so easy to get hooked on gambling.

Narcotic effect

When people engage in gambling activities, they are likely to activate the brain’s reward system due to the expectation and actual wins. This leads to dopamine release, a neurotransmitter related to pleasure and reward, which brings a sense of euphoria. This feeling becomes associated with gambling itself and intermittent rewards make it so alluring, since it mimics the conditioning mechanism behind substance abuse.

Impact of emotions

Emotional influences have a significant contribution to gambling addiction. A lot of players harbour wrong ideas, such as the illusion of control, where they overestimate their capacity to affect the outcome, or the gambler’s fallacy, which means that past random events can influence future ones. 

Emotional escape

Emotional factors could cause an individual suffering from stress, depression, or anxiety to engage in gambling while under distress or to relieve tension. Gambling provides immediate relief or distraction from dealing with real-life issues. So, it becomes a way by which addicts keep these feelings at bay. 

Preventing problem gambling: tips and techniques

PayID-Gambler.com is a site about gambling. However, the first rule of gambling is to prioritise safety before having fun. This led Alexis Collins to take a deep dive into responsible gambling techniques, which can prevent players from facing problematic gambling.

Implement mandatory cooling-off period

This means you must take some time off every time after a big win or loss. This break can help you take a breath and reflect on your gambling activity. It will not let you immediately chase your loss or bet more to get a bigger win. No impulsivity when gambling on real money!

Never borrow money for gambling

Borrowing money for gambling or gambling on credit money is a cardinal sin. Gamblers must keep in mind that casinos are places for fun, not making money. Therefore, you should not test your luck using money that you can’t afford, as, unfortunately, no one can guarantee that the next bet will be successful.

Set limits

There are often built-in casino limits that you can activate in order not to get too excited about gambling sessions and overspend your funds. These limits usually include session tie limit, deposit and loss limit, and self-exclusion. In case a casino does not have these options, it is a little red flag. However, you can substitute built-in limits with apps that can ban you from chosen gambling sites or block access to online casinos at all. Additionally, some payment methods, like Neteller, offer built-in gambling tools, including a deposit limit.

Tip from PayID gambler’s editor-in-chief, Alexis Collins: Use a gambling diary

Writing a detailed gambling diary can help you keep an eye on your gambling conduct. The notes should include the amount of time and money used, games played, and feelings before and after each play. Check through your notes from time to time, as this will enable you to identify trends and acknowledge cues, among other things, that may lead you into realising whether you are gambling too much or even that you use gambling as some kind of emotional shield from real-life problems. Thus, making it a good self-monitoring tool.

Help and resources for gambling addiction recovery from PayID-Gambler.com

Seeking professional help is not a manifestation of weakness, but a way to get control of your life! Here’s a list of several Australian authorities that help people fight against gambling addiction.

1. gamblershelp.com.au — Gamblers Help is an Australian support service that provides free online help for gambling addicts. Specialists from the organisation offer counselling, education, and self-referral resources.

2. gaaustralia.org.au — Gamblers Anonymous Australia organise supporting meetings for those who don’t want to disclose their identity. On their website, you can see when is the next meeting in your city. Also, they help people overcome gambling addiction online. 

3. lifeline.org.au — Life Line is a worldwide organisation, providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention. You can contact them by phone and online.

However, if you feel that you are not ready yet to share your issues with others, don’t hesitate to open the attached websites. There, you can find helpful sources and education information.