Gambling is a well-known means of entertainment to enhance the enjoyment of casino games. However, gambling can indeed hurt mental health, especially when problems such as gambling addiction are present.
Therefore, you must protect yourself and your loved ones by taking corrective action before you go to sites like the Rocket Play casino sign-up and as soon as you see any recognizable symptoms of gambling addiction.
Recognizing the Signs of Gambling Addiction
Some symptoms of gambling addiction are easy to detect before you go to sites like the rocket play casino sign-in. In almost all cases, these 7 symptoms are the most visible before the person falls into a pattern of gambling addiction:
- Progressive desensitisation: There comes a point at which the sums of money must increase for the gambler to feel the adrenaline rush of gambling.
- Lack of control occurs when the gambler can no longer self-correct the urge to gamble.
- Consistency: The need to bet constantly and cyclically even in the absence of stimuli such as sporting events or bonuses to be won.
- Disinterest: When the gambler loses interest in other activities or uses gambling when he/she feels bad to shield him/herself from uncomfortable situations.
- Denial: This occurs when the bettor seeks to correct an outcome with more bets, trying to make up for what he has lost.
- Anxiety: As with other types of addictions, the absence of gambling generates anxiety, irritability, and even anger in the addicted person in a state of abstinence.
- Irresponsibility: This is the clearest sign of gambling addiction. We see it mainly when the gambler uses money he does not have, and incurs debts, loans, or even illicit money to continue gambling.
Now that we know what symptoms to look out for. Let’s talk more about ways you can help yourself if you notice that you, or someone you love, is showing these symptoms.
Setting Limits and Budgeting
The first thing we are going to recommend is that you create a gambling budget. What does this mean? No matter what, you will not be able to exceed a certain amount in your bets on a monthly and/or weekly basis. We don’t say daily, because betting daily would be a problem.
Now, to set up your budget we recommend you follow some rules:
- Never gamble more than 10% of your monthly income (after expenses and taxes).
- Never take the money you don’t have to gamble. In this sense, if one day you don’t have money, don’t gamble, and that’s it.
- Redistribute your winnings. Let’s say your weekly budget is 10$, so if you win 20$, leave 10$ for each week, don’t go crazy with your winnings.
By following these simple rules you will be able to better manage your gambling budget and avoid major losses. Also, sites like the Rocket Play Casino Australia, will offer you self-exclusion measures to protect you from gambling issues.
Seeking Support and Help
If you notice symptoms of gambling addiction, your first option should be to call the National Gambling Helpline on 1800 858 858. The call is free and you will be attended by professionals who operate 24/7.
Another notable option is https://www.gamblinghelponline.org.au/, where they offer immediate and online help.
On the other hand, the best online casinos Australia will offer you direct lines to these or other organization’s that provide help for gamblers.
Self-Care Strategies when you play casino online for real money
However, there are some strategies you can employ now to gamble safely and not get addicted to gambling. We are going to recommend a few to help you maintain a healthy lifestyle as you keep gambling as part of your entertainment:
Establish flexible gambling schedules
As with any type of entertainment activity, it is ideal to have a flexible, non-excessive gambling schedule. By this, we mean that it is just as bad to watch movies alone in your room for 6 hours a day as it is to gamble for the same amount of time.
Limit your bets to special events
You can limit your betting to certain major sporting events, you can take one sporting league that runs throughout the year or several. In the case of casinos, there are usually weekly or fortnightly events that give you bonuses and free spins for betting. Saving your betting time for such events can be beneficial in the long run.
Limit your budget
We can’t say this enough, if you keep a realistic budget, you will have fewer financial problems when gambling and therefore avoid falling into the habit.
Don’t neglect your health
No hobby can come before your physical and mental health. Add exercise to your daily routine, talk to people or professionals if you have emotional problems, and eat right.
Don’t neglect your relationships
Human beings are essentially social. We like and need to be with other people. That is why it is important to maintain and nurture your interpersonal relationships. Who says you can’t play with your partner or a family member when you place your bets? This will make the activity healthier, and more exciting, and also having a partner makes it easier to detect an addiction problem should it arise.
Use the casinos’ self-exclusion system
The best legit Australian online casino always have a self-exclusion system to limit your budget and/or playing time. This is useful if you want to protect your psyche and your wallet.
Conclusion
Mental health should be the first thing you take care of when you get into the world of online gambling. For this reason, the best online casino AUD tend to offer direct links to gambling support organisations, as well as access and set up self-exclusion systems to help you set limits where sheer willpower might fail you.
Remember to always gamble responsibly, and watch out for any signs of addiction to stop before it’s too late.