Online casino game developers suggest games with new themes, top-notch graphics, and audio quality so that the players would love to keep playing online pokies for many hours.
Excessive play of online pokies can lead to psychological disorder financial strain, and risk of losing everything to chase wins or prove a point.
Online pokies refers to online gambling with a high risk of addiction. According to research, 33% of Australians play online pokies on a regular basis, and 67% of them are at risk.
Sign That You Need Help
Sometimes, the desire to quit playing may not be enough, and the player will need help to stop playing online pokies. Here are the signs that it is time to seek help for obsession with gambling.
- Inability to finish work or errands as thinking of casino games all the time.
- Playing to feel better about life.
- Spending almost all the free time playing.
- Financial problems like unpaid bills because of using money to fund gambling.
- Bigger risk appetite in the hope of recovering past losses.
- Lying to loved ones about online casino game habits.
- Withdrawal and social isolation.
- Poor mental health.
- Checking online casino sites all the time to look for promos on games.
How to Quit
Here’s a plan to follow to aid in quitting online pokies.
Understanding Situation
Relapses in gambling can serve as learning opportunities to identify triggers. It’s crucial to assess strategies that were effective or ineffective. Overcoming this habit is challenging, but attainable. Often, negative emotions or life events can increase the risk of relapse, making adherence to plans tougher.
Identify Your Triggers
Understand what pushes you to start playing pokies. Put simply, it is needed to know what triggers are. These could include:
- Thoughts of gambling and memories of past times swirl around.
- Feeling bored or stressed about something leads to cravings.
- Coping techniques.
To determine what triggers are, write them down.
If gambling causes negative emotions and stress, contact a therapist or discuss it with a loved one. And if the player is looking for a thrill in the game, it is worth looking for a hobby that will cause the same sensations.
Engage in Healthy Alternatives
Online pokies change the reward system in the player’s brain, which is why it’s so hard to quit playing. To reduce or eliminate gambling, it is needed to learn how to rest and relax. Also, it’s necessary to find healthy alternatives to gambling.
What to include in player’s daily routine:
- Take 15 minutes to exercise. This will help reduce the stress levels that come with gambling.
- Meditation, yoga, and deep breathing exercises can help to slow down and shift attention.
- Studies show that therapeutic art promotes mental health. Take up music, and drawing, it will take the mind off gambling.
- Volunteer at a hospital or local animal shelter.
Avoid High-risk Situations
Once near a casino, it is difficult to avoid the urge to gamble. Use the following techniques to avoid high-risk situations:
- Avoid casinos and online betting platforms.
- Terminate credit cards.
- Refrain from taking loans.
- Limit the cash-carrying.
- Uninstall betting apps.
- Skip social events at gaming venues.
- Take the distance from gambling-related influences.
Tools to Help Gambling Addicted People
There are several tools to help stop gambling:
Online Gambling Blockers
- Gamban. Gamban blocks all gambling apps and websites worldwide, including cryptocurrencies and cyber sports betting. It can be installed on computers, mobile phones, and tablets, and runs on Mac OS, Windows, Android, and iOS.
Self-Exclusion Program
Australian law requires gambling providers to provide customers with the option to self-exclude themselves from their establishments. This is a free program that allows gamblers to ban themselves from gambling establishments or gambling on the Internet.
- BetStop. This is a program that, after registration with it, transfers the user’s details to participating bookmakers. Thus, it is not possible to create or use an existing account with these providers.
- BetBlocker. Free gambling website access blocker for 24 hours to five years. Has a parental control feature that allows you to switch the tool on and off with a password.
- Betfilter. A blocker of gambling sites and apps. The app provides a daily, weekly, or monthly usage report. Offers resources and tools for families to support loved ones facing a gambling problem.
Filtration Systems
- Gamblock. An all-in-one blocker with very strong protection that can’t be bypassed with VPNs or proxy servers. Available for Windows and Android.
Seek Professional Help
If feeling unable to overcome a gambling problem on your own or if you have already tried but failed to quit without intervention, then consider getting professional help. Consult a mental health professional who can help to identify problems and make plans for quitting.
Some may also prescribe medications if necessary or treatment options, including:
- Inpatient rehab provides 24/7 support for severe gambling addiction.
- Address underlying issues like substance abuse or mental health disorders through therapy, medication, and lifestyle adjustments. Rule out conditions like bipolar disorder.
- CBT targets and reshapes harmful gambling thoughts and behaviors, offering lifelong coping strategies.
- Family and career counseling aids in mending relationships and financial issues resulting from gambling.
Participate in Support Groups
Joining a 12-step program or other support group provides a connection with others facing addiction. Even if there’s no specific group for gambling, attending meetings for other addictions can be beneficial.
Consider groups like Gamblers Anonymous to share and connect with those with similar experiences, fostering valuable, nonjudgmental connections.
Note: To get support, use the contact details:
Australia: a 24-hour helpline at 1800 858 858
UK: a helpline at 0808 8020 133
The USA: a 24-hour helpline at 1-800-522-4700
Internationally: Gamblers Anonymous offers 12-step support meetings for people with a gambling problem, while Gam-Anon offers support for the problem gambler’s family members.
Conclusion
Online pokies is a great way to relax and have free time. But too much playing may cause more harm than good. If you find yourself wishing to play right now and you are unable to control your desires, here is the plan to help yourself in the moment:
Talk to your support person.
Write down your feelings and actions in a gambling diary. Look for positive things too.
Get involved in something: watch a film or have a walk.
Practice relaxation.
Engage the help of others including professionals if necessary.
RELATED ARTICLES
- Risks and Benefits of Using PayID for Sports Betting
- How To Get Great Experience When Betting Online
- Here's Why You Should Play Popular Online Casino Games
- China protects its children from TikTok, restricts time to 40 minutes a day, Western children face rampant addiction
- Klaus Schwab tries to conceal WEF affiliation with Sam Bankman-Fried
Loading ...
