Responsible
Gambling - Good Attitude and Self-Awareness
Responsible Gambling - Overshadowed by stories of
problem gamblers running amok, many casino enthusiasts may
feel their personal control and integrity is always under
question. Criticism of casino goers is almost always based
on biased research involving a small percentage of gamblers
who actually "develop" a gambling problem. Attitudes
and views often change however, because technology, education,
demographic and cultural changes bring them about. What's
needed right now is a positive, mature attitude toward
gambling.
Responsible
governments (with responsible funding) could encourage the
development of responsible
approaches to gambling the way any other good behaviors
are promoted. Private sector groups like the NCRG
are doing some great work. There are efforts from the education
sector where students learn about statistical odds, risk
and money management. This is an intelligent and responsible
approach we should take note of. The self-management skills
being learned will be exercised in other areas of these
student's lives.
The
issue garnering the most attention has to do with them running
out of money and how they might start spending someone else's.
Notwithstanding that obvious truth, gambling problems really
have to do with the mind and behavior of the problem gambler
outside the gambling activity. If gambling is an escape
from the pain of life the way eating, alcohol, drugs and
television sometimes are, then the person should get some
professional help. No reputable casino wants money from
a problem gambler and their trail of trouble. The best casinos
have policies and screening procedures in place to identify
problem gamblers and prevent them from playing.
Most
gamblers however, do have control over themselves and how
they play their money at a casino. Those of us in the industry
don't accept the politically and socially generated view
of gambling as being inherently irresponsible, in fact there's
evidence to show that the majority of casino players have
no problem with playing a few hours of casino games.
New
Society - New Values and Pastimes
It's
a fact, that as the industrialized nation's population ages,
they will seek leisure and entertainment that is less physical,
less active and perhaps less mentally taxing and often do
it as an excuse to go on a vacation. The popularity of gambling
is growing as we all know, so anyone who suggests that casino
game players are irresponsible and ethically inferior is
not going to be popular.
Responsible
Gambler Traits
So what
is it about responsible casino players who play within their
means and stay clear of compulsive bad habits? Do they have
a mature, intelligent and evolved personality, which is
well put together and can separate an activity from their
core self-image? If they have a bad night out and lose a
couple hundred dollars, do they identify with the loss personally
and try to redeem themselves by chasing the loss? Responsible
gamblers don't chase losses, they enjoy the moment with
what they have and understand the risk. They play for the
fun of it and want some level of entertainment and interactivity
to take place.
What
is Responsible Gambling?
- Enjoying
the thrill of risking a small amount of money
- Enjoying
the thrill of a mental challenge while betting on the
outcome
- Enjoying
the pleasure of winning
- Not
using money you don't have
- Playing
in moderation or under control
- Stopping
when you have a bad losing steak
- Not
chasing losses
- Betting
at games where you understand the rules
- Stopping
when tired
- Feeling
sure of the quality of your self and your willingness
to take risks
Risk
is an Everyday Affair
This
last characteristic is a poignant one. Risk is an everyday
element of human life and most people are invigorated by
it and see it as something that helps them grow personally.
A risk that seems too high to one person, such as signing
a 25-year mortgage may be considered common sense for another.
Three generations ago, going into 25 years of debt with
a high interest rate was considered outrageous and immoral.
Today things have changed because people's attitude toward
risk has changed.
The
End of Negative Propaganda about Gambling
It's
incredible how we hear sensationalized reports of problem
gamblers and the petty crimes and misery they get involved
in, yet we hear nothing of international bank
loans gone bad to the tune of 30 billion dollars or
more. In this case, the banks gambled their depositor's
hard earned money and frittered it away at very risky takeovers
and loans to foreign countries where they possessed very
little control over that money. The bad loans are called
write-offs
and are soon forgotten. We all enjoy the privelege of paying
off those billion debts however, and the problem is a whole
lot more meaningful than a few problem individuals placing
a few bets.
Currently,
there is no recovery organization for problem bankers. The
key here is that bigger more foolish losses are swept under
the carpet while smaller more infrequent losses are exaggerated
by the media. On a social and economic level, there are
many issues that rank well above problem gambling.
Positive
Attitudes about Gambling
The
truth about gambling today is that people can participate
in it while exercising control and being aware of their
behavior. Another key truth is that gambling
is not going to go away, so generating a mature, positive
view of this activity is very important for society. A positive,
constructive approach makes it more likely people will gamble
within their means, and know when to stop.
Having
a positive attitude about gambling or gaming is what
protects the responsible gambler's self-image from the destructive
effects of the bad attitudes some people have about this
form of entertainment. Beyond that, gamblers should understand
the risks of losing money and gamble within their means.
If you
enjoy gambling online or on land, take comfort in the idea
that it's okay to put some money where your mouth is so
to speak. Have a good time at the online casinos.
Other
Articles of Interest on Responsible Gambling:
The
Brighter Side of Gambling
Good
Choices - Good Attitude
Putting
Gambling Taxes to Good Use
Gambling
Provides Net Benefits To Australia
Casinos
At The Forefront Of Responsible Gaming
American
Perceptions Of Casino Gambling
Virtues
of Gambling
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