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Understanding Problem Gambling
Problem gambling sometimes referred to as ‘gambling addiction’ or ‘gambling disorder’, refers to unhealthy gambling habits that negatively affect a person and often their loved ones. It’s characterized by an overwhelming desire to gamble despite being aware of the negative consequences.
In the state of Colorado, around 5% of adults are affected by a gambling disorder, but not everyone can spot problem gambling signs.
Fortunately, there’s plenty of support and resources to help you if you’re struggling with compulsive gambling. By understanding problematic gambling behavior and the risks of betting, you can take the necessary steps to mitigate these risks and seek professional help when required.
Common Signs of Problem Gambling
Being aware of and recognizing problem gambling signs is crucial to enjoying online betting safely. We strongly encourage our readers to take a self-assessment quiz periodically. This will help you assess your gambling behavior to determine whether further support is needed.
Recognizing the warning signs isn’t always easy, especially if you’re dealing with addiction symptoms. Below are real stories from anonymous gamblers shared by an organization providing help and treatment for problematic gambling. They highlight the risks of gambling and how easy it can be to fall into the trap of gambling addiction.
Case Study #1
“So one night, I was alone while my husband was with his friends. I decided to go to the casino to keep my mind from worrying about where my husband is. After that night, all hell went loose. I started going to the casino while my husband was at work. I would lie to my husband and tell him I was with my sister or my friends when in reality I was in the casino gambling. I was lying left and right. Took out a bunch of loans from different banks to feed my gambling addiction.”
Case Study #2
“I couldn’t be happy with what I won, I wanted more and more. I would chase losses and go to the next bonus hoping it would help and it would pay out but really it never did. Whatever I won I would sink back into gambling hopefully to win big… I lied to my family where my money went.. borrowed money via loans and those loans went straight back into gambling and I lost every single penny to it.”
Case Study #3
“I didn’t know I was embarking on a path of self-destruction. When I realized that gambling was part of my everyday life, I realized I had a problem. If I won, I wanted more. If I was losing, I would chase my losses.”
Below is a quick gambling checklist created by Colorado Betting Hub. You can use it to check in with yourself. It’s important to answer the questions honestly.
Gambling Checklist
- Do you often think about gambling or plan to gamble in the future?
- Have you ever gambled more than you intended to?
- Did you ever lie to family or friends about how much and frequently you gamble?
- Do you often gamble to escape problems or relieve stress and anxiety?
- Have you ever neglected work, school, or other responsibilities because of gambling?
- Have you ever felt guilty about how much you gamble?
- Do you find it difficult to accept losses?
- Has gambling caused problems in your relationships, work, and other areas of your life?
- Did you ever borrow money or sell something to have gambling funds?
- Do you find it difficult to stop gambling?
If you answered yes to three or more questions, your gambling habits may be problematic. It may be helpful to seek further advice or professional help. Remember, seeking help is a positive step towards healthy gambling behavior.
Impact on Mental Health
The consequences of gambling addiction can influence a lot more than your finances; it can significantly impact your mental health. The stress of financial debt and feelings of guilt over excessive gambling can contribute to a host of mental health issues.
Statistics on gambling addiction have shown a high correlation between problem gambling and issues such as depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and anti-social behavior. Even worse, studies have shown that uncontrolled gambling affects more than just the individual. From financial burdens to the breakdown of relationships and emotional devastation, gambling addiction can cause serious strains on important relationships.
Getting Help for Gambling Problems
Recognizing the signs of gambling addiction and accepting you may have a problem is the first step to recovery. Fortunately, there are various treatment options you can consider for gambling addiction treatment.
Below are the key support services available for anyone struggling with gambling addiction:
- Self-Help Resources – Online resources such as self-assessment, setting gambling limits, and blocking tools are all effective ways to treat early signs of gambling addiction.
- Counseling – Counseling and professional therapy are key to overcoming gambling addiction, especially if self-help methods haven’t been effective.
- Support Groups – Problem gambling support groups like Gamblers Anonymous can provide further support and recovery programs. Signing up at your local GA group in Colorado is a great way to find support in a safe space. There are also online support communities you can reach out to.
Supporting a Loved One With Gambling Issues
If you have a loved one exhibiting signs of problem gambling or seeking gambling addiction treatment, it’s important to know how to offer support in their recovery journey. Here are some tips to provide support:
- Encourage them to seek professional help if they haven’t done so already.
- Avoid judgemental statements or ultimatums.
- Be patient with them and remember that recovery takes time and effort.
- Avoid confrontation criticism.
- Encourage alternative activities that can replace gambling.
Responsible Gambling Practices
Responsible gambling practices are essential to ensure gambling remains fun and safe. By following the right safe gambling guidelines and using the tools available in your betting account, you can greatly minimize the risk of developing harmful gambling behaviors or addiction.
Below are our top tips for safe gambling:
- Remember that gambling is meant to be fun; it’s not a way to earn money.
- Approach gambling with realistic expectations. Winning is never guaranteed.
- Never chase your losses.
- Use safe gambling tools to avoid the temptation of gambling more than you should.
- Never gamble with money you can’t afford to lose.
- Understand the odds and risks associated with betting.
- Recognize the warning signs of gambling dependency.
- Take regular self-assessments.
- Balance gambling with other activities.
- Never gamble under the influence of drugs and alcohol.
- Avoid gambling when you’re not in the right state of mind, especially when stressed or dealing with mental health issues.
Licensed operators in Colorado must provide various tools to help you stay in control. These may vary slightly between sites recommended here at ColoradoBetting Hub, but the most essential ones should always be available. We’ve explained these briefly below:
| Responsible Gambling Tool | Definition |
| Deposit Limit | Allows you to set the maximum amount you can deposit over a set period (daily, weekly, or monthly). Once you reach the amount, you won’t be able to deposit any more money until the next period. |
| Loss Limit | Limiting the amount you’re willing to lose over a specific period will help you gain better control of losses. When the limit is reached, you won’t be able to make any further wagers for that period. |
| Win Limit | The win limit is there to prevent you from losing more money and engaging in excessive gambling. It can be tempting to risk your winnings to win even more, but this often leads to big losses. |
| Cool-Off Period | If you need a break from gambling, activate a cool-off period to block yourself from your betting account for a set period. |
| Self-Exclusion | A complete block from your account, typically for months, years, or even permanently, if necessary. |
| Reality/Time Check | Periodic pop-up windows to remind you how long you’ve been active in your betting account. It’s easy to lose track of time when gambling online, so this is a simple way to control your gambling time. |
| Account Closure | If you feel you need to stop gambling or are finding it difficult to control your gambling even with the available tools, you can permanently close your account. |
Gambling Laws and Regulations in Colorado
Before engaging in any gambling, it’s crucial to be aware of the latest gambling regulations in your state. Colorado officially launched a legal sports betting market in 2020, allowing state residents aged 21 and over to bet on sports online.
Sports betting is legal as long as bets are placed with licensed operators. Currently, 13 sportsbooks offer licensed betting, authorized and overseen by the Colorado Department of Revenue.
It’s important to avoid unlicensed betting sites to ensure you’re playing in a safe environment. Colorado’s gambling laws are designed to protect bettors, focusing on consumer protection laws. This means operators must adhere to responsible advertising practices and provide members with the right tools to bet responsibly and within limits.
Resources and Organizations
If you’re concerned about your gambling habits, it’s crucial to reach out for support before the problem gets worse. There are countless resources and organizations to support you; we’ve listed some of the available addiction support services below:
- National gambling helpline – Call or text ‘1-800-GAMBLER’ for gambling help in Colorado. The helpline is available 24/7 and is completely confidential. You can also find a 24/7 online chat helpline on the Colorado Department of Revenue website.
- Government resources – The Problem Gambling Coalition of Colorado, along with the National Council on Problem Gambling, have been set up to provide gambling counseling, increase awareness, promote education on problem gambling, and advocate addiction treatment. You can also visit the center in person Monday to Saturday, between 10 am and 6 pm.
- Open support groups – There are 15 active Gamblers Anonymous meetings in Colorado. You can find meeting locations in cities all over Colorado, including Arvada, Aurora, Lakewood, Denver, and Fort Collins. Click here to find your nearest meeting spot.
Treatment Options in Colorado
There are a variety of treatment options available throughout Colorado. These services are designed to help you overcome gambling addiction, learn alternative coping mechanisms, and avoid relapse. The first step towards overcoming problem gambling can be using online resources like the self-exclusion tool on the betting site you’ve signed up with.
For further support, we recommend visiting sites like QuitGamble, which provides a full list of gambling support services in Colorado. They also offer tips, free courses, and an online gambling support community where users can seek help and support each other anonymously.
Professional Counseling Services
If you or a loved one need more personalized support, consider seeking professional therapy with an addiction counselor. Many licensed professionals in Colorado specialize in treating problem gambling and provide individual or family therapy for recovery.
Finding a safe space to work through your gambling addiction is the first step to recovery and regaining control over your life. For any help, the Problem Gambling Coalition of Colorado website can guide you further and connect you to a local therapist.
FAQs About Problem Gambling
How do I know if I have a gambling problem?
Some of the biggest warning signs of gambling addiction include feeling frustrated when you don’t win, chasing your losses, and gambling more than you intend to. Other symptoms are lying about gambling, borrowing money, and feeling restless when you’re not gambling.
What treatment options are available?
There are many treatment options available to anyone dealing with gambling addiction or simply looking to learn more about safe gambling. These include support groups, online resources, gambling-blocking tools, therapy, and multi-step recovery programs.
How can I help a family member with gambling issues?
It’s important to avoid judgment and criticism if a family member is dealing with gambling issues. Approach them with empathy and gently encourage them to seek professional help. Support groups like Gamblers Anonymous can provide further guidance. There are also open meetings where you can attend with your loved one to support their recovery.
Where can I find local support groups?
You can find local gambling addiction help or support groups through the Colorado Problem Gambling Coalition and Gamblers Anonymous meetings website.