Responsible Gaming

Objectives

    1. Vega World aims to put in place procedures to prevent the abuse of gambling and the proliferation of compulsive gamblers.
    2. Gaming is a form of entertainment enjoyed by millions of people and many gamblers play without experiencing any problems. However, some people can become addicted to this type of entertainment.

 

Symptoms

 

    1. Just as with alcohol or drugs, people can get addicted to gambling. Having a one-time losing streak will not change your life style but losing sufficient amounts of money on a regular basis indicates signs of compulsive gambling. Problem gambling causes disruptions in any major area of life: psychological, physical, social or vocational. It usually begins in adolescence in men and later in women.
    2. This behaviour usually progresses from occasional gambling to habitual gambling. The urge to gamble becomes so great that the tension can only be relieved by more gambling. Higher stakes and personal risks become involved, as well as neglect of other interests, family, and work.

 

Prevention

 

  1. Prevention of the urge to develop addictive behaviour is challenging and may not always be possible. Counselling may benefit people who are prone to compulsive gambling or other addictive behaviour. People with close relatives who are compulsive gamblers might be at higher risk and should be especially careful.
  2. Take a look at these questions and see whether they apply to you:
    • Did you ever lose time from work or school due to gambling?
    • Has gambling ever made your home life unhappy?
    • Did gambling affect your reputation?
    • Have you ever felt remorse after gambling?
    • Did you ever gamble to get money with which to pay debts or otherwise solve financial difficulties?
    • Did gambling cause a decrease in your ambition or efficiency?
    • After losing did you feel you must return as soon as possible and win back your losses?
    • After a win did you have a strong urge to return and win more?
    • Did you often gamble until your last dollar was gone?
    • Did you ever borrow to finance your gambling?
    • Have you ever sold anything to finance gambling?
    • Were you reluctant to use “gambling money” for normal expenditures?
    • Did gambling make you careless of the welfare of yourself or your family?
    • Did you ever gamble longer than you had planned?
    • Have you ever gambled to escape worry or trouble?
    • Have you ever committed, or considered committing, an illegal act to finance gambling?
    • Did gambling cause you to have difficulty in sleeping?
    • Do arguments, disappointments or frustrations create within you an urge to gamble?
    • Did you ever have an urge to celebrate any good fortune by a few hours of gambling?
    • Have you ever considered self destruction or suicide as a result of your gambling?
  3. If you answered "YES" to one or more of the questions above, you might consider contacting one of the following: