| | |  | Last Updated: Tuesday, June 19, 2007 |  | | | Responsible Gambling
- Saturday, 25 Mar 2006
Most people who take up gambling do so in a responsible manner. As with anything in life, including alcohol, smoking or even driving a car, gambling has the potential of being destructive if it is not done in the right way. So, what is responsible gambling? Firstly, gambling should be done for pleasure and entertainment and not as an easy way to make money. Gambling should not be the only form of entertainment in a person's life and other activities should be taken up as well, to provide balance.
Secondly, gambling should be done as a social activity and not alone. Although online gambling is traditionally done in a person's own home, there are various chat rooms, support groups and live-dealer sites that bring the feeling of community and comradeship into the experience. Gambling at land-based casinos could involve family or friends. Thirdly, gambling should not come at the expense of one's household budget. Money should be set aside for gambling, as with any other form of entertainment, and the gambler should stick to this budget. Responsible gamblers do not chase losses; instead, they consider these losses as the cost of entertainment.
Finally, responsible gambling involves recognizing problematic behavior such as compulsive gambling, depression and too much time spent gambling. Responsible gamblers will know when to stop or to seek help if they think they need it.
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