Responsible gambling
Responsible gaming is an approach based on risk awareness, self-control, and set limits. This means that gambling is treated as a form of entertainment, not as a way to earn a steady income or escape personal problems.
It is crucial that this activity remains within one’s means, both in terms of time and finances. Spinprofy promotes informed decision-making and educates users about the risks associated with gambling. Understanding the principles of responsible gaming is a fundamental step in preventing addiction in the future.
When does gambling cease to be fun? Warning signs
Gambling addiction (pathological gambling) is a form of psychological disorder that manifests itself in excessive involvement in games of chance. The process of developing an addiction is gradual. The problem begins when the player loses control over their contact with the casino, and gambling becomes the only goal and pleasure in life. Below are the main warning signs that may indicate problematic gambling:
- You lose control over your budget and the time you spend gambling.
- You often play with the intention of “making up for losses” (chasing losses), which often leads to a spiral of debt.
- You hide your gambling activities or spending from family and friends.
- You feel irritated, anxious, aggressive, or negative emotions when you cannot gamble (e.g., due to responsibilities or lack of access).
- You neglect key responsibilities—professional, family, school, or social—because of gambling.
- You need to gamble for higher and higher stakes to feel the same level of excitement and satisfaction.
- Gambling becomes a means of escaping negative emotions, stress, or arguments in real life.
- Serious financial problems arise, including the need to borrow money, sell property, or even commit petty crimes to obtain funds for gambling.
- The more “yes” answers you give to questions about loss of control, the greater your risk of addiction.
On the Psychomedic or Responsible Gambling websites, you can find a text that will help you identify whether you have a gambling addiction.
How to gamble responsibly?
To avoid turning entertainment into addiction, we recommend following a few key rules:
- Set a budget and time limits. Decide how much money and time you can spend on gambling and never exceed these limits. It is worth calculating whether your casino expenses have become too significant a part of your household budget.
- Treat gaming as a hobby, not a source of income.
- Take regular breaks and plan other activities, spend time with family and friends.
- Do not play when you are emotional, under the influence of alcohol, or stressed.
- Be transparent with your family and friends about your activities.
- Find alternative sources of excitement and entertainment. This could be sports, a new hobby, volunteering, meditation, or returning to old passions.
The most important thing to remember is that gambling is safe when you play in moderation. If you are unsure whether you are playing too much, try keeping a log of your gaming sessions. This will help you see how many hours a week you spend on games of chance.
Preventive tools
Most reputable operators offer tools to help you stay in control. The key tools available to players are:
- Deposit and loss limits: These help you manage your finances.
- Time limits: These limit the amount of time you spend on the platform.
- Game history: Allows you to track your own behavior and spending.
- Self-exclusion options: This feature allows you to temporarily or permanently reject entertainment if your activity becomes harmful. In the case of self-exclusion, access to the game is not unlocked, even at the user’s request.
We recommend using these features even if you don’t feel the need to use them at the moment – they help you maintain a healthy distance from the game.
How to use self-exclusion?
Self-exclusion is a feature that allows gamblers to reject entertainment. It can be activated at the express request of the user by contacting the casino staff:
- Log in to the online casino.
- Open a chat with support and write that you want to enable the self-exclusion options.
- Follow the instructions – they may ask you to send a request by email or tell you how to block access to your account from the Settings.
Self-exclusion can be temporary or permanent. Temporary exclusion periods usually last from 12 hours to several months. If the self-exclusion option is used, access to the game is not unlocked, even if the user changes their mind and contacts support.
Where to seek help? Support in Poland
If you or someone close to you is struggling with gambling problems, the most important thing is to recognize the problem and seek help as soon as possible. Addiction is a fully treatable problem. Below is a list of institutions and organizations offering help to people struggling with behavioral addictions:
- Helpline for people with addiction: free, anonymous help. Phone: 800 100 100.
- Gamblers Anonymous Poland: a community based on mutual support. Meetings throughout the country and online. Website: www.anonimowihazardzisci.org.
- IPZ Addiction Treatment Clinic (Institute of Health Psychology): specialist treatment for behavioral addictions. Website: www.ipz.edu.pl.
- National Health Fund – addiction clinics: database of facilities offering assistance under the National Health Fund. Website: www.nfz.gov.pl.
- Ministry of Health – “Gambling? Don’t get sucked in!” campaign: educational materials and information about the risks of gambling. Website:www.gov.pl/web/zdrowie/hazard .
In Poland, assistance in combating addiction is also offered by university hospitals, which provide consultations, counseling, and outpatient and inpatient programs:
- University Hospital in Krakow.
- University Clinical Center in Gdańsk.
- Anton Jurasz University Hospital No. 1 in Bydgoszcz.
For those seeking international support or independent methods of coping with addiction, organizations such as BeGambleAware, GamCare (offering discretion and a 24-hour helpline), and Problem Gambling are also available. If you suspect that a loved one is having suicidal thoughts related to gambling, it is worth contacting Befrienders Worldwide.