MAINTAINING CONTROL WHEN GAMBLING :Â
Whilst the majority of people can and do bet within their means, for some people gambling can become a problem.
It may help you to keep control by following these guidelines :
• Gambling should be entertaining and not seen as a way of making money
• You should set limits for deposits, stakes and losses before you start gambling
• Avoid chasing losses
• Only gamble what you can afford to lose
• Keep track of the time and amount you spend gambling
You need to be able to control your betting, and spend money that is ONLY set aside for entertainment betting.
If you feel that your gambling is out of control then please contact one of the appropriate organisations listed below.
• AUSTRALIA – Gambling Help
• CANADA – Responsible Gambling
• IRELAND – GambleAware
• UNITED KINGDOM – GamCare
• UNITED STATES – Gamblers Anonymous
LEGAL GAMBLING AGE :Â
The gambling age across the world varies greatly. In some countries and areas gambling is outlawed altogether, in others gambling is only legal for foreigners, while in other countries everyone is allowed to play but the gambling age requirement is not the same for citizens as for foreigners.
The most common gambling age across the globe is 18 years and more than 19% of western countries have this gambling age for casinos and physical establishments.
Generally speaking, there is a trend of countries and states lowering the gambling age to 18, from previous limits of 21 years. This trend has been going for quite some time and across large parts of the world.
It is definitely a good idea to spend 5-10 minutes online to verify the gambling age to avoid problems down the line.
Here is a list of some of the most popular countries that visit the GoonersGuide.
• Australia: 18 years
• Belgium: 21 years. All real world players must be members of private clubs.
• Bulgaria: 18 years
• Canada : British Columbia, Nova Scotia & Ontario: 19 years, Quebec: 18 years
• Denmark: 18 years
• Finland: 18 years
• France: 18 years (recently lowered from 21 years)
• Germany: 18 to 21 years. 12 of 16 States have 18 years, 4 have 21 years
• Greece: 23 years (significantly older than in most other countries)
• Italy: 18 years
• New Zealand: 20 years to enter or gamble in a casino
• Norway: 18 years
• Portugal: Portugal has a rather confusing system at home. The age limit is 21 or 25 depending on the casino. Foreigners over 18 years of age are however allowed to play at all casinos.
• Spain: 18 years
• Sweden: 18 years to play in a casino
• United Kingdom: 18 years
• United States: 18 to 21 years
INTERNET GAMBLING AND THE LAW :Â
Different countries have different rules for gambling and this means that the legality of gambling and especially internet gambling often turns into a complicated legal conundrum.
While most people know whether or not different types of gambling are legal in their home area, they often become quite confused when asked if online gambling is legal or if foreign sport books are allowed to operate within their country. This is especially true within the European Union where the laws of member states are not always in sync with EU regulation.
When it comes to online gambling, many countries have enacted restrictive laws and regimes, or monopoly licensing that limits gambling online. These laws have more to do with maximising tax revenues than opposiiton to gambling itself – which is encouraged through physical casinos, horse racing, and state run lotteries.
Registering to play online from an area where gambling or online gambling is illegal is seldom something that is going to get you into trouble in your native country (but this is no guarantee).
The government and its law enforcement agencies are more likely to chase those who arrange and run illegal gambling or illegally promote gambling in your country that to go after individual players.
Gambling individuals are rarely given any type of penalty. This is in no small part because those are the individuals the gambling bans are supposed to protect, the perceived victims. This is also why the government is more interested in catching those who arrange games than trying to punish individual gamblers.
DO YOU HAVE A PROBLEM WITH GAMBLING ?Â
If you are concerned that gambling may be having a negative impact on your (or someone else’s) life, then the following questions may help you identify an issue :
• Do you stay away from work, college or school to gamble?
• Do you gamble to escape from a boring or unhappy life?
• When gambling and you run out of money, do you feel lost and in despair and need to gamble again as soon as possible?
• Do you gamble until you lose all your money?
• Have you ever lied to cover up the amount of money or time you have spent gambling?
• Have others ever criticised your gambling?
• Have you lied, stolen or borrowed to maintain betting habits?
• Have you lost interest in your family, friends or hobbies?
• After losing, do you feel you must try and win back your losses as soon as possible?
• Do arguments, frustrations or disappointments make you want to gamble?
• Do you feel depressed or even suicidal because of your gambling?
IF you answer ‘yes’ to one or more question then you have to consider whether you have a serious gambling problem. To speak to someone about this, please contact one of the appropriate organisations listed below.
• AUSTRALIA – Gambling Help
• CANADA – Responsible Gambling
• IRELAND – GambleAware
• UNITED KINGDOM – GamCare
• UNITED STATES – Gamblers Anonymous
   Adults only. Don’t let gambling become a problem in your life. Check our responsible gambling page for more info.
