Playing slots in online casinos is certainly a nice pastime and is especially fun when you win a nice penny from time to time. However, it becomes dangerous if at some point you develop an addiction problem and can no longer stop playing. Here you can find out what you can do if gambling has become an addiction for you.

When gambling becomes an addiction

The times when you could only gamble in stationary gambling halls are unfortunately long gone. Online casinos have many practical advantages, but the games they offer are also available around the clock - without having to leave the house. Convenient deposit options such as credit card or PayPal, for which money does not necessarily have to be available in their own bank account, also contribute to the fact that many players quickly lose track of their expenses and deposit significantly more money than is actually available to them. However, it gets really dangerous when you as a player can no longer escape the colorful casino world and play one game after the other. If the stake is gone, the next round will certainly bring a profit - or the next, or the following one.

The hope of a huge win is always in the back of the player's mind and at some point you just have to be lucky. Anyone who thinks this way has unfortunately already stepped one foot into the gambling trap. And it gets tighter over time. In the hunt for the big winnings, some players gamble away their entire monthly income, but often cannot stop depositing more money. Always in the hope that previous losses could be recovered. In particularly serious cases, gamblers feel like they are playing around the clock in the online casino or are looking for ongoing soccer games on which they can place a quick bet. It is not uncommon for family and friends to be neglected. However, while family members notice what is going on relatively quickly, the person concerned often only realizes very late or not at all - or simply suppresses their problem.

Gambling Addiction: A Recognized Disease

Gambling addiction should by no means be underestimated, because it is not a small problem that can be easily eliminated. It is not for nothing that it is now officially recognized by the health insurances as a disease with the designation "pathological (pathological) gambling". In 2018 alone, around 180.000 people within Germany suffered from recognized gambling addiction, and another 326.000 people also exhibited gambling behavior that could be classified as problematic. Experts now assume that more than half a million German citizens are acutely addicted to gambling. The associated number of unreported cases is likely to be significantly higher, however, since many players are understandably ashamed to seek help with their problem.

Am I already addicted to gambling myself?

If you think you may already be addicted to gambling, you should answer the following questions. Unfortunately, the more often you answer "yes" here, the greater your existing gambling problem.

• Do you occupy yourself very often or even constantly with games of chance of any kind in your mind?
• Do you spend several hours in an online casino every day?
• Do you pay in again after losses to make up for them?
• Are you gambling away more money than you actually have at your disposal?
• Do you consider gambling an important part of your life?
• Do you occasionally win larger amounts that you then gamble away?
• Are you shifting other leisure activities in favor of gambling?
• Have you ever lied to someone to hide your love of gambling?
• Do you think to yourself every now and then, "If only I hadn't invested so much money"?
• Have you ever borrowed money to play games of chance?
• Are you trying unsuccessfully to get away from gambling?
• Do lost games of chance trigger aggression, anger, sadness or even thoughts of suicide in you?

These options are available to you

Insight is the first step in the right direction. Even if you don't want to hear it: If you answered “yes” to just one of the questions listed above, you have gambling addiction. Do not suppress this thought, but do yourself a favor and act as soon as possible. Because only your firm will to really change something in your life can ultimately remove the problem from the world. A self-lock in the online casino is an important first step. Ideally, however, do not decide to take a week or a month off, but instead lock your accounts permanently. Otherwise the problem will start all over again.

From summer 2021, due to the introduction of the new State Treaty on Gaming in Germany, there will be a lock file in which you can enter your name. This contributes to the fact that from now on you will no longer be able to play in any online casino or betting provider. However, it is particularly important that you seek professional help with your problem gambling. That might sound embarrassing at first, but there are actually reputable contact points that deal with the subject of gambling addiction and provide you with important advice and assistance. If you wish, you can also be helped anonymously here and nobody is guaranteed to laugh at you. There is absolutely no reason to be ashamed because you are definitely not alone with this serious problem.

Finally, I have put together a couple of reputable advice centers for gambling addicts that you should just take a look at. Believe in yourself - you can do it!

www.spielsucht-therapie.de
www.blaues-kreuz.de
www.suchthotline.info
www.spielsucht.net
www.gluecksspielsucht.de