What is responsible gambling?

[Bruce]

There is a lot of debate about whether or not gambling can ever be responsible so I thought maybe we could discuss it here.
Some people will disagree with me and that is fine. We are all entitled to a view and GamTalk is all about expressing and sharing our views (as long as we don't deliberatley upset anyone).

So here is my position. I am not for or against gambling. I think that whether we like it or not gambling it is here to stay for the following reasons:

1) A lot of people like to gamble and governments make a lot of tax money from gambling. So it's unlikely to ever get banned.
2) If gambling did get banned then it would go underground and be run by criminals who would not care one bit about their customer's welfare
3) Most people who gamble do not develop a gambling problem. A significant minority do develop problems, and that needs to be addressed.

Therefore, gambling isn't going away. Consequently, what matters is that gambling operators conduct their business in a responsible way to minimise harm to those who are unfortunate enought to develop a problem. Also it is important that gambling revenues are used to fund research to better understand how gambling problems develop, and that adequate money is provided for treatment services.

Responsible gambling should mean that everyone concerned takes some responsibility. The player must try to play moderately. The gambling operator should offer fair games and try to help people who start to get into trouble. The government should ensure there are sufficient support services to help people who develop problems, and ensure that the gambling operators are fair to their players.

Of course, the devil is in the details and how much help and support is offered is very much open for debate.

Bruce

[ausia]

When I first quit gambling, I wanted it banned. Then I realized that I did not have the same thoughts about alcohol. The problem isn't whether or not gambling is legal. The problem is whether or not I choose to gamble. I moved past responsible gambling a long time ago.

Gambling is like alcohol, not everyone has a problem with it. I need to remember that for me to be a responsible gambler means to not gamble at all.

[Isia]

First of all - it must be AWERNESS about compulsive gambling– it is easy to say:
“The player must try to play moderately”(Bruce)

I was trying to play moderately. I really did. Till the moment I have lost the ability to control my gambling.
“…Once a person has crossed the invisible line into irresponsible uncontrolled gambling he or she never seems to regain control. After abstaining a few months some of our members have tried some small bet experimentation, always with disastrous results. The old obsession inevitably returned…”
http://www.coloradoga.org/literature.php?op=3

"Therefore, gambling isn't going away"(Bruce)

Gambling was before Jesus was born, it is and it will be forever – my GA Sponsor used to say this one to me when I was angry at gaming industry –with all the respect naturally.

Here we are:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IFNJ-YdBH4c

Therefore, gambling isn't going away -we all now that
http://www.underthepier.com/16_fruit_machine.htm

Isia in Poland

to be continued...

[Lemonela]

Bruce,

imagine you tell an alcoholic :"You can drink alcohol, but do it moderately"
or
to tell junkie :"You can use drugs, but do it moderately".

When you CAN do something moderately, than you don't have problem with adiction, right?

Gambling adiction = you CAN'T (or no able to) gamble moderately.

So, I think "Responsible gambling" is maybe OK as a concept of prevention, but doesn't work for someone who is "in hell of adiction problems" already...
Like Isia, everytime I try to gamble moderately, I was just swamping deeply and deeply...

[Lemonela]

Originally Posted by Bruce

I am not for or against gambling.

I am against everything that can cause problems to other person, in the name of profit.

[johnny26]

For me responsible gambling is to knowing one's limit.

[ktya]

A1 man.

Its one thing for a few friends to get together and play a game of poker or bet on the sports game.

But when you have a 200,000 square foot facility built for people to gamble where all the odds are rediculously in favor of the house, legitimized by the government, thats just total bullcrap.

I am all for some wing nut bombing casinos. If someone actually does it I will cheer them on. Bring on the propane and oxygen tanks.

To heck with terrorism in other countries. We've got plenty of reasons for it right here at home.

If you too the amount of money casinos have irresponsibly screwed people out of by not stopping them once they hit a reasonable limit ( like $250, $500, $1000 in a DAY) you'd probably have like $100,000,000 a year in totally immoral profits.

Firebomb them. If its too expensive to keep the building operational they will shut down.

[ShaunGTI]

That actual idea has crossed my mind many times after a big loss. If its going to be legal it should be privatized with a board set up etc... like Nevada, that way we can enforce our rules and make our money back at the same time!

[gamblingjones]

If the government don't want to regulate online gambling because they are worried about compulsive gambling, I think they are wrong. There is nothing they can do about those persons who are now gambling addicts. If they regulate those online gambling sites they will benefit from them and get big sum of tax money. They may use those money to somehow control or limit those gambling addicts by imposing rules on the licensed online casinos. They may also block those offshore online casinos so the locals can only access sites licensed by their state. It sound impossible but I think they can do it. Responsible gambling is also a responsiblity of the government and the gambling industry.

[Colin]

Responsible gambling is gambling done by someone who wouldn't answer "yes" to any of the GA 20 questions. Please note that if you feel the need to look at a site like this one then responsible gambling is unlikely to be something you are capable of.