Addiction is a growing problem in modern society and it comes as no surprise, when you consider the temptations on offer to us all. From food to alcohol, play lottery and even shopping, many people have fallen foul of this modern day epidemic. If you factor in other influences like stress, anxiety, depression and bereavement, then these, along with a predisposition towards addiction, are the main reasons why this problem is now so widespread. The most common forms of all addiction are to alcohol and drugs, but gambling addiction is now hot on their heels.
Gambling and Society
There has always been gambling in societies and gambling dates back to Ancient civilizations. In fact, gambling addiction is nothing new, yet it is hitting the headlines more often than ever before and this has attracted the attention of MPs and charities. Already, the rise in gambling addiction has seen the government take action to stem the tide of victims it leaves behind. Fixed odds betting terminals have been hit with a £2 maximum bet limit and from April 2020, betting with credit cards will no longer be allowed.
The increase in gambling and gambling addiction can be traced back to 1996 when gambling went digital. This new format allowed the public easy access to online casinos and all the games they offered. This brought a boom in the numbers of people gambling and in 2005 the industry was given another boost, when Tony Blair’s Labour government passed the Gambling Act of 2005. This relaxed the gambling laws and now slots dominate the gambling industry and design houses are constantly releasing new titles to keep up with demand.
Signs Of Problems
Unfortunately, the popularity of slots has led to many gamblers being addicted to these games. Slots are entertaining and immersive and have the added temptation of offering punters jackpot wins. This has led to many individuals facing financial ruin as they continue to feed these slots their hard earned cash. There are warning signs that should not be ignored and these can help individuals come to terms with their addiction. Signs that you are getting addicted to online slot machines vary with each individual. However, common factors include the need to gamble with increasing amounts of money to get a rush.
Lying to conceal the fact that you are gambling and continuing to gamble even when you lose continuously, are also prominent symptoms. Spending hours online playing slot games, instead of completing chores or working, constantly thinking of gambling and ways to get money to pursue your addiction is also very common. Other symptoms of slot addiction include restlessness and irritability when not gambling. Anger that you cannot control your behavior and feelings of distress that accompanies financial problems are also frequently experienced.
A Helping Hand
Dealing with slot addiction on your own is not advisable. There are many charities that help those with addiction and they can help you discover the root cause of your slots addiction too. Counseling can also help, after all, a problem shared is a problem halved.
