Gambling addiction and casino responsibility

[mskimber]

Just a vent here I guess. I have had a problem with online gambling for the past 4 years or so...have lost so much--money and otherwise.

I'm an adult and take full responsibility for my actions and the problems they have caused. I've controlled it over the years but at times it gets out of hand, as it has in recent months.

I eventually get to the breaking point and end up imploring whichever casino I have stumbled into to PLEASE disable my account..have a gambling problem, etc. They usually respond pretty quickly and cancel my account.

This solves it for the interim, till the next time. This last go round I have encountered a couple of casinos that either assure me that my account is locked and I cannot access it--but low and behold it never gets locked. I go in again, then ask them WHY was I even allowed to get in there? They always say it was a glitch, management will look into it and get back to me. Of course they never do...and I cave eventually and lose again.

Another casino, I begged and implored by email that I had a gambling addiction...to please cancel my account so I can't lose anymore. It took them a full day to respond and when they did were quite glib. Maybe I just needed a cooling down period?? In any event, if I wanted my account disabled I had to respond to them with mundane details or else they would not do it. Yeah, I caved and lost more of the rent money. THEN I sent them the details.

To the compulsive gambler, it only takes one split second to make a bad decision that has long winded repurcussions. As I said earlier, I take full responsibility for my actions. Yet...where do ethics come into play? Someone tells you they are sick and have a problem--the least you can do is not poor more arsenic down their throats.

Maybe I am naive...business is business and I have to find a way to deal with my sh*t. Yet--I just think "accredited" should also mean somewhat moral and ethical. Could be wrong--won't be the first time.

[Casinomeister]

Hi mskimber - I'm really sorry to hear of your woes.

Please read this section; hopefully this will give you some ideas and/or guidance on how to quit gambling.
http://www.casinomeister.com/quit_gambling.php

The casinos listed at Casinomeister are receptive to problem gambling and will ensure that those who claim to have gambling problems will be dealt with appropriately. I hope the problems you've had didn't stem from any of them. If so, I need to know about it.

[same_old]

HiKimber,

Firstly, really sorry to hear what you have been going through and please try to keep your head up.

I myself have taken a break for a year, I went to Casinomeister's quit gambling section and came across a program called "gamblock", I paid $70 for the program and it last for a year, I personally like the program and what it does.
It will not allow you to access ANY sports/casino/poker sites or even websites that have anything to do with this kind of stuff, even news articles realting to gamlbing cannot be accessed.
I took the break personally as I had my first child and had better things to do with my money, I love gambling and new I would have weak moments and that is the reason I went down that path.

I well and truly agree that the casino's you mentioned SHOULD have way better measures in place. The casino that stated a colling off period after you stated a gambling problem should be considered for the rogue pit.

here are some tips for you if tyou feel you have a weak moment, email casino's that you have not played at before and inform them you have a gambling problem, ask them to open a accoubnt for you then clsoe it for the reasons of being a problem gamlber and then close it again so if and when you do open a account there it will get flagged and hopefully close you down.
Another one is to change your passwords on all your accounts to something you wont remember, shut your eyes and type a heap of numbers in or something so when you do try and access it you will have that few minutes of grace and hopefully notcontact them for a new one.

But honestly the gamblock program is great and something you may want to look into.

Regards,

Same_old

[WonderingSpirit]

Its really annoying when some casinos refuse to close your account on request.

Happened to me at 32vegas. I asked for a closure several times, but they never closed my account. I uninstalled their casino, but it still bugs me that they have my account open.

[De Beuker]

The problem with locking accounts is that there are so many casino's, you'll always find one where you can create a new one if the little devil has broken your willpower again.
Gamblock can be a solution, but if you're good with computers, you'll find a workaround, but it is still a pretty steep hill to take.
Best thing to do is disable your internetconnection completely.
You really can live without internet, and if you really need to be on the net for something, visit friends, parents, family, neighbours..
It may seem to be very radical, but your problem asks for a radical approach I think.

Wish you all possible succes and even more strength!

[misskimber]

Thanks for the responses!

I actually installed Gamblock on our desktop last year and it works like a charm. That computer even SEES the words "casino" or "Vegas" and it shuts right down. Got a new laptop earlier this year and the old habits started again. Guess I will need to install Gamblock here also. How ridiculous is it that I am reluctant to spend 50 bucks on Gamblock, yet think nothing of using EWallet like an ATM machine?

It's just such a fine line--sometimes I can actually set a budget and stick to it, and online gambling can be fun. It always escalates, though and turns into a disaster. I've actually stayed away for years at a time but it never lasts. I ENJOY gambling, but can't control myself. It really s*cks!

The one casino that suggested a "cooling off" finally responded that all of my accounts with their group have been locked. Oi..lots of accounts there accumulated over the years. I KNOW it is not their responsibility to monitor me or stop me from gambling--but I DO feel they at least need to have some sort of concrete plan of action in place when a person practically begs them for assistance. It just makes it look like they are hoping to wrangle just another few deposits from you...

CM: Do you want me to forward the names of the casinos to you in private or is it okay to post them? Not sure the proper protocol.

Thanks again for just responding. I really just needed to see my words in front of me, to make this situation real and hopefully my decision..(okay, I really have no choice!) to stop gambling will stick this time. I like your idea, Same_Old, of just taking a scheduled break. I guess I still want to believe I can control it someday...

[benroles]

One thing I have noted is that many casinos have software that automatically locks an account after 3 wrong password attemptes - MG casinos do for sure. As such, if support are being off just dileberately keep entering the wrong password. After a few goes, bingo! The account is locked and you need to contact support to reopen it... obviously you can do this but it puts in place that much needed 'thinking space' before gambling again.

B.

[deltoid]

name and shame the casinos, please.

it's extremely bad on the casinos part, not just morally, but problem gamblers often charge back their losses, costing the casino. Completely foolish AND scummy to allow a problem gambler in!

[Simmo!]

Also worth mentioning deposit limits. Most casinos will set a weekly deposit limit if you ask. As far as fallbacks go, another good control is to open a bank account with no Internet banking and no cards. Get your salary paid in here, get your bills paid out. Keep your existing account as your day-to-day. You can only top it up by walking in and withdrawing from your main account.

Fallible of course, but again it adds to the time lapse and hopefully the gamblng urge will pass. And even if it doesn't, it makes it harder to chase your losses.

Oh and 3dice slot tournaments are a great way to beat the urge. They last for hours and cost a buck or 4 tops. I do these when i fancy a gamble often and it works as an alternative for me.

[slotplayer]

I stopped last feb and haven't bet a single dime online or in land casino since.
In that time since, I still had a free $50 chip in my points account and in a weak moment decided to play it. I re-installed the casino and logged in. Then it said your account is locked.

That error message reminded me I asked that my account be closed.

In retrospect, that was the best thing I ever did. In the moment that followed, my thinking cleared and the urge quickly passed. I've saved a boat load of money since then.

If they won't close your account, do the password sugggestion.