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.
https://www.casinomeister.com/quit-gambling/

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...

 

[thetest32]

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.

 

[misskimber]

The casinos were Grand Hotel and Club World/Aladdins Gold. The latter let me log on and play a couple of times AFTER I asked to be deleted...and they told me that I HAD been deleted as per my request and could not explain why I could still login? Was told that "management" would get back to me. This was weeks ago...pretty safe to say they have nothing to say. And I fear that if I were to download the casino again I WOULD be able to login.

Anyway...they at least deserve a cyber whoop for their errant disregard for people who implore them to have their accounts locked for their own good.

 

[Casinomeister]

The casinos were Grand Hotel and Club World/Aladdins Gold. The latter let me log on and play a couple of times AFTER I asked to be deleted...and they told me that I HAD been deleted as per my request and could not explain why I could still login? Was told that "management" would get back to me. This was weeks ago...pretty safe to say they have nothing to say. And I fear that if I were to download the casino again I WOULD be able to login.

Anyway...they at least deserve a cyber whoop for their errant disregard for people who implore them to have their accounts locked for their own good.

I'll contact the appropriate parties and have them check out your account to see what happened.

 

[same_old]

I'll contact the appropriate parties and have them check out your account to see what happened.

Bryan I have been trying to find that thread that was started a while back where everyone contributed on what they do if they are not gambling etc.
Had some really good posts in there that may help Kimber divert his attention.

I dont suppose you have that handy

 

[Casinomeister]

Bryan I have been trying to find that thread that was started a while back where everyone contributed on what they do if they are not gambling etc.
Had some really good posts in there that may help Kimber divert his attention.

I dont suppose you have that handy

Easy - just do a search on Gamblock

These are two must reads for anyone in the gambling business: player, affiliate, marketer or operator.
https://www.casinomeister.com/forums/threads/made-myself-violently-ill.30252/
https://www.casinomeister.com/forums/threads/this-sick-hobby-warning-quitting-gambling-rant.15090/

 

[clubworld]

Hi mskimber,

I have been unable to locate your account on our systems so I am afraid I cant be specific as to what happened here, please can you send me your username by PM so i can look into this for you.

As with all changes to our player's accounts we do require the request in writing, this is so we can be sure that the request is actually coming from the account holder.

Once the request is submitted our procedure is based on the reason stated - if the email mentions problem gambling, excessive debts, lack of self control etc then the account is immediately deactivated. If the email mentions bad luck, poor service or just says 'close my account' then the request is picked up by my retention team who will attempt to resolve the problem.

We do take this aspect of the business very seriously and so I am keen to get to the bottom of this one and make any changes required to prevent it from happening again.

Kind Regards
Tom

 

[MiniVegasGroup]

The casinos were Grand Hotel and Club World/Aladdins Gold. The latter let me log on and play a couple of times AFTER I asked to be deleted...and they told me that I HAD been deleted as per my request and could not explain why I could still login? Was told that "management" would get back to me. This was weeks ago...pretty safe to say they have nothing to say. And I fear that if I were to download the casino again I WOULD be able to login.

Anyway...they at least deserve a cyber whoop for their errant disregard for people who implore them to have their accounts locked for their own good.

Hi Misskimber
could you please send me a private message with your Grand Hotel account details?We are very sensitive to this sort of issues and we follow a very strict procedure whenever we are pointed towards problem gambling with one of our players.
We literally lock the claimant account immediately and follow up the matter according to eCOGRA's straight-forward guidelines in regards to such issues.
PLease contact me privately at your earliest convenience, I am looking forward to investigating this case without any further waste of time and take any necessary action to identify the problem and ensure it never, ever happens again.
I thank you in advance for your cooperation.

Mike.

 

[pinsnpies]

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!

I totally agree. You need willpower to stop. If I wanted to stop Gamblock would be uselees for me as I know a simple workaround. Closing accounts at every casino online will be a real pain.

 

[kenneth2816]

Hope no one thinks the following is an attempt to come off as "special".

I know addictions. Gambling addiction can be very powerful and instantly destructive. By definition an addiction is a relationship with a mood or mind altering experience whereby the loss of control of the rate and frequency has occured resulting in "life damaging" consequences.

The addiction is not in the activity, subtance or experience, but in the person. Addiction is not a moral defect of character nor is it a sign of weakness. Some of the strongest people I've ever met were addicts, once.

Without judgement and without harshness, attempting to block the "supply" in an attempt to control the compulsion has rarely worked, and though I applaud the industry's sensitivity to this issue, the total responsibility rests with the addict alone.

Recovery is different for each person as the motives to indulge are different for each person. But only that person can say if they are a gambling addict. if I say I am a gambling addict, I acknowledge my powerlessness over it.

There is an old axiom among addicts of all kinds:

One is too many and a thousand never enough.

There is also no quick fix for any real addiction, sorry to say. The only tenable solution is total abstinence. This is a hard concept for many.

I admire the ability to openly admit, but I balk at any attempt to hold liable other than self for the "problem". Addicts are not victims anymore than they do what they do intentionally. In other words, there simply IS no external fix.

Gambling establishments do not intentionally market a predatory commodity. Evidence of this can be seen by the vast majority who know when to stop.

But to an addict, there is this constant (but not irreversable) dual process of both blame and denial. No one else is or can be responsible for recovery but self.

In my opinion, asking for an account to be closed in order to curb my addiction is like e-mailing Hostess and asking them not to sell Twinkies within a hundred miles of my house.

All the best...............

 

[love2winalot]

Hiya: You could always just get rid of your PC. Or, let your wife/family take control of it, and make you a secondary user so you are not able to download any Casino software.

Then there is the old fasion way. Get paid, pay your rent first, pay your electric/gas bill second. Go to store and buy food for 2 weeks, or until next payday, and after this, ENEN IF YOU GAMBLE, AND LOSE, you still have a roof over your head, and food to eat.

There is also another method. You get paid. You cash your check. You are using some method of getting the money out of your hand, and into the OnLine casino. Eliminate that method. There are many ways to do this, just pick one, and go with it.......

 

[livefree247]

Gambling addiction is the same thing as alcoholism, total abstinence is required.
like an alcoholic one drink is two many and a thousand is never enough, "one bet is two many and a thousand bets is never enough"

This a progressive disease that only gets worse... and there's no such thing as "a cooling off break" its a matter of have you done enough self destruction to yourself and your family to really quit. closing your casino accounts is just putting a band aid on the problem.
The solution is you need some kind of support group.
if you cannot get hold of your disease which is all so powerful.... I would suggest.. you google your local Gamblers Anonymous, and try to find a meeting for new members, and go. bring a friend or your spouse for support, you can't do this alone....you need people around you that know what your going through and understand that it has nothing to do with willpower, and that your powerless over gambling. and once you start, you cannot stop.

 

[metaxa]

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.

this doesn't works at MG Casinos. The software blocks your account after 3 false password entries only for a couple of hours or less. It's shortly after that open again.

I'm a VIP at two MGs. Both are fully Ecrogra accredited and advertise with the Label. I thought, I ask for monthly deposit limits to manage my spending better. It's an eGAP requirement to offer those limits.

Lucky Nugget, Bellerock Group, acted very quickly and they set the deposit
limit as I wished within a day. Kudos to them.

The other casino said something like "Sorry, we don't have this facility." So either its a liar or they really don't have it, what would be against the Ecogra rules. So far I thought, its a standard facility at all MG Casinos, might be that I'm wrong.

 

[silcnlayc]

Honestly within oneself is the only way you can stop. Many of us have chosen to modify our behaviour by different means as the CM has posted in the front of his site, because in reality, many of us do NOT want to quit gambling, just lessen the damage it incurs.

Going cold turkey is definitely the only way to go if you really want to stop, but this is where honesty must come in within yourself. If you continue to open accounts after closing many, then you really do not want to quit, otherwise you would have gone "cold turkey" like I said.

the total responsibility rests with the addict alone.

I agree with this totally. Be truthful with yourself. Then look for ways to either quit or modify your behaviour. That is a start and has worked for many of us. I too, came from a compulsive gambling environment and I too have these tendencies, but I choose to modify it instead of quitting completely because I enjoy it too much to give it up completely.

Hopefully you will read through our trials and tribulations posted with gambling addictions and learn about yourself from this.

No one can fix you except yourself. Good luck!

.

 

[misskimber]

Hope no one thinks the following is an attempt to come off as "special".

I know addictions. Gambling addiction can be very powerful and instantly destructive. By definition an addiction is a relationship with a mood or mind altering experience whereby the loss of control of the rate and frequency has occured resulting in "life damaging" consequences.

The addiction is not in the activity, subtance or experience, but in the person. Addiction is not a moral defect of character nor is it a sign of weakness. Some of the strongest people I've ever met were addicts, once.

Without judgement and without harshness, attempting to block the "supply" in an attempt to control the compulsion has rarely worked, and though I applaud the industry's sensitivity to this issue, the total responsibility rests with the addict alone.

Recovery is different for each person as the motives to indulge are different for each person. But only that person can say if they are a gambling addict. if I say I am a gambling addict, I acknowledge my powerlessness over it.

There is an old axiom among addicts of all kinds:

One is too many and a thousand never enough.

There is also no quick fix for any real addiction, sorry to say. The only tenable solution is total abstinence. This is a hard concept for many.

I admire the ability to openly admit, but I balk at any attempt to hold liable other than self for the "problem". Addicts are not victims anymore than they do what they do intentionally. In other words, there simply IS no external fix.

Gambling establishments do not intentionally market a predatory commodity. Evidence of this can be seen by the vast majority who know when to stop.

But to an addict, there is this constant (but not irreversable) dual process of both blame and denial. No one else is or can be responsible for recovery but self.

In my opinion, asking for an account to be closed in order to curb my addiction is like e-mailing Hostess and asking them not to sell Twinkies within a hundred miles of my house.

All the best...............

Frankly, this sort of reeks of "kicking a person when they are down" syndrome. Great for you...you can control your gambling. Telling me and/or people who HAVE a problem with it however, that we just need to take personal responsibility for our actions is a completely moot/mute effort. I KNOW that already..and frankly don't need you reiterating it. But, hey. You got NOMINATED. Bravo. I'm sure it made your day! You're big man on campus.. Don't dislocate yer shoulder patting yourself on the back, there...

Anyway, just wanted to say that the reps at both casinos have been very diligent with the situation. As I said at the interim and since...I only hold MYSELF responsible and know I am the only one who can fix this problem I have. My beef is and was the fact that I very succintly asked for my accounts to be locked--as I was a danger to MYSELF--and they were not, at least not immediately. If I was staggering in a bar and begged the bartender to cut me off, I would hope he would. If I had a pill popping problem and begged the doctor to stop giving them to me I would hope he would. This is the only point I am making here, or was making in even bothering to post about it. That and just trying to set a precedent of sorts, like there is no going back now...I've outed myself, at least in my own head.

That said, I believe that the casino shortcomings were more due to errant reps handling the situation at the time and NOT the casino's themselves.

 

[silcnlayc]

like there is no going back now...I've outed myself, at least in my own head.

That is definitely a start. Now to find a way to go about what will actually work for you. Total abstinence, or behaviour modification. Hopefully you will learn this soon, but whatever you find that works for you, you can always come here for support.

Many of us have been or are there, at the stage you are at. This forum has helped many to see what it is that helps to keep one from self destruction

.

 

[vinylweatherman]

Hope no one thinks the following is an attempt to come off as "special".

I know addictions. Gambling addiction can be very powerful and instantly destructive. By definition an addiction is a relationship with a mood or mind altering experience whereby the loss of control of the rate and frequency has occured resulting in "life damaging" consequences.

The addiction is not in the activity, subtance or experience, but in the person. Addiction is not a moral defect of character nor is it a sign of weakness. Some of the strongest people I've ever met were addicts, once.

Without judgement and without harshness, attempting to block the "supply" in an attempt to control the compulsion has rarely worked, and though I applaud the industry's sensitivity to this issue, the total responsibility rests with the addict alone.

Recovery is different for each person as the motives to indulge are different for each person. But only that person can say if they are a gambling addict. if I say I am a gambling addict, I acknowledge my powerlessness over it.

There is an old axiom among addicts of all kinds:

One is too many and a thousand never enough.

There is also no quick fix for any real addiction, sorry to say. The only tenable solution is total abstinence. This is a hard concept for many.

I admire the ability to openly admit, but I balk at any attempt to hold liable other than self for the "problem". Addicts are not victims anymore than they do what they do intentionally. In other words, there simply IS no external fix.

Gambling establishments do not intentionally market a predatory commodity. Evidence of this can be seen by the vast majority who know when to stop.

But to an addict, there is this constant (but not irreversable) dual process of both blame and denial. No one else is or can be responsible for recovery but self.

In my opinion, asking for an account to be closed in order to curb my addiction is like e-mailing Hostess and asking them not to sell Twinkies within a hundred miles of my house.

All the best...............

If an alcoholic "outed" themselves to those around them, they would expect support and understanding. They would NOT expect those around them to keep offering to buy them a drink. This, however, is similar to what those casinos that send further offers to a player that has asked for their account to be closed are doing.

If an alcoholic knew the landlord of his local pub well, by name, and the landlord knew the alcoholic by name, where he lived, etc - and the alcoholic begged the landlord never to serve him another drink no matter what; would you expect the landlord to serve the alcoholic the next time he came in and asked for hard liquor (or even soft liquor). This is similar to the situation when a casino reopens (or fails to close) the account of a compulsive gambler on request, or who allows them to play the next time they try.

The ONLY situation in which it is unreasonable for the alcoholic to expect assistance is if they went to a pub where no-one knew them, and started drinking. This is similar to where the compulsive gambler opens new accounts at casinos that have nothing on record indicating the player is a compulsive gambler, here, it is not reasonable to expect the casino to "just know".

However, both the pub trade and online casinos can increase the level of support they offer to addicts by operating a shared self-exclusion database. Rather than asking individual pubs (or casinos), the addict enters themselves on the exclusion database. This will allow the industries to give the best help they can, and make it far harder for the addict to indulge themselves with "just the one", which invariably leads to "just as before".

The addict is left with the responsibility to cooperate with the help they are being given, confident that if they have a moment of weakness, there will most likely be someone around who can help, rather than supply.