Playing Poker Responsibly

Just like any of our other vices, online gambling can get very addicting, very quickly. It’s important to make sure that your online gaming doesn’t get out of control. It may be fun for awhile, but when you can’t make your mortgage payment because you’ve dumped too much money into your online poker account; it’s time to think about holding back and seeking some help.

There are a number of resources out there to help with gambling addictions. We don’t have a preference for one over another. The important part is to seek help if your gambling gets out of control. You may want to check out some of the following resources:

The Responsible Gambling Council can be found at http://www.responsiblegambling.org/. Their mission statement is straight forward: The RCG is a non-profit organization that works with individuals and communities to address gambling in a healthy and responsible way. The council undertakes research and public awareness programs designed to prevent gambling-related problems.

Probably the most well-know organization for gambling problems is Gambler’s Anonymous. The operate much on the premise of Alcoholics Anonymous and can be found online at http://www.gamblersanonymous.org/.

The following comes directly from their website. GAMBLERS ANONYMOUS is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from a gambling problem.

The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop gambling. There are no dues or fees for Gamblers Anonymous membership; we are self-supporting through our own contributions. Gamblers Anonymous is not allied with any sect, denomination, politics, organization or institution; does not wish to engage in any controversy; neither endorses nor opposes any cause. Our primary purpose is to stop gambling and to help other compulsive gamblers do the same.

Most of us have been unwilling to admit we were real problem gamblers. No one likes to think they are different from their fellows. Therefore, it is not surprising that our gambling careers have been characterized by countless vain attempts to prove we could gamble like other people. The idea that somehow, some day, we will control our gambling is the great obsession of every compulsive gambler. The persistence of this illusion is astonishing. Many pursue it into the gates of prison, insanity or death.

We learned we had to concede fully to our innermost selves that we are compulsive gamblers. This is the first step in our recovery. With reference to gambling, the delusion that we are like other people, or presently may be, has to be smashed.

We have lost the ability to control our gambling. We know that no real compulsive gambler ever regains control. All of us felt at times we were regaining control, but such intervals - usually brief -were inevitably followed by still less control, which led in time to pitiful and incomprehensible demoralization.

We are convinced that gamblers of our type are in the grip of a progressive illness. Over any considerable period of time we get worse, never better. Therefore, in order to lead normal happy lives, we try to practice to the best of our ability, certain principles in our daily affairs.

Finally, don’t hesitate to contact your family physician or call a local therapist if you think you might have a gambling problem. The main thing is to know that you have a problem and that you need to seek out resources to control that problem. It’s nothing to be ashamed of. The main thing to keep in mind is that it needs to be brought under control before serious damage is done