Struggling with Gambling Addiction? Support is Available.
If you or someone you know is battling gambling addiction, contact the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) or Gamblers Anonymous. For immediate support call 1-800-GAMBLER.
Understanding the Impact of Problem Gambling
Recognizing that someone you deeply care about is facing gambling issues can be a distressing realization.
Problem gambling is a profound concern that can affect individuals profoundly, making it a daunting challenge to confront alone. However, your support can be instrumental in their journey toward recovery. This guide aims to explore the avenues for providing effective support, recognizing signs of trouble, and initiating crucial conversations.
Identifying the Signs of Gambling Problems
Awareness is the first step in the process. There are several indicators that might suggest your loved one is struggling with gambling:
- Unexplained financial difficulties
- Increasing secrecy about activities
- Withdrawal from family and social life
- Uncharacteristic mood swings or irritability
- Loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities
Recognizing these signs early can pave the way for timely intervention and support.
Initiating Dialogue with Compassion and Understanding
Approaching someone about their gambling problem requires sensitivity, patience, and planning. Here are strategies to facilitate a constructive conversation:
- Seek Professional Guidance First: Before confronting your loved one, consider consulting with a professional. Numerous anonymous and specialized services are available, offering advice on approaching the subject safely and effectively.
- Prioritize Logic Over Emotion: Maintain a calm demeanor and focus on factual observations rather than emotional accusations. An emotional approach may provoke defensiveness, making it harder to engage in productive dialogue.
Steps to Take Following the Conversation
Post-discussion, it's crucial to foster an environment of support and patience:
- Express Appreciation: Acknowledge their openness to address the issue.
- Exercise Patience: Understand that change is a gradual process.
- Seek Support for Yourself: Engage with support networks for individuals in your situation to maintain your well-being.
- Safeguard Financial Health: Consider practical measures to protect your financial stability without fostering mistrust.
Ensuring Personal and Financial Safety
The adage of securing your oxygen mask first aptly applies here. Prioritizing your safety and well-being is essential:
- Managing the Family Budget: Discuss and decide on budget management strategies that ensure the security of essential finances, possibly assuming responsibility for managing critical payments.
- Protect Your Savings: Implement safeguards to protect your financial resources, such as setting up separate bank accounts or changing access codes, to prevent potential financial harm.
The Role of Responsible Gambling
While addressing the challenges of gambling addiction, it's important to remember that gambling, when approached responsibly, can be a harmless entertainment activity.
Setting clear boundaries, choosing legal and reputable platforms, and utilizing available gambling control tools are key to maintaining a safe and enjoyable experience.
Conclusion
Supporting a loved one through gambling issues is a journey marked by challenges, requiring patience, understanding, and proactive measures to ensure both your well-being and theirs.
By recognizing the signs, engaging in open and compassionate dialogue, and taking steps to protect your mutual financial and emotional health, you can provide invaluable support, guiding your loved one towards a path of recovery while safeguarding your own well-being.
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Meet our Authors
Paruyr Shahbazyan
Paruyr Shahbazyan began his business career in 2000 as a private entrepreneur. Over thirteen years, he developed a deep understanding for business and leadership, laying a solid foundation for his professional journey.
In 2013, Paruyr stepped into the sports and betting industry as the founder and president of Bookmaker Rating. This online mass media platform, which he led until 2020, focused on providing in-depth analysis and insights in sports betting, earning a reputation for its quality content.
Continuing his innovative approach in 2022, Paruyr co-founded Azuro, a decentralized betting protocol. This venture showcases his dedication to integrating advanced technology in the evolving landscape of sports betting. Through these diverse experiences, Paruyr has continuously influenced and shaped the betting industry, driving new trends and setting high standards.
| Experience | Year |
| Engaged in private entrepreneurship | 2000-2013 |
| Founder and President at Bookmaker Rating, an online platform focused on sports and betting | 2013-2020 |
| Co-founder at Azuro, a decentralized betting protocol | 2022 |
"Innovation in sportsbetting comes from a deep understanding of both technology and the human element of sports."
- Paruyr Shahbazyan, Founder, RG
Principles and Ethics
Paruyr Shahbazyan's core beliefs lie in the power of informed decision-making and integrity in the betting industry. He understands that the foundation of successful betting is not just about odds and predictions, but also about the trust and reliability of the information provided. Paruyr advocates for a betting environment where transparency and knowledge are paramount, ensuring that bettors are well-equipped with accurate data and insights.
Strategic Vision
Paruyr's vision is to revolutionize the sports betting industry through the integration of technology. He sees the future of betting as a blend of traditional sports knowledge with innovative tech solutions, like decentralized protocols, to enhance user experience and fairness. His aim is to create platforms that are not only user-friendly but also uphold the highest standards of ethical betting, contributing to a more responsible and enjoyable betting culture.
Future Perspectives
Looking towards the future, Paruyr envisions a betting landscape that is more inclusive, technologically advanced, and globally connected. He anticipates a significant shift towards more decentralized and transparent betting systems, driven by blockchain technology. Paruyr is committed to being at the forefront of this change, continuously exploring new possibilities and innovations that can redefine what it means to engage in sports betting in a digital world. His focus is on building systems that prioritize user empowerment, fairness, and the global growth of the sports betting community.
Sol Fayerman-Hansen
Sol has over 20 years of experience in writing for diverse industries including sports, gambling, regulation, technology, and startups. As the Editor-in-Chief at RG, Sol brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the role, focusing on delivering transparent, evidence-based content grounded in thorough research. Sol's mission is to empower readers to enjoy gambling responsibly and make informed decisions, enhancing their overall experience through insightful and engaging content. Under Sol's leadership, RG prioritizes the highest standards of integrity and reliability, ensuring that all information provided is accurate and trustworthy. Sol's dedication to transparency and research-based writing helps create a responsible gambling environment where readers can truly benefit from the content. This commitment to excellence has positioned RG as a leading source of information in the gambling industry.
Experience:
- Over 20 years in writing and editing across multiple industries
- Former head of regional innovation at BMO Financial Group
- Senior Writer, Online Casino Reports
Cristina Varela Galan
Cristina used to work as a Psychology Assistant in the Bizkaia Pathological and Risky Gamblers Association. She was also part of a research team in Deusto University, specializing in pathological gambling area. While working there, she managed to develop her own project
“Exploring the association between emotional regulation, alexithymia, stressful life events and gambling in adolescent and young adult women”.
Nick Ashbourne
Nick has been fascinated with sports since he was first taken to a Toronto Maple Leafs game back in 1998, and he's written about them professionally since 2014.
Nick has covered baseball and hockey for outlets like The Athletic, Sportsnet, and Yahoo Sports, and his sports betting expertise has grown since its legalization in Ontario in 2022.
Between 2022 and 2023 he worked for a betting startup called NorthStar Bets, and in 2024 he contributed to Oddspedia before joining the Responsible Gambler team.
Sergey Demidov
Sergey has been in sports journalism since 2007 as a reporter, editor, and manager. He has covered the Olympic Games, soccer World Cups, the World Cup of Hockey in 2016, the European championships, the Stanley Cup Finals, IOC events, and many others. Sergey interviewed the sport's greatest athletes, coaches, and executives. Since 2016, he has been an Independent Senior Editor of NHL.com/ru.
Anna Kravtcova
Ph.D. in organizational psychology, an internationally certified psychologist (EuroPsy 2022, Cognitive behavioural therapy of mindfulness 2020, International Society for Emotional Intelligence 2017, Russian Psychological society 2014, American Psychological Association(Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychologist) 2011), speaker of many international conferences (USA, Brazil, Portugal, Czech Republic, Russia, etc.). TEDx speaker.
