Strategies for Maintaining Mental Health in the World of Gambling
About 3% of Canadians are recorded to have developed a gambling addiction. While this percentage appears small, it represents around one million Canadian players with an excessive tendency to overdo online casino betting. For many of them, failing to see the connection between gambling addiction and mental health is a major issue.
Compulsive gambling, if left unchecked, can exacerbate some already existing mental health issues. These mental triggers include low self-esteem, stress, anxiety, and depression, all of which can only get worse once gambling becomes a problem. As you continue reading, you'll be presented with everything you need to know about the effects of gambling on mental health and the strategies for managing it.
Gambling and Mental Health in Canada
Not everyone who gambles excessively in Canada is alike, nor are they faced with the same problems. Online casinos, both new and old, licensed or unlicensed, are patronized by hundreds of people from all age groups, income groups, cultures, and jobs. While some will develop mental health-related gambling problems suddenly, others may take several years.
Like alcohol and drugs, gambling can become an addiction if it's engaged in compulsively and starts to feel out of control. Some casino games like slot machines which you will find a lot of at online gambling venues like Slots City Casino CA, tend to make one feel good about gambling. Although there are no visible signs to indicate when this will start becoming an issue, there are common ways to tell when the flashing lights of slot machines or other casino games are beginning to affect mental health.
Emotional Signs
The player:
- Always seems anxious and has difficulty paying attention.
- Appears depressed or even suicidal.
- Expresses sudden outbursts of anger or has occasional mood swings.
Behavioural Signs
The player:
- Develops new attitudes and withdraws from friends and family.
- Seems less concerned about their self-care and can go long periods without grooming.
- Changed their sleeping, eating, and even sexual patterns.
- Spends more time online and is often late to school or work.
Financial Signs
The player:
- Lies or steals to get money to gamble with.
- Frequently borrows money.
- Alternates between being broke and then suddenly having a lot.
- Has people around complaining about missing valuables or money.
Health Signs
The player:
- Complains of recurrent headaches.
- Has difficulty getting sleep.
- Starts overeating or loses appetite totally.
Managing Mental Health – Resources and Strategies
At SlotsCity Online Casino CA, we take responsible gambling very seriously, and although we want guests to spin more of our slot machines, we always advise moderation. Players in Canada who previously had a mental health challenge are more at risk of developing harmful gambling practices. For this reason, our responsible gambling (RG) tools are seamlessly integrated into all our slot machines and table games at Slots City Casino, CA.
In Canada, while it is expected that online casinos with a proper license adhere to responsible gaming policies, much of the responsibility falls on the players themselves. Highlighted below are some of the practical ways you can safeguard your mental health in the world of online casino gambling.
- Set Limits
Establishing personal boundaries is a great way to stay in control of your mental health. One very effective way to do this is by setting and sticking to RG limits – time limits, loss limits, and deposit limits. The time limit tool helps regulate the amount of time spent gambling at an online casino, especially for new players. Deposit and loss limits are particularly effective at preventing compulsive gamblers from spending or losing too much money on slots or other casino games within a certain time frame.
- Bankroll Management
The whole concept of online casino gambling in Canada and anywhere else is winning or losing money. Being able to effectively manage your finances helps in alleviating the stress and anxiety that can come with gambling. Well-established casinos and even new ones in the Canadian market, like SlotsCity Online CA, often incorporate a max bet or wager limit feature to help players budget wisely. While wager limits help control how much can be wagered on casino games over a certain period, max bet limits control the amount of money that can be bet on a single game, round, or spin on slot machines.
- Self-awareness
The practice of self-awareness will help you to stay in tune with your emotions and behaviours while gambling. One way to implement this is by paying close attention to how you feel before, during, and after playing slot machines or some other casino games. Being able to recognize if you're stressed, anxious, or excited can help you understand how online casino gambling is impacting your overall mental well-being.
- Professional Assistance
Gambling-related problems are more common than you would expect, so the Canadian government has made it a key issue that must be tackled professionally. Reaching out to qualified counsellors can help you gain a better understanding of gambling behaviours. Furthermore, you can be taught how to develop better coping mechanisms and healthier ways to deal with anxiety or other emotional issues.
Important Information
Not a lot of people are comfortable talking about their mental health challenges and gambling-related problems. So, if you're not yet comfortable letting another person know about it, you can usually find responsible gaming tools in your account settings or by contacting customer support at your online casino. Also, ensure you only play games on licensed platforms, as these resources are readily available in adherence to government regulations in Canada.