Gambling Awareness Day!
14th October, 2009
Starting from this year October 19th is going to be set aside as a date to reflect upon responsible gambling. This is going to become an important date in the diaries for bingo officials making sure that everyone involved in the game is playing responsibly.
The bingo association and the gaming industry as a whole are working hard to increase awareness of the date which will be from posters in bingo halls, site banners to local and national events. They’re really approaching it from all angles with mass media coverage expected from the events.
All of this is combined with guest speakers and information packs so that the bingo players themselves can be part of the campaign. A frequently help perception of bingo both online and in the halls is that it’s a ‘soft’ version of gambling. Once addiction takes its hold, players could risk falling into debt just as much as other forms of gambling.
So what can you do to keep your online bingo games as fun as first intended? Set yourself a budget. A sensible approach to the game with clear boundaries means that you won’t stretch your finances. So plan your budget carefully as it’s oh so easy to get a little carried away!
If you do see your money running away with itself, ask for help. There are lots of support groups out there for people who are having a bit of trouble controlling their gaming habits. Big names such as GamCare and Gamble Aware are the best places to go for help with help lines available too. Both groups offer different styles of help, for example GamCare offers live online counseling whilst if you’re not quite sure if you have a problem you can fill out Gamble Aware’s online questionnaire if you’re worried to see how your gaming fares.
Another good tip is to look for seals of approval certificates on the bingo sites you want to play on. Big brands such as 888 ladies for example are approved for responsible behaviour and will always respond if you find you’re experiencing gambling difficulties whilst playing on their site.
Most bingo players are perfectly fine and play in a healthy manner so you shouldn’t be worried. It’s just nice to know that the help is there if you need it.
By Faye
