SELF ASSESSMENT TOOLS
Compulsive gambling, like drug addiction and alcoholism, creates increasingly unmanageable life issues for the gambler and his/her family.
An invisible line separates the majority of individuals who gamble recreationally from the small minority who cannot.
HAVE YOU CROSSED THE LINE?
Only you can decide!
Ask yourself THE INVISIBLE LINE questions below...
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.
ARE YOU A COMPULSIVE GAMBLER?
Only you can decide!
Ask yourself the GA 20 Questions below...
Gam-Anon is a fellowship of men and women whose lives have been affected by the gambling of a loved one or family member.
ARE YOU LIVING WITH A COMPULSIVE GAMBLER?
Only you can decide!
SUGGESTED "RULES" OF RESPONSIBLE GAMBLING
PLAY IT SAFE, BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE
TREAT GAMBLING AS ENTERTAINMENT. Treat the money you lose as the cost of your entertainment. Treat any winnings as a bonus.
PLAN AHEAD: SET A DOLLAR LIMIT AND STICK TO IT. Decide beforehand not only what you can "afford" to lose, but how much you want to spend. Don't change your mind after losing!
SET A TIME LIMIT AND STICK TO IT. Decide how much of your time you want to allow for gambling. Leave when you reach the time limit whether you are winning or losing.
BE PREPARED TO LOSE. The odds are that you will lose. Accept loss as part of the game.
MAKE IT A PRIVATE RULE NOT TO GAMBLE ON CREDIT. Do not borrow to gamble.
CREATE BALANCE IN YOUR LIFE. Gambling should not interfere with or substitute for friends, family, work. or other worthwhile activities .
AVOID "CHASING" LOST MONEY. After you've reached your designated dollar limit, do not continue to play in order to try to win back the money. Stop gambling, go see a show, or go home.
DON’T GAMBLE AS A WAY TO COPE WITH EMOTIONAL OR PHYSICAL PAIN. Instead, talk to a friend, a family member, or a professional counselor.
What does it mean if you can't follow all or some of these suggestions?
It means you may need to seek help.
Call 1-800-777-7207