Daily Archives: October 4, 2022

Gambling addiction is currently the only form of behavioral addiction recognized by the American Psychiatric Association. As outlined in The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition (DSM-5), gambling addiction can be diagnosed using the 11 criteria for measuring substance addiction, but what is it?

Gambling is a diverse activity that is not designated solely to casinos and card games. Many forms of gambling occur in day-to-day life, including buying lottery tickets, poker games, online gambling, legalized gambling, or placing bets on sports games. For many, these activities are casual and infrequent and dont threaten their financial security. However, for others, gambling is a much more frequent and problematic behavior that causes them to lose control and experience devastating financial losses.

Like many forms of substance abuse, gambling activates the reward center in the brain and causes the release of dopamine. Pathological gamblers will feel a rush when placing a bet, and may even have a bigger rush when placing large or risky bets. People with a gambling disorder become fixated, building their routine around either chasing the high from winning with increasingly risky bets or desperately trying to recoup their losses. It can be a devastating cycle, one which leaves many in financial ruin and emotional turmoil every year. [1][2]

Get help during Covid-19

At Recovered, we recognize the impact COVID-19 has had and the continued challenges it poses to getting advice and treatment for substance use disorders. SAMHSA has a wealth of information and resources to assist providers, individuals, communities, and states during this difficult time and is ready to help in any way possible.

Genetics, psychological make-up, a persons environment, and past trauma can all make a person more vulnerable to addictions, including gambling disorder. Outside of the recognized causes of addiction, someone may also become a compulsive gambler if they are in difficult financial circumstances as a means of getting out of them. Others may develop an addiction after experiencing the rush of a lucky bet or winning streak. Others may simply enjoy the perceived lifestyle of gambling and may not be aware of how it is damaging their lives.

Compulsive disorders and addictive disorders are closely linked but are categorized differently in the DSM 5 (the reference guide used to diagnose all mental illnesses and addictive disorders). The main difference between these disorders is that compulsions are impulsive patterns of behavior that cause negative consequences and problems, but dont necessarily cause the person to become physically or psychologically addicted.[1][2]

Addictive disorders like gambling disorder are known to cause the formation of addiction pathways in the brain which make it hard (but not impossible) for a person to control, cut back, or stop the behavior. Compulsive behaviors may be driven by fear, distress, or other impulses, as is the case in people with OCD who compulsively wash their hands or check their locks. They arent addicted to these behaviors but instead do them compulsively to alleviate their anxiety.

Gambling disorder is characterized by a pattern of compulsive gambling that becomes problematic and leads to the experience of negative consequences in an individuals life. Symptoms of gambling disorder include the experience of at least four of the following: [2]

A need to gamble with increasing amounts of money to achieve the same level of excitement or rush

Repeated unsuccessful efforts to stop or cut back on gambling

Restlessness or irritability when trying to cut back or stop gambling

Persistent preoccupation, or having frequent thoughts about gambling

A pattern of gambling when emotional or under stress

Returning to gambling after losing to recover losses

Lying to others or minimizing the extent of the gambling behavior

Risking or experiencing the loss of a significant relationship, job, or opportunity because of gambling

Relying on others to provide money to relieve financial strain caused by gambling

Some additional signs that can indicate someone has a Gambling Disorder or is at risk for developing one include:[2]

Spending more time or money gambling than you originally intended

Feelings of regret, remorse, or guilt after gambling

Gambling money that you cannot afford to lose

Intending, planning, or attempting to stop gambling but not following through

Feeling unable to control yourself when you start gambling

If you notice these signs or symptoms, it may mean that you are struggling with a gambling disorder, or that you are at risk of developing one.

Some who fall into patterns of excessive gambling may begin to display mental health issues such as depression and anxiety. This coupled with heavy losses can drive some to suicidal thoughts and actions.

One of the biggest indicators that addiction has formed is the inability to stop. If the thought of quitting gambling makes you anxious or you take active steps to carry on gambling, regardless of whether you are hurting yourself or others, then you likely have an addiction.

Unpaid debts that threaten financial, job, or personal security

Financial difficulties including debt or bankruptcy

Neglecting work and other responsibilities

Secretive behavior attempting to hide or conceal the problem

Mental health issues such as anxiety and depression or mood swings

Abusing substances to cope with psychological pressure from gambling, leading to drug and alcohol addictions

If you feel that you may be starting to develop a problem with gambling or have lost control, consider taking one or more of the following actions: [4]

Admit the scope of the problem and face it directly by calculating your losses and debts, and considering the amount of time and money spent on gambling

Recognize the negative effects gambling has had on you, loved ones, your life, and financial security

Find someone to talk to about the problem. Sharing your concerns with a loved one, therapist, or support group can help explore your feelings around the issue

Avoid locations and situations where you may be tempted to gamble and put safeguards in place that make it harder to give in to urges to gamble (i.e. leaving cash or credit cards at home or deleting apps used to gamble)

Visit our 12 tips to stop gambling page for more advice on how to reduce gambling.

Behavioral problems such as gambling addictions cannot be directly treated with medication, but medication may be needed to treat underlying or related conditions or symptoms like anxiety, mood swings, or depression. As there is no medication treatment for gambling addiction, many try to self-medicate. This can not only exacerbate any co-occurring conditions but also increases the risk of developing a secondary addiction to drugs or alcohol.

As with all types of addiction, loving someone who has a problem can be very difficult. Gambling addiction can put a huge strain on any relationship, especially if you share finances or have lent money to the person with the addiction.

If you think your partner or loved one may have the signs of being a problem gambler but you are unsure, ask yourself:

Do they promise time and time again to stop gambling but carry on anyway?

Do they disappear for long periods of time without telling you where they were?

Do they spend large sums of money without being able to account for it?

Do you hide money to stop them from spending it?

Do they lie to cover up or deny their gambling?

If you answered yes to one or more of these questions, here are some recommended steps to take: [4]

Have an open conversation with your loved one sharing your concerns

Set hard limits and boundaries about not lending them money

Limit access to shared accounts to protect financial assets

Encourage your loved one to get professional treatment

Consider a support group or counseling if you need additional help

If you or someone you care about is suffering from a gambling addiction, contact a treatment center today.

Gambling disorder is a treatable addiction, and many addiction centers have the ability to help people overcome this issue. Also, all states have free support and help (including counseling and support groups such as Gamblers Anonymous) for people struggling with gambling disorder. With treatment, its possible to overcome a gambling problem and regain control of your life and finances.

View post:

Gambling Addiction - Signs, symptoms, risks and treatment - recovered

One of my favorite ways to learn about a new subject is to look at the various subdivisions of that subject. For example, Im writing a blog about gambling, so that leads me to wonder what the different types of gambling games are. If I were writing a blog about literature, I might look at how literature experts categorize that subject.

Ill start by offering a definition of gambling, and Ill follow that with a definition of game:

My favorite online dictionary, Merriam Webster, says that the word gamble has 2 definitions:

I saw an interesting discussion in the Wikipedia article about poker that relates to this, in fact. A well-meaning editor had removed the phrase gambling game from the pages lede, claiming that poker was a game of skill, not chance, and therefore it wasnt a gambling game.

But according to the definition from Merriam Webster, poker qualifies for sure. After all, youre playing a game for money. And the outcome of an individual hand in poker is uncertain, even when the odds are in your favor.

The legal definition of gambling might be another matter. USLegal.com has a page about the legal definition of gambling, and its also illuminating:

The legal definition agrees that risking money on an uncertain outcome is gambling, but it seems to make an exception for something thats not under a persons control or influence. This leads me to believe that a bet on a sporting contest that youre involved in wouldnt constitute gamblingat least not in a legal sense. Playing a game of billiards, darts, or golf (just to name 3 examples) for $20 with your drinking buddy wouldnt count.

That site also specifies that buying securities or commodities doesnt constitute gambling, even though the future price of those securities or commodities might be uncertain. In fact, anything that would qualify as a bona fide business transaction would be considered not gambling.

That seems to be a reasonably complete coverage of the definition of the word gambling, at least for this posts purpose.

Now whats a game?

Merriam-Websters definition of game is lengthier than its definition of gambling. The main definition is simple enough, though:

A game is any activity youre participating in for purposes of fun or diversion. The concept of competition is mentioned in one of the other definitions, too.

In fact, poker and other gambling games is the 1st example of the word used in a sentence in that definition.

The Wikipedia defines a game as a structured form of play. The page goes on to list some key components of an activity that constitutes a game:

I think most of these components apply to almost any gambling activity you can think of.

Whats your goal playing a slot machine?

You try to get certain symbols lined up on a pay line.

Blackjack has specific rules about what values the playing cards have.

The challenge in any gambling game is to win more money than you lose.

And youre interacting with someone or something every time you place a bet.

Im a simple man. I use simple strategies to find the information I want. To find categories of gambling games, I started with a Google search.

And one of the first pages I found included a great set of broad categories for gambling games:

Gambling games consisting of pure chance include keno and roulette. No amount of skill gives you influence over the results of a keno draw or a spin of the roulette wheel.

Craps is a game thats mostly about chance. You need some skill at choosing the right bets, though. The odds change dramatically from the basics bets to the proposition bets. And some players believe in dice setting or dice control.

Blackjack and poker are games of mostly skill. How you play your cards has a big role in determining your outcome. Card counters get an edge against the house. Skilled poker players also operate with a mathematical advantage.

But thats not the only way to categorize gambling games.

The California Council of Problem Gambling has the following gambling games list:

I disagree with some of their categorizations, but here are some insights into each category:

Casino card games include games like blackjack and Texas holdem. I wouldnt include traditional poker as as casino-style game, though. Poker games played against other players are dramatically different from games played in the casino proper.

Heres why:

In a real poker game, youre competing with the other players for money. In a casino card game, youre competing with the house for money. If you lose a hand of blackjack, the casino wins your money. If you lose a hand of poker, the other player at the table wins your money.

The house does bank some poker games, though.Caribbean Stud, for example, is a game you play in a casino versus the dealer. The actions of the other players at the table have no effect on your outcome.

The California Council on Problem Gamblings page lists some of the following card games as examples of other card games:

Id agree with their categorization, but Id include all poker games played against other players in this category instead of the casino card games category.

Any gambling game using dice to determine outcomes qualifies. Craps is the obvious example. Sic Bo is another, less well-known example. You could even gamble on Yahtzee if you wanted to.

The site lists the following games as examples:

It seems as if the California problem gambling site considers any game played on the internet to be an electronic gambling game, and I get that. Id probably include slot machines and video poker games played in brick and mortar casinos, though. That would also include the less common games, video blackjack and video roulette.

This is where you bet on the outcome of a sporting event that youre not participating in. Place a bet on a baseball or football game, and youre a sports bettor.

Sports betting is one of the more legally suspect gambling activities on this list. The Wire Act is a federal law that prohibits the running of a sports betting operation over the phone. For purposes of the law, this includes placing bets over the internet.

But the law only applies to the party taking the action. Placing the bet isnt a crime. Taking the bet is.

Companies (or individuals) who take sports bets as a business are called sports books. Theyre also sometimes just called books or bookies.

You can bet on sports with multiple offshore companies, even if you live in the United States. The companies accepting those bets can get in a lot of trouble if they get caught. Youre pretty safe, legally, though.

Betting on sports can be one of the most profitable betting games for the skilled bettor.

They dont have to be quarters. In fact, the Wikipedia article calls it pitching pennies. The concept is the same, though:

You throw a coin at the wall. So do your competitors. The person whose coin lands closest to the wall wins the coins.

Its an ancient game. Ive never thought of it when I wrote about gambling games lists before, though.

I doubt theres a lot of action in the quarter pitching market segment anymore. I do remember seeingThe Purple Rose of Cairo, and Danny Aiellos character was pitching pennies in that movie.

Lotteries have become ubiquitous in the United States. I think only 2 or 3 states have no lottery at the time of this writing.

Even when lotteries werent commonplace, private individuals ran lottery style games. These are the gangsters you hear about in the movies who are running numbers.

A number running game might work like this:

You pick 3 numbers between 0 and 9. The next day, the last 3 digits of the Dow Jones Industrial Average determine the winner. The individual running the numbers keeps a cut, of course.

But probably not as big a cut as the states who are running the lotteries keep. The mathematical expectation for these games is 50 cents on the dollar.

If you started with $1 million, bought a million lottery tickets with the money, and kept reinvesting your winnings, youd go broke much faster than you think:

Youd go broke in 3 weeks.

My best advice about gambling?

Skip the lottery altogethereven the seemingly-harmless scratch-off tickets.

I dont usually think of a raffle as a gambling game. But I guess it qualifies.

A raffle is when an organization wants to raise some money for some purpose. They offer some kind of prize, and they sell tickets for a drawing to win that prize.

Raffles resemble lotteries, but theyre privately held. Depending where you live, a raffle might be illegal.

Bingo resembles keno, lottery, and raffle games. The difference is the shape and makeup of the card. In the United States, a bingo card is a 5X5 grid. The word BINGO is printed across the top. The numbers are in the 25 squares.

Depending on the game, you win money based on getting a straight line or some other shape.

Bingo is the most socially accepted type of gambling in the world. Churches often host bingo games on a regular basis. People play bingo in elementary schools and nursing homes, although the prizes might not be cash.

But bingo isnt legal in every jurisdiction, either.

I discussed this category earlier. These are personal games of skill, like darts or billiards. I played in a weekly shuffleboard tournament at my local bar for 10 years. You paid $10 to play. You drew your partner at random.

The winners got the prize pool, and 2nd place got to play in the next weeks tournament free.

And if you dont think shuffleboard is a game of skill, let me tell you this:

I didnt win a tournament, no matter how strong a partner I had, for the 1st 9 years I participated.

The California site mentions Native American stick games and Mahjong as examples. I know that in some Middle Eastern countries, its common to bet on kite fighting. Participants create kites with blades on them and try to take out their opponents kites.

This is an odd category. It seems like all gambling games are cultural games for someone.

Around 91% of Americans use the internet in one form or another. One could assume that almost all of the gambling games listed above would have an online counterpart. The few gambling games I could see as outliers would be maybe kite fighting.

More and more states are legalizing online gambling and with that comes more options for playing gambling games online. You can even consider raffles online as well.

My daughter is a big Instagram user. She enters giveaways all the time, which could be considered a raffle of sorts. Shes trading her contact info and social media exposure for a chance to win a companys product in return. Money might not be exchanging hands but free social media exposure for an up and coming clothing brand is worth its weight in gold on Instagram, or just about any other social platform.

Online gambling is having a shining moment with the pandemic that shook the world in Marhc 2020. Everyone was at home and on the internet, ALL THE TIME. The traditional casinos closed. This left a huge open market for online gambling to step in and fill that void.

You can play just about any gambling online these days. fans of slot machines table games have 1000s of apps and website choices.

Are you a sports fan?

More than a dozen states have legalized online sports betting and daily fantasy sports leagues like DraftKings.com. Online sports betting is big business for sports teams and the online gambling arena. Just make sure you check your local laws to make sure its legal in your location.

The choices are almost unlimited when you look at online gambling games. If you like a certain gambling game, I promise theres most likely an online version of it.

This may seem like a redundant topic to include on this gambling game list but I think its an important one that we shouldnt overlook. Just about any gambling game can be replicated online (legal or not) with the right app or technology.

These are just examples of the types of gambling games you might consider playing. I used 2 different websites opinions about how they should be categorized. But I had problems with both their categorization schemes.

I could create lists of games where your decisions matter versus games where your decisions dont matter. I could also list games that use spinning wheels, like roulette or Wheel of Fortune. (Dont confuse that 2nd one with the popular TV game show.)

Ive done some work on a previous post that hopes to eventually be the most complete list of casino games on the internet. Ill probably return to that post soon to update it. I doubt it will ever be finished, though. Gambling game creators are hard at work looking for new and exciting ways to separate you from your money all the time.

Read the rest here:

14 Types of Gambling Games (2022 List)

Finding the best online gambling sites is a major challenge, especially in places where there are no regulations and licensed online gambling real money site. In this article, you will discover more about the three best real money gambling sites.

Sportsbook, poker rooms, and casinos that operate online are usually called internet gambling sites or online gambling real money sites. They are powered by software that creates various ways to gamble.

When it comes to online gambling for real money, it is always crucial to choose the most secure sports betting site. Ignition Casino is certainly one of the safest and best gambling sites on the Internet. The platform offers several online sports real money betting options. Also, Ignition Casino features a simple live betting platform for gamers who like in-game betting. Moreover, the desktop interface is easy to navigate.

If you are looking for more real action in your life, the site has a full-scale online casino with all the adventure you could ever need. While Ignition Casino does have a lot of real money gaming options as compared to others, it has sufficient games for semi-serious and casual players. You will find all the best and popular games. Also, the casino has features mini-games that you can play from love betting platform.

Whether you are betting on football, basketball, baseball or any other sport Cafe Casino gives you a host of actions. In fact, the site provides the wagering on various things including whether or not there will be a presidential election or white Christmas. The game lets you bet on goofy things. So, is my bookie a reliable money gaming platform? Lets find out:

Cafe Casino is run and managed by some of the most skilled and experienced individuals in the gaming industry. To begin with, the customer support is incredible. The customer reps know how to treat customers. Cafe Casino is a registered operator and authorized as a platform for real online gaming. They have been existence for some time now and continue to enhance their products.

You can access Cafe Casino from anywhere in the world. You can bet on mobile without downloading apps, this is a good thing because you do not need to worry about space when playing on your mobile device. Cafe Casino is convenient for players who are always on the go.

Slots.lv Casino is famously known for its sportsbook. The site is a one-stop shop for all your gaming needs.

Slots.lv Casino is a legit and one of the best online gambling sites. So, do not believe a couple of people who may bash the site because they might have lost cash and are not happy. Apart from being secure and offering on-time payments, Slots.lv Casino offers numerous real casino games and money betting options.

Players from all the 50 states can play on Slots.lv Casino. Few websites allow players from anywhere in the world to play on their platform. Customers have had incredible success with credit card deposits. Thus, the site is easy to grade for accessibility.

Great banking options is another commendable feature of Slots.lv Casino. You can deposit money on the site and withdraw from anywhere in the world. For many other sites, withdrawing money has been a major problem, especially for US gambling.

Quality sportsbook is a feature not so many real sports betting sites offer. If you are looking to play on a real American sports platform, consider using Slots.lv Casino as it offers a great number of international money gambling markets.

While registering on the best online gambling casino may not be a requirement for non-American bettors, it is a must for all the US bettors because there is only a handful of legit sportsbook, and Slots.lv Casino is one of them.

With more than a decade in the gaming business, many banking options and betting options and good reputation, gamers should consider registering on best online gambling casino, and that is Slots.lv Casino.

Go here to read the rest:

Best 3 Online Gambling for Real Money Sites

Well, last week was quite the ride for the Boston College football team as they were able to squeak by Louisville to secure their first ACC win of the season with a 34-33 win.

Like a responsible gambler, I stayed the hell away from this one and boy was that the right decision. The ending results of the match was a gamblers worst nightmare as the Eagles were able to cover the 15.5 spread, obviously, and absolutely destroy the Over of 51 which I originally guessed was set a tad bit too high.

Nonethless, not betting on the game allowed me to simply watch the game as a true fan and Alum and enjoy the spoils of victory.

A few quick observations going forward: The run game looked significantly improved, the O-line looked surprisingly improved (?) despite there being an additional lineman added to the injury report prior to kick-off, and Big Play Zay is practically unstoppable.

Now, moving forward, the Eagles will have their biggest test to date as they welcome in the #5 Clemson Tigers Saturday night for the annual Red Bandana game. As to be expected, the Eagles are coming into their own home game as a +20.5 underdog and O/U at 48.5.

Now, at first glance, I thought that Vegas was being a tad bit generous in giving BC a three touchdown cushion. Against most teams in the ACC I would say take the points, but this is Clemson that we are talking about.

Dabo Sweeny continues to mold and shape is team into national championship contenders despite whomever is under center. So far, he is done an excellent job with Trevor Lawrences replacement, DJ Uiagalelei, who now in second year as the starter is starting to put up numbers akin to what we are used to seeing Clemson QBs do. He has thrown for 1,242 yards with an 11/1 TD to INT ratio putting him at a 152.6 Passer Rating. Of course, he is no T-Law, but this will certainly be the most high-powered offense BCs defense will have to date. That is a scary statemenet especially what happened down in Tallahassee a few weeks prior...

Clemson is currently averaging 41 points per contest and has had their share of tough ACC opponents to which we can get a solid sample size of the competition they have had to endure. A nail-biting finish last week against NC State along with a double overtime win on the road against Wake Forest were certainly the two games that jump off the page the most. In years past, those would have been somewhat concerning contests, but this years ACC is stacked with talent and NC State and Wake Forest have proven that they can compete with the best and are worthy of Top 25 rankings making Clemsons victories in those environments all the more noteworthy.

Getting in to the numbers, the Tigers go into their match against the Eagles averaging 437 yards of total offense split between 261 through the air and 175.8 on the ground. Will Shippley continues to be a menace on the ground as he ranks 39th in the FBS in yards at 413 on the season to go along with 7 touchdowns.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Tigers are one of the most resilient rushing defenses in FBS. To date, they have only given up 69.6 yards on average on the ground. That is a mind boggling stat. Through the air, they are a bit mor susceptible allowing 263 yards per game.

So, what does this all mean for the Eagles who are looking to snap an 11 game losing streak to the Tigers? Well, not a whole lot. BC has tried to establish some type of run game all season to no avail aside from last week against Louisville. With this Clemson defensive front, I forsee a lot of no-gain carries and quite a few pressured pockets that Jurkovec will try to throw out of.

With all this said, it is really going to come down on how our defense can perform throughout this contest and allow our offense to break off some trickey and big plays that we have seen in years past. BC has proven to have a sturdy defense this season allowing just 218 passing yards per game and 154 on the ground.

My prediction will be that, despite all this, I would take Clemson -20.5 this week along with the Over. Like I have seen time and again, it really is only a matter of time before the levee breaks with this defense. As a loose gamescript, I think that BCs defense has a few solid stops in the first two quarters of play, our offense cannot get anything going and eventually it becomes too much weight for our defense to carry. The game ultimately collapses come the second half. Expect the final score to end up somewhere around 45-17.

Prediction: Clemson -20.5 | Over 48.5 | Clemson (-1600)

See the original post here:

Boston College Football vs. Clemson: Gambling Odds and Prediction - BC Interruption

A father who spent more than 100,000 on bets before losing everything is now helping other gambling addicts to quit through TikTok.

James Nixon, 30, who works in business development and lives in Andover, Hampshire, spent three years couch surfing after losing his home, relationship and children due to a gambling addiction which saw him lose thousands of pounds each month.

Having quit in 2018, he relapsed when the Covid pandemic saw his addiction meetings halted and it was not until July 2022 that he managed to get it under control again.

Now James, who has two children aged seven and 10 whom he does not wish to name, uses social media to help others end their gambling habits posting about his own experiences to encourage addicts to quit.

James said: My pay used to go into my bank account at around three in the morning and, by five or six, Id be asking people for money because Id spent everything.

I dont know exactly how much Ive lost throughout my addiction but it is definitely over 100,000.

Hearing that Ive been a factor in someone else stopping is amazing.

James Nixon

He recalls how he first became hooked on gambling as a teenager growing up in a seaside town surrounded by arcades before the addiction escalated into adulthood, when he used money, needed for food and bills for his family, to place football bets.

James said: I started going to the arcades when I was about 16. My friends used to hang around there and play on the games.

For them, it was a bit of fun to pass the time but for me, I got really into it and played them loads.

He added: Then, I went to the bookies with my ex-girlfriends dad and we placed a couple of bets. I had quite a big win and from there, I was hooked.

James began regularly placing bets on online sports, particularly tennis and football.

He said: At first, I was making excuses as to why I had no money and why I needed to borrow from people but over time, people started getting suspicious.

He added: I couldnt hide it any longer, when I started getting spotted at the bookies or gambling related things would pop up on my phone.

At the time, James was living with his then-partner.

He said: She knew I was gambling a lot because I would talk about how winning the latest bet would solve our money worries.

At first, I was making excuses as to why I had no money and why I needed to borrow from people but over time, people started getting suspicious.

James Nixon

He added: I would ask her for money to place bets when I ran out and gambling became the start of a lot of arguments.

I would always be selfish and use the money we needed to place bets and would inevitably lose it, then wed have to make do with what little food we had and we would be behind on bills.

Id usually be in a bad mood too because Id lost.

By this point, James had realised he had a gambling addiction but could not kick the habit.

He said: It was always a case of, the next one will be a win that kept me hooked.

I lost everything, my relationship, my kids, my home.

James relationship broke down in 2015 and he spent the next two years couch surfing.

He said: Id stay with different friends and family over the years and I dont think that helped because, if I moved around a lot, I wasnt staying with the same people for too long and it was easier to cover up just how bad the problem was.

It took another three years for me to stop gambling completely. I had to completely lose everything in my life to finally stop.

I would always be selfish and use the money we needed to place bets and would inevitably lose it.

James Nixon

In 2018, after losing some friends due to borrowing money he could not pay back, James finally stopped gambling and started to attend addiction meetings.

He said: The meetings really helped me but when the first Covid lockdown hit in March 2020, the meetings stopped.

I was finding it harder and harder to stay on course and, after a while, I relapsed.

I hope I can help other people through TikTok.

James Nixon

With his credit score on the mend after three years of being financially responsible, James was able to take out loans to gamble.

He said: It was a slippery slope and getting out of control. I was losing thousands of pounds and my debt was escalating.

It wasnt until July this year that I finally stopped. I dont think there was a particular reason, it was just that I knew it was out of control.

He added: I was heading down the same route as before and it scared me.

After quitting again, James started to upload videos about his journey to TikTok.

He said: I had already been using the app and had seen other people make similar videos.

I was trapped when I was gambling, it wasnt a choice I wanted to make.

James Nixon

He added: I hoped that by sharing my experience it would make me more accountable and less likely to fall back into old habits.

One of the videos talking about my past went viral and people started reaching out to me, asking how they can stop too, which spurred me to make more videos.

But James admits his videos have also gained negative feedback.

It took another three years for me to stop gambling completely. I had to completely lose everything in my life to finally stop.

James Nixon

He said: I do get hateful comments too. People say I was selfish for what I did and I hold my hands up and agree with them.

I think theres a judgement attached with gambling addictions because its not a physical addiction so people see it as a choice.

I was trapped when I was gambling it wasnt a choice I wanted to make but I hope I can help other people through TikTok.

James has also been told that his content has helped other gambling addicts to quit.

He said: Those kind of messages keep me going. Hearing that Ive been a factor in someone else stopping is amazing.

Ive had friends who hadnt known about my gambling addiction reach out to me and say well done on spreading awareness.

I think theres a judgement attached with gambling addictions because its not a physical addiction so people see it as a choice.

James Nixon

He added: I think the more people who speak about it, the easier it will be for people to seek help.

Im very open about my gambling addiction, even at work, because Im determined to change and not only learn from what happened but also make sure it never happens again.

Read the original:

Father who blew 100K on bets reveals how TikTok saved him from gambling - The Independent

Posted on: October 4, 2022, 10:56h.

Last updated on: October 4, 2022, 11:30h.

As the UK continues to transition away from its participation in the European Union (EU), the country is going through a significant period of financial turmoil. The decision to exit the EUs General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) program could spell more disaster, including for gaming operators.

The UKs new prime minister, Liz Truss, has decided that the country doesnt need the GDPR. Its an idea that has been circulating as long as talk of Brexit, but which is now apparently becoming a reality.

Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) Michelle Donelan confirmed Tuesday that the UK will replace the EUs data privacy act with a new set of rules. This can only mean that gaming operators will have to contend with two systems, one for the EU and another for the UK.

The decision to dump the GDPR isnt a surprise the UK announced four months ago that something was in the works. The country will introduce its own data protection and digital information bill at some point, although its taking longer than the government initially hoped.

Although the UK has discussed creating its own rules for a couple of years, the overall concept remained aligned with the EUs guidelines. The EU signed off on the recommended proposals last year, though it said that it would be ready to pull back if the UK implemented too many changes.

I am announcing that we will be replacing GDPR with our own business and consumer-friendly, British data protection system. Our plan will protect consumer privacy and keep their data safe, whilst retaining our data adequacy so businesses can trade freely, Donelan said.

Donelan has tried to calm any concerns, explaining that the country can protect consumer data without far-reaching regulations. She stated that this is already done in countries like Japan and New Zealand, and that the UK will learn from those policies.

She also asserted that the move would make it easier for businesses to operate. However, this sentiment isnt shared by those businesses. UK companies that serve the EU will have to comply with two sets of rules.

The same applies to companies outside the UK. They have to implement solutions that can ensure adherence to both the GDPR and the UKs own solution. For many, this means double the expense related to consumer protection.

When the EU introduced the GDPR in 2016 it was hailed as one of the biggest achievements in modern history. Europe said at the time that the new rules would save billions of dollars in expenses. Introduction of the policy would also lead to efficient operations across the continent.

The data paints a different picture. Economists with Oxford University dove into the outcome of GDPR and what it meant for commercial activity earlier this year. What they found was that EU businesses lost on average 8.1% of their profits.

Small- and medium-sized enterprises lost 8.5%, while large companies lost around 7.9%. Even larger tech companies, like Google and Apple, saw no significant impacts from the implementation of the GDPR.

This doesnt instill confidence in the UKs latest effort. With inflation out of control and no fix in sight, the economy could potentially take another hit.

The good news is that, at least for now, the countrys version of the GDPR isnt moving forward. Just like new gambling regulations, theres an outside chance that nothing will change. The UK will hold new general elections in 18 months, which could usher in a new batch of political leaders.

See the original post:

UK Online Gambling Gets More Complicated as EU Compliance is Scrapped - Casino.Org News

My wife and I spent the weekend in Atlantic City to celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary.

Neither of us is a gambler, so we went for the hotel experience and the boardwalk. The nasty weather put the kibosh on the boardwalk (thanks Ian), so went we mainly spent the trip visiting hotels.

The one we stayed in, the Ocean Casino Resort, was by far the nicest.

For one thing, at the Ocean, they believe in natural light. When we walked into the lobby, I was struck by how light and airy the tall ceiling and giant windows made the place feel. I was used to rather dark casinos, but the Ocean is different. When visiting other casinos during our trip, they just seemed older and darker.

Bill Doyle photo

The Ocean is easy to find; its the tallest building in Atlantic City (Im told its the fourth tallest building in the state). Our room was on the 40th floor facing the ocean, so we had a good view of the churning waves caused by the remnants of Hurricane Ian. The Ferris wheel on the Steel Pier is really cool looking at night when it is all lit up.

The Ocean AC via Facebook

The casino floor bursts with color.

The Ocean lives up to its name as a resort given all the amenities it offers; there is a spa (complete with massages, sauna, facials, peels, and more). There is also a fully equipped fitness center (yes, I used it), and an indoor/outdoor pool (which I did not use).

The Ocean AC via Facebook

When its lit up, its visible for miles.

The restaurant selection is pretty impressive, too. Our favorite was Harpers, which only serves breakfast and lunch. Im not lying when I say they had the biggest breakfast portions Ive ever had.

I ordered assuming the portions would be small and when they brought the food to the table I realized that I had ordered too much. But I went ahead and ate it all.

My wife, who isnt as much of a pig as I am, got a doggy bag for her cinnamon roll that was about the size of her head (I exaggerate, but not by much).

The Ocean AC via Facebook

All in all, even with the bad weather, we had a great trip to AC.

Opinions expressed in the post above are those of New Jersey 101.5 talk show host Bill Doyle only.

You can now listen to Deminski & Doyle On Demand! Hear New Jerseys favorite afternoon radio show any day of the week. Download the Deminski & Doyle show wherever you get podcasts, on our free app, or listen right now.

Click here to contact an editor about feedback or a correction for this story.

Dennis & Judi asked their listeners for the nasty nicknames they've heard their towns referred to. How many have you heard? Which ones would you add?

Sometimes even your GPS doesn't know the back way to certain places.

Inventions you probably didn't know are New Jersey born

Excerpt from:

My trip to Atlantic City was worth it even with no gambling - New Jersey 101.5 FM