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About Leonard Walsh

Leonard Walsh is an experienced player, he possesses an in-depth understanding of various online games and platforms. His insights and experiences are invaluable to both novices and seasoned players navigating the online casino landscape.

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The need to promote responsible gambling practices

Gambling is a perennial element of human entertainment, underscored by tales of lucky gamblers making substantial winnings. However, the destructive impact of pathological gambling on individuals and families cannot be understated.

While there are inherent risks associated with gambling, these risks can be largely mitigated through available support and safeguards. We are steadfastly committed to ensuring these safeguards are in place, and offer the following reasons for our advocacy of responsible gambling in the digital gaming sector:

Prevalence of Gambling. An estimated one in ten New Zealanders gambles, with those who participate in online betting at twice the risk of gambling-related harm.
Financial impact. Individuals with problem gambling can quickly accumulate significant debt and are at a much higher risk of serious financial difficulties than non-gamblers.
Occupational Consequences. Chronic gambling problems correlate with a wide range of negative occupational outcomes.
Criminal Correlation. There is evidence of a link between problem gambling and an increase in crime, primarily due to the need to pay debts or recoup losses.
Family relationships. Pathological gamblers in treatment often report that their gambling has damaged or jeopardized important relationships.
Youth involvement. Regulators report that up to 18% of New Zealand’s underage population (under the age of 20) gamble regularly. In addition, children of pathological gamblers have shown an increased susceptibility to mental health disorders, including depression and suicidal tendencies.

We highlight these risk factors on many pages of our site for several critical reasons:

Safety Imperative. Our primary goal is to ensure your safety while providing you with the best possible gaming experience.
Commitment to Transparency. We believe in being upfront about the potential downsides and risks of gambling.
Commitment to Clarity. We aim to clearly articulate why the promotion of responsible gaming is of paramount importance to the industry.

The resulting content provides insight into how to avoid the pitfalls of problem gambling and strategies for recovery.

Responsibility in Gambling

Responsible gaming is not a one-size-fits-all concept. Rather, it represents a comprehensive set of strategies employed by legislators and operators to promote fairness in the industry and mitigate potential harm.

In New Zealand, common initiatives include dedicated pages on gambling sites and regulatory bodies that direct players to responsible gambling resources and external support organizations. These are often specific to each province and are a legal requirement for obtaining a gambling site license.

Ensuring game fairness is a critical aspect of responsible gambling – it requires that all casino sites have their games audited to ensure regular payouts and a fair advantage for the house.

These responsibilities generally fall under the jurisdiction of the provincial Gaming Control Board. Despite these regulations, the New Zealand market remains largely unregulated, with certain aspects overseen by Te Tari Taiwhenua, the country’s Department of Internal Affairs.

While these legal protections are in place, we can take additional personal steps to enhance our security.

Financial Management

Setting a budget before gambling is a very effective strategy. Sticking to a predetermined limit is easier than managing your spending without clear boundaries.

Managing Expectations

A common misconception is that playing for long periods guarantees a big win. Wins are never guaranteed. Random Number Generator (RNG) software, a legal requirement for casino games, ensures that outcomes are not manipulated. It also means that nothing, including winnings or losses, can be guaranteed.

Set limits

Avoid chasing losses, which is detrimental to responsible gambling. If losses are mounting, knowing when to stop is critical, and setting a budget can be of immense help.

Ask for help

Never hesitate to ask for help. You can contact professional organizations that specialize in helping problem gamblers if you find it difficult to reach out to those close to you.

Identifying Indicators of Gambling Addiction: a Guide

While an understanding of responsible gambling is commendable, accurately identifying the signs of problem gambling can present a formidable challenge. One might assume these indications would be clear, yet it’s crucial not to dismiss the prospect. As the adage goes, prevention surpasses cure.

We have compiled a strategic set of tips designed to assist in the recognition of these warning signs.

Cease Gambling Temporarily and Evaluate Your Emotional State
Attempt a brief hiatus from gambling activities. Does the absence prove more challenging than anticipated? Do you exhibit any signs of irritability or restlessness? How frequently do your thoughts wander towards gambling? If any responses to these inquiries cause discomfort, it may be prudent to seek assistance.
Conduct a Financial Audit
Evaluate the source of your gambling funds within your budget. Have you ever needed to reduce living expenditures to sustain your gambling habits? Has there been a necessity to borrow money for gambling, or worse, resort to theft? These instances are all unequivocal red flags.
Reflect on Past Losses
Consider instances where you’ve ‘chased a loss,’ or endeavored to recover from a significant loss by gambling more, only to suffer additional losses. Have such experiences ever evoked considerable stress or distress? Have there been moments when you’ve falsified information about your losses, particularly to your loved ones?
Seek Insight from Close Relations
Assess the perception of your gambling habits from the viewpoint of your family and friends. How do these activities impact your relationships with them? Are you depending on them for financial support in your gambling pursuits?

The indicators listed are highly suggestive of gambling addiction. Nevertheless, it is critical to note that our role, and indeed yours, is not to provide a diagnosis. If these symptoms incite any level of concern, professional help should be sought. The act of self-diagnosis without expert consultation is strongly discouraged.

Need Help?

If you’ve decided to seek help, rest assured that there are many options available to you. There are a number of support organizations dedicated to helping those who wish to effectively manage their gambling.

The New Zealand Problem Gambling Foundation

This organization provides a robust platform of support for those struggling with problem gambling in New Zealand.

Gambling Therapy

Gambling Therapy extends its services worldwide, offering free support such as counseling and therapeutic interventions to those in need. This organization can help guide you or those affected by your gambling on the path to recovery.

Ministry of Health

The Ministry of Health in New Zealand is committed to preventing and minimizing harm from gambling under the Gambling Act 2003. They provide comprehensive services to assist those affected by problem gambling and their families.

The Ministry also conducts independent scientific research related to gambling and related behaviors.

Gam-Anon

Gam-Anon serves as an international support network and conducts meetings worldwide.

The organization offers a self-help community based on a 12-step recovery program that addresses the emotional, mental, spiritual, and financial challenges of problem gambling.

Gamblers Anonymous

Founded in 1957, Gamblers Anonymous is a community-based organization dedicated to helping those who wish to stop gambling.

The organization provides hotlines in several provinces and maintains an online tool to help users find meetings in their area.

Government Resources

Regulatory bodies that license gambling operations often maintain dedicated pages on responsible gambling. The Ministry of the Interior provides a comprehensive overview of responsible gambling initiatives, as well as a list of support centers and resources for individuals dealing with gambling problems.

Other tools for responsible gambling

In addition to seeking help from support organizations, there are several self-help mechanisms available to help you manage your gambling.

Review your gambling history. Many gambling platforms keep a detailed record of every bet placed, including winnings and losses. This provides a comprehensive perspective on one’s gambling behavior and can help inform decisions about when to pause or stop.
Reality checks. These checks can vary from operator to operator. Essentially, they allow users to set regular pop-up reminders about potential gambling risks. The frequency of these reminders can be configured based on the amount of money or time spent gambling.
Self-assessment tests. A number of free self-assessment tests are available online that can help you determine if your gambling is becoming problematic. While these should not replace professional diagnosis, they can be a useful tool to encourage seeking professional help.

Tools Provided by Operators

By law, gambling platforms in New Zealand, especially online casinos, are required to offer account tools that help you manage your gambling habits. These typically include features such as deposit limits, loss limits, session limits, self-suspension and self-exclusion options.

Protect Minors

It is important to protect minors from gambling.

Underage gambling is a serious offense, and no gambling site is allowed to pay out illegal winnings. A 2019 study by the Department of Health found that a significant number of Pacific Islander youth engage in regular gambling, with some qualifying as problem gamblers.

The study also found a direct link between gambling and substance abuse, such as alcohol and smoking. Both gambling and related risk behaviors were found to be normalized within families.

Fortunately, steps can be taken to limit exposure.

Parental control applications such as Kidlogger and Qustodio allow parents to monitor their children’s Internet use and filter potentially harmful content. There are also software options that block all online gambling content, although these should be used with caution if you also gamble occasionally.

Other at-risk groups

Minors are not the only demographic disproportionately vulnerable to the risks of gambling. Highlighting the struggles of those most at risk is paramount. Together, we can raise awareness and promote a safer, more secure gaming environment for everyone.

FAQs

What is responsible gambling and how does Bonus-codes NZ promote it?

Responsible gambling is a broad set of initiatives aimed at promoting fairness in the gambling industry and reducing the potential harm associated with gambling. At Bonus-codes NZ we actively support responsible gaming through transparent ratings, unedited player reviews, not accepting paid ranking boosts and fostering a true community of players who can learn from, support and advise each other.

How can players practice responsible gambling?

Practices include setting a budget before gambling, managing expectations, knowing when to stop and asking for help when needed.

What are the signs of compulsive gambling?

Some signs include difficulty abstaining from gambling, financing gambling through living expenses or borrowed money, chasing losses, lying about losses, and damaging relationships because of gambling. If you identify with any of these signs, we recommend that you seek professional help.

What support is available for those struggling with compulsive gambling?

There are many organizations such as the Problem Gambling Foundation of New Zealand, Gambling Therapy, Ministry of Health, Gam-Anon, Gamblers Anonymous and the Department of Internal Affairs that offer help. In addition, gambling sites often provide tools such as access to gambling history, reality checks, and self-tests to help players control their gambling.