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NJPunter – Gamble Responsibly

You and I both know how fun gambling can be, but there are other aspects of the experience I would like to raise some awareness for. Thankfully, with my project NJPunter, I am in a perfect position to help anyone who may be struggling with gambling addiction or has experienced gambling harm.

Trust me; I was like you once. The urge to play was just too strong, but I have channeled my passion in other hobbies and activities, and have rededicated my efforts to help players be better informed. 

Today, I want to talk to you about how to gamble responsibly, which, I must insist, is the key to being a happy gambler in New Jersey. This article is dedicated to all my fellow players who suspect they may be playing a little too much, a little too intensely.

How to Tell If You Are Beginning to Experience Gambling Addiction?

I want to address the issue head-on and help you out on the spot. This questionnaire contains questions that are purposefully created to help you identify problem gambling behavior. 

I strongly recommend you take GamblersAnonymous full survey or any of the resources available specifically to residents of New Jersey. 

If you suspect that you may be experiencing gambling harm, however, please make sure to answer these questions truthfully first or seek professional help directly.

  1. Have you ever lost time or missed social occasions because of your gambling hobby?
  2. Did gambling cause any worsening of your quality of life, whether that was emotional or financial?
  3. Have you felt the urge to bet quickly again after amassing a big win or incurring a big loss?
  4. Did you neglect your relationships with others because of gambling?
  5. Have you ever borrowed or stolen money to be able to continue gambling?
  6. Did you ever lie to your close friends, family, or colleagues about your gambling habits and the intensity with which you gamble?
  7. Have you ever used gambling as a way to escape real-life problems, whether they are anxiety, financial trouble, or stress?
  8. Have you ever tried using gambling to make a career and try to pay off financial debt or make up for a financial loss?
  9. Did you have episodes where you wouldn’t stop gambling where you no longer have money?
  10. Have you ever gambled beyond your means, gambling more on credit, even though you knew that you could not afford it?

Now, I realize that these questions are uncomfortable, but they are anonymous. So, as long as you answer truthfully to yourself, you are okay. If you do end up answering “Yes” in most cases, please consider looking for professional help. 

Don’t Hesitate to Seek for Help

As someone who used to gamble too much and often recklessly myself, I know how difficult it can be to admit that you have an issue. But once you even suspect, placing a quick call to the relevant helpline is easy, it’s anonymous, and it doesn’t come with any stigma attached. 

It’s important to be aware of what responses are available to you today as a problem gambler, so I urge you to visit any of the institutions below to find adequate and dedicated help. 

  • Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey
  • Gamblers Anonymous
  • National Council on Problem Gambling

All of these institutions and organizations are equipped with the necessary tools to provide you with the help you need to address your issue head-on. I can confirm that they have well-trained professionals who can provide you with counseling.

Many players fear that if they open up about their problem, there will be a lot of stigmas attached. That is not true. The problem gambling bodies in New Jersey seek to genuinely help anyone who may feel that they are spending too much time playing.

The first step to do that is by having players admitting that they may be a victim of their own hobby. Once that step is covered, recovery is administered at an individual pace that is tailored to the needs and preferences of the individual.

Does Self-Exclusion Help?

I am a big supporter of the self-exclusion feature. In my opinion, it’s a bit aggressive, but it does help to prevent people from incurring irreparable harm. Self-exclusion is not just a restrictive option, and it’s an opportunity to moderate your own gaming experience.

I believe in self-exclusion, as it’s a flexible way to test yourself and see if you have an issue. If you feel the urge to play is too strong, then you have definitive proof that it’s high time that you sought help. 

If you are not able to bring yourself to self-exclusion, you can rely on any of the sportsbooks and online casinos in New Jersey whose customer support is trained to assist you in such situations. 

You will become part of a restrictions list, and your funds will return to your bank account.

Remember, Play Responsibly All the Time

It’s easy to get sidetracked when you play, but as long as you remember yourself to play responsibly, most harm can be avoided. All websites that contain sports betting and gambling products in New Jersey will necessarily have a Responsible Gambling page. 

In other words, you will always be one click away from finding help. More importantly, licensed websites have a variety of KYC and AML checks, which means that they are already aware of what you can afford and what amounts will raise some eyebrows.

Of course, I still believe that you should try to be responsible and remind yourself of the dangers of spending too much time playing and how much you end up spending. If you ever need help, remember to reach out to the institutions that list help and can direct you to professional councils for free online. 

More importantly, the key to playing and betting responsibly, the way I have found it, is to set a budget and time limit on your sessions. This way, gambling can truly be your beloved hobby and nothing more.