The vast majority of people that gamble online have no safety issues whatsoever. With that being said, however, there are a few things that you should be careful about. By being aware of the risks involved, and taking a few precautions, you can ensure that you have a pleasant and positive experience. Our article on online gambling safety will help you do this.
Pretty much the first thing you need to do if you want to give online gambling a try is to sign up at a gambling site. Most sites are decent enough, but only a select few will give you the very best experience. The leading sites simply have that much more to offer, and they know how to look after their customers very well.
You ideally want to join somewhere that’s the right option for your own specific needs too. We can help you with this, as we have ranked the top sites in a number of different categories.
If you take a look at our top gambling sites section you should have no problem finding your perfect site.
If you don’t really know what sort of things you need to be looking for in a site, then you should read our beginner’s article on choosing an online gambling site. This will give you some idea of how to go about deciding where to join.
There are a few other things that you should really know about before you get started with online gambling. These include how you get your money online, and how you can get extra money through bonuses and rewards. We’ve written beginner’s articles covering both of these topics, so make sure you read them.
It’s also worth reading our top tips for beginners too. These provide you with some great advice for getting started. If you have any specific questions, then you should take a look at our FAQ.
In addition to the advice on this page, and all the articles in this section, we have also provided comprehensive guides to each of the main forms of gambling. These guides contain loads of useful help and advice for beginners.
There’s also plenty in them for more experienced gamblers as well. They can help you get the most out of your gambling experiences and even improve your chances of winning some money.
There are numerous US sports betting sites on the web where you can get sports betting advice or picks. At Sports Handle, we enjoy covering sports betting regulation and legislation in addition to providing analysis on sports law and the industry as a whole.
We’re also avid sports bettors ourselves. This provides you with insight that traditional media coverage cannot. We offer predictions and breakdowns for most major sports and seek to help out both the casual and experienced bettor, without ever charging you for picks and access to the most up to date odds on the market. We also offer a glossary for sports wagering in two parts — here’s 101 for the beginners and intermediates and 201 for more seasoned sports bettors.
Everyone has a different betting strategy, whether they are betting on the NFL games, NBA games, MLB, or any other sport. Our team of writers will give you fact-based, solid analysis of games that will make you a smarter bettor so that when your state finally comes around to offering the opportunity wager on your favorite sports, you’ll be locked and loaded with far more insight that the average Jane or Joe.
Gambling problems can happen to anyone from any walk of life. Your gambling goes from a fun, harmless diversion to an unhealthy obsession with serious consequences. Whether you bet on sports, scratch cards, roulette, poker, or slots—in a casino, at the track, or online—a gambling problem can strain your relationships, interfere with work, and lead to financial disaster. You may even do things you never thought you would, like running up huge debts or even stealing money to gamble.
Gambling addiction—also known as pathological gambling, compulsive gambling or gambling disorder—is an impulse-control disorder. If you're a compulsive gambler, you can't control the impulse to gamble, even when it has negative consequences for you or your loved ones. You'll gamble whether you're up or down, broke or flush, and you'll keep gambling regardless of the consequences—even when you know that the odds are against you or you can't afford to lose.
Of course, you can also have a gambling problem without being totally out of control. Problem gambling is any gambling behavior that disrupts your life. If you're preoccupied with gambling, spending more and more time and money on it, chasing losses, or gambling despite serious consequences in your life, you have a gambling problem.
A gambling addiction or problem is often associated with other behavior or mood disorders. Many problem gamblers also suffer with substance abuse issues, unmanaged ADHD, stress, depression, anxiety, or bipolar disorder. To overcome your gambling problems, you'll also need to address these and any other underlying causes as well.
Although it may feel like you’re powerless to stop gambling, there are plenty of things you can do to overcome the problem, repair your relationships and finances, and finally regain control of your life.
The first step is to separate the myths from the facts about gambling problems:
Myth: You have to gamble every day to be a problem gambler.
Морда кирпичомFact: A problem gambler may gamble frequently or infrequently. Gambling is a problem if it causes problems.
Myth: Problem gambling is not really a problem if the gambler can afford it.
Fact: Problems caused by excessive gambling are not just financial. Too much time spent on gambling can also lead to relationship and legal problems, job loss, mental health problems including depression and anxiety, and even suicide.
Myth: Having a gambling problem is just a case of being weak-willed, irresponsible, or unintelligent.
Fact: Gambling problems affect people of all levels of intelligence and all backgrounds. Previously responsible and strong-willed people are just as likely to develop a gambling problem as anyone else.
Myth: Partners of problem gamblers often drive their loved ones to gamble.
Fact: Problem gamblers often try to rationalize their behavior. Blaming others is one way to avoid taking responsibility for their actions, including what is needed to overcome the problem.
Fact: Problem gamblers often try to rationalize their behavior. Blaming others is one way to avoid taking responsibility for their actions, including what is needed to overcome the problem.
Myth: If a problem gambler builds up a debt, you should help them take care of it.
Fact: Quick fix solutions may appear to be the right thing to do. However, bailing the gambler out of debt may actually make matters worse by enabling their gambling problems to continue.
Gambling addiction is sometimes referred to as a “hidden illness” because there are no obvious physical signs or symptoms like there are in drug or alcohol addiction. Problem gamblers also typically deny or minimize the problem—even to themselves. However, you may have a gambling problem if you:
Feel the need to be secretive about your gambling. You might gamble in secret or lie about how much you gamble, feeling others won't understand or that you will surprise them with a big win.
Have trouble controlling your gambling. Once you start gambling, can you walk away? Or are you compelled to gamble until you've spent your last dollar, upping your bets in a bid to win lost money back?
Gamble even when you don't have the money. You may gamble until you've spent your last dollar, and then move on to money you don't have—money to pay bills, credit cards, or things for your children. You may feel pushed to borrow, sell, or even steal things for gambling money.
Have family and friends worried about you. Denial keeps problem gambling going. If friends and family are worried, listen to them carefully. It's not a sign of weakness to ask for help. Many older gamblers are reluctant to reach out to their adult children if they've gambled away their inheritance, but it's never too late to make changes for the better.
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The biggest step to overcoming a gambling addiction is realizing that you have a problem. It takes tremendous strength and courage to own up to this, especially if you have lost a lot of money and strained or broken relationships along the way. Don't despair, and don't try to go it alone. Many others have been in your shoes and have been able to break the habit and rebuild their lives. You can, too.
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