The development of online gambling, through the widespread access to the internet and, lately, the presence of casino platforms on “mobile” equipment, has brought possibilities for fun and entertainment that were unthinkable until a few years ago. However, the risks of increasing situations of dependence, addiction or addiction have also increased. The World Health Organization (WHO) itself identifies gambling addiction as a serious psychological problem.
In this sense, we firmly defend the principles of Responsible Gaming. First of all, only publishing casino platforms that are duly licensed and regulated in accordance with Portuguese law, and therefore fully comply with player protection rules, including, among other measures, the possibility of self-exclusion and the prohibition of access to minors. age.
Furthermore, we promote the best responsible and safe gaming practices, calling on all users to respect them and, above all, to have fun in a healthy way, avoiding dangers.
HOW TO KNOW IF I’M DEVELOPING A GAMBLING ADDICTION
Ask yourself, or a person who plays, the following questions. The answer must always be negative.
- Do you need to play longer than you determined before playing?;
- Do you tend to gamble when you are depressed, distressed or anxious?;
- Do you feel frustrated if you don’t have the chance to play?
- Are you playing with the conviction of recovering previous losses, and not for fun?
- Is your professional, social and personal life being affected by gambling?
- Have you ever thought about breaking the law to support your game?
WHAT SHOULD I DO TO GAMBLING RESPONSIBLY?
Follow a few simple rules and stick to them at all times.
- Establish a maximum budget, whether per day, week or month.
- If possible, also establish a maximum time limit. An alarm or alarm clock can be helpful.
- Avoid playing under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
- Never gamble to solve a financial problem, pay off a debt, etc.
- Never borrow money to gamble.
- Don’t let gaming interfere with your routine and daily responsibilities.
- If you feel frustrated or have personal issues to resolve, avoid playing games to distract yourself from these issues.
WHAT IS SELF-EXCLUSION AND HOW DOES IT WORK? (Portugal)
Self-exclusion is the possibility that the player has to request in advance, from one or all online casino platforms, that their future access to the platform be prevented and blocked in the future. The player can request a temporary self-exclusion period or for an indefinite period of time.
For more information, contact your usual online gaming operator or the Gaming Regulation and Inspection Service (SRIJ), the gaming regulatory authority in Portugal, through its website: https://www.srij.turismodeportugal.pt.
I WANT TO ASK FOR HELP. WHO CAN I CONTACT? (Portugal)
In addition to the aforementioned SRIJ, here is a set of entities that you can contact if you answered affirmatively to one or more of the questions we left above (How do I know if I am developing a gambling addiction?):
Responsible Gaming: www.jogoresponsavel.pt
Player Support Institute: www.iaj.pt
Life Line:
- Telephone: 1414 (weekdays, from 10am to 6pm, free call);
- Email: 1414@sicad.min-saude.pt
Anonymous Players:
- website: www.janteesanonimos.com.pt
- Telephone, Lisbon: 91 944 99 17
- Telephone, Porto: 919 916 611
The game should be a playful moment, of fun and joy, and never one of tension, an escape from reality or a means of combating problems. To paraphrase the verse of a famous song, “gaming is a disease when we think we can see our cure in it”. Follow the rules and have fun!