Excessive gambling can be harmful and may lead to addiction!

Playing is a source of joy. Every person needs entertainment and the thrill that comes with gaming. When we gamble, we spend money in hopes of winning a prize. The thrill of risk and the possibility of achieving small, large, or even dream-like winnings make gambling attractive.

Responsible Gaming

For most people, gambling is a form of entertainment. However, for some, it can be dangerous. Excessive gambling can lead to gambling addiction, which has many negative consequences. A responsible gambler only spends as much as they can afford, knowing that winning is purely a matter of chance, and there is no guaranteed system.

Gambling Addiction

Some people are unable to stop playing, which can become a compulsive behavior. They play again and again, either to win or to recover the money they have already lost. Those who gamble excessively or are deeply immersed in the game may lose their ability to make rational decisions about how much and how long to play.
Problematic gamblers cause serious issues for themselves and their surroundings. They lie and make excuses to hide the truth, such as their monthly earnings from gambling. They can damage family and friendship relationships because the urge to gamble becomes more important than any other connection. They may even lose their livelihood because they gamble away their essential funds. For individuals prone to gambling addiction, the dependency develops unnoticed. They often realize too late that they are facing increasingly serious problems.

A person is considered to have a gambling disorder when excessive gambling causes life-quality disruptions—hindering work or studies, destroying family relationships. It’s also a sign of addiction when someone can no longer control how much time and money they spend on gambling. Gambling addiction is a serious illness, with genetic factors and various personality traits contributing to its development.

Severe consequences of gambling addiction may include:

Financial hardship and increasing debt
Loss of employment or housing
Family and relationship problems
Conflicts with friends and acquaintances
Giving up hobbies and interests
Loneliness and isolation
Loss of joy in life, development of depression
Committing crimes (theft, fraud, embezzlement to cover losses from gambling)

Self-Limitation

The online gaming system of Szerencsejáték Zrt. increasingly allows players to set their own limits on gambling. After logging in, players can use the “Self-Limitation” menu to set daily and weekly spending caps for that game. Setting this limit is not mandatory but is recommended as a voluntary measure by responsible gaming organizers. It helps prevent the player from losing control and overspending. Use self-limitation and be a partner in responsible gaming!