At Goldrush Wonderpark, we prioritise responsible gambling, ensuring that gaming remains an enjoyable activity without causing harm to yourself or others. But what does it truly mean to gamble responsibly, especially in today’s digital age, where gambling is often just a click away?
Responsible gambling involves staying in control of your gambling habits and ensuring that it:
- Fits within your financial means: Gamble only with money you can afford to lose and never use funds meant for necessities like food or bills.
- Doesn’t dominate your life: Balance gambling with other leisure and social activities to avoid it becoming all-consuming.
- Stays within set limits: Decide in advance how much money and time you will spend and stick to those limits.
- Avoids emotional triggers: Don’t gamble when you’re feeling bored, anxious, or upset.
- Avoids risky behaviour: Never borrow money, use credit cards to gamble, or gamble under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
With the rise of online gambling, it’s even more important to stay in control. Here are some additional tips to keep online gambling safe and responsible:
- Only use websites that allow you to set daily spending limits.
- Avoid having multiple online gambling accounts.
- Disable automatic logins and delete accounts if you feel you’re losing control.
Gambling can shift from entertainment to a concern when it begins to negatively impact your life. Signs of problem gambling include:
- Needing to gamble with increasing amounts of money to feel the same excitement.
- Feeling restless or irritable when trying to stop gambling.
- Frequently thinking about gambling or planning your next session.
- Chasing losses by gambling more to recover what you’ve lost.
- Lying to friends or family to hide the extent of your gambling.
- Relying on others for financial support due to gambling losses.
- Jeopardising relationships, work, or opportunities because of gambling.
If you recognise these signs in yourself or someone you know, it’s important to seek help immediately.
Seeking Help
Help is available for those struggling with gambling-related harm. The South African Responsible Gambling Foundation (SARGF) offers confidential support 24/7.
- Toll-Free Helpline: 0800 006 008
- WhatsApp: Send “HELP” to 076 675 0710
These services provide access to professional counselling, financial advice, and tools for self-exclusion to regain control of your gambling.
Keeping Gambling Fun
At Goldrush Wonderpark, we encourage our patrons to approach gambling as a fun and controlled activity. Set limits, know your boundaries, and never let gambling interfere with your financial security or relationships.
If you or someone you know is struggling, don’t hesitate to reach out for support. Gambling should always be an enjoyable pastime, and help is always available to keep it that way.
Play responsibly. Winners know when to stop.