Gambling is a form of entertainment with risks involved. The majority of the adult population can participate in gambling in a responsible and controlled manner. Unfortunately it has been proven that a minority of players experience difficulty gambling responsibly. The GCB strongly advises all players to be well-informed about how to gamble responsibly and the possible harms one may experience due to gambling before engaging in it. This is to avoid unpleasant situations and the possible negative effects of gambling.
These questions can help you determine if you have problematic gambling behavior or a gambling addiction. Although it can vary from person to person, in general, if three or more of the following statements apply to you, we encourage you to seek help:
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I often worry about my gambling behavior.
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My family or friends think that I gamble too much and they are worried.
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Gambling comes always first, after gambling I have time for any other activity or for my family and friends.
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Afterwards I often regret that I gambled too much.
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I sometimes play to regain my losses.
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Gambling is my only way to gain money.
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I often think about gambling even when I am busy doing other things.
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I find myself spending more and more time and more money on gambling, more than I would like to.
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I have tried many times but I cannot stop gambling.
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I sometimes have to borrow money to gamble.
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I often have to lie about my gambling behavior.
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I have serious financial problems and problems within my family and/or at work due to gambling.
There are three phases of pathological gambling
1. The winning phase: Gambling is just entertainment for the gambler. However, winning is not seen as a coincidence, but as an achievement. Losing is just bad luck that can be remedied.
2. The losing phase: The gambler’s behavior is geared towards recovery of losses. Work and family are increasingly being neglected and in many cases debt is being incurred. Entertainment is not the primary driver to gamble.
3. The desperation phase: The gambler is completely absorbed by gambling and socially isolated and can even show criminal behavior.
Short term risk
The primary short-term risk is that a gambler can lose large amounts of money in a short time. Because the gambler may lose him or herself in the game he or she can wager more money than initially planned.
Long term risks
• Money problems
• Physical problems
• Study and work problems
• Social problems
HELP is always available to mitigate gambling related harm!
For Curaçao residents only
De GCB strongly encourages all residents of Curacao that experience negative effects due to gambling, to seek help and reach out to Fundashon pa Maneho di Adikshon (FMA).
FMA provides besides information on gambling addiction, also gambling addiction counseling and treatment to the person who needs help controlling their gambling behavior.
Fundashon pa Maneho di Adikshon (FMA)
Adress: Oosterbeekstraat 11, Shèr Asil
Telephone: 461-5977 - 670-5544
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.fma-curacao.com
Facebook/Instagram: FMA Curacao
Office hours: 8:00 am – 12:00 pm and 13:00 pm – 17:00 pm
For foreigners
De GCB strongly encourages foreigners that experience negative effects due to gambling to seek help and reach out to a gambling addiction helpline or gambling treatment facility in their country of residence.