Gambling is considered one of the oldest forms of entertainment. Nevertheless, it is very important to know how to gamble responsibly. Gambling is a safe activity as long as the person is in control of their actions and within their limits. Meanwhile, if a person loses control and overindulge in gambling, an addiction to gambling can develop, which can lead to many problems for both the player and their family. A person who does not know how to gamble responsibly and who has a gambling addiction can lose a lot of money or other assets in a short period of time, become involved in a financial debt, suffer from health problems, deteriorate relationships with people around them, have a loss of productivity or suffer in other areas of life. It is therefore very important to have self-control, to know how to set limits and to follow the rules of responsible gambling. 

What are the warning signs that gambling is becoming a problem?

• When a person's personal life is affected by an unrestrained gambling habit;
• When a person can't stop gambling and all their thoughts turn to gambling, they are constantly thinking about their past gambling, planning their next gamble and thinking about how to get money to gamble;
• When a person loses all their wealth and gets into huge debt;
• When a person spends all their time on gambling and neglects other activities in their life, they lose their job, relationships, education or career, and fail to fulfil their responsibilities;
• When a person becomes agitated, unhappy, depressed and behaves impulsively and unpredictably, develops a range of emotional disorders, insomnia, depression and obsessive-compulsive personality disorder;
• It reduces the quality of a person's life and impairs their physical and mental health;
• When a person often gambles when they feel emotionally agitated (e.g. depressed, anxious, helpless, guilty);
• Winning brings a lot of joy and losing brings huge disappointment;
• Gambling becomes a way of escaping personal problems;
• In order to experience the excitement, a person starts gambling with larger and larger sums of money and can't stop;
• A person becomes anxious or agitated when trying to reduce or stop their gambling;
• The person has tried unsuccessfully many times to stop or reduce their gambling, but has failed to do so;
• After losing a certain amount of money, the person keeps returning to gambling with the aim of winning back the losses;
• A person starts to gamble even if they don’t have any money;
• A person hides their bills and letters about debts from family and loved ones;
• The person often lies or hides the fact that they are gambling and avoids discussing the subject;
• A person feels guilt and shame about gambling;
• Friends and family feel concerned about a person's gambling.

Financial signs that a person may have a gambling addiction:

• Loss of money;
• Disappearance of valuable items in the home;
• Lack of money while living a stable life;
• Taking out loans;
• Unpaid bills and taxes;
• Borrowing money regularly;
• Hiding financial records.
• Emotional and behavioral signs:
• Personality change;
• Manipulative behavior;
• Being angry for no reason;
• Depressed and low moods;
• Using lies to control others.

If you detect traits consistent with your behavior, you should be concerned about pathological gambling and gambling addiction. Gambling addiction is called ludomania (the name comes from the Latin word Ludus, meaning game). It is an exaggerated, morbid craving for gambling – cards, slot machines, betting, totalizator, etc. The urge to gamble overwhelms a person to the point where he or she loses common sense and disregards all obligations -professional, personal or social.

It is worth noting that there are three types of dangerous gamblers:

At-risk gambler is a person who is at increased risk of problem gambling behavior compared to most gamblers. An at-risk gambler engages in gambling on a regular and substantial basis. Despite the above, gambling does not affect the gambler's life.
A problem gambler is a person whose gambling causes problems in his or her life in one way or another, but the gambler still feels and has control. A problem gambler usually spends a lot of money and time gambling and planning a gambling strategy.
A compulsive gambler is a person who has a serious gambling problem that has serious negative consequences in their life. Gambling becomes a serious addiction.
Gambling addiction is classified as a behavioral addiction. The behavior is often used to numb negative emotions, to improve one's emotional state and to experience satisfaction.

It is worth noting that gambling addiction stems from consumers' lack of knowledge about the activity itself and the chances of winning. In order to avoid the risks and dangers involved, it is necessary to contribute to consumer awareness. Prevention can be carried out in the following ways:

• Transparency of information – providing correct information about the gambling rules, the chances of winning, and reporting misleading winnings;
• Monitoring gamblers' behavior – providing them with information on how much money they have spent playing, how much time they have spent gambling, and the balance of money won and lost;
• Emphasizing that gambling is a form of entertainment, not a way to make money;
• Raising awareness of the risks and threats of problem gambling;
• Providing self-monitoring tests to determine the level of involvement in gambling;
• Enabling gambling operators and staff to get involved in the prevention of problem gambling;
• Designating a member of staff to be responsible for problem gambling.

 

Tips for responsible gambling
Despite all the negative factors that are associated with gambling addiction, there are many ways and means to play safely and responsibly. By following these rules and tips, many problems are avoided and gambling becomes a safe and enjoyable pastime that brings positive emotions. 

Tips for safe gambling:

• Avoid gambling when you are angry, lonely, upset, depressed or experiencing other negative emotions;
• Do not play when you are under the influence of alcohol or other substances and cannot think or control your actions;
• See gambling as entertainment, not as a way to get rich or make money;
• Remember that there is always a risk of losing;
• Don't chase your winnings by making bigger bets to get your winnings back;
• Set time and money limits that you will stick to and not exceed;
• Only play with the money you have, don't borrow and don't become financially dependent on others;
• Take regular breaks and distance yourself from gambling by engaging in other enjoyable activities that are not related to gambling;
• Freeze your gaming account from time to time;
• Create balance in your life, do not neglect other areas of your life;
• Familiarize yourself with problem gambling and become able to identify the warning signs;
• If necessary, seek professional help.

 

The following tips will help you maintain a healthy attitude towards gambling and successfully manage your risks without becoming a gambling addict.

To understand whether you have a healthy attitude towards gambling, you need to ask yourself the following questions:

• Do you think that gambling is just one of many entertainment activities?
• Are your bets within your means? Are they reasonable and calculated?
• Do you find it easy to stop gambling?
• Do you understand that winning can be fun, but it's not everything?
• Do you accept that losing can be disappointing, but it's not the end of the world?

People who use safe gambling strategies tend to see gambling as just one of many forms of entertainment. They incorporate gambling into their household budgets by setting spending limits and sticking to them. They do not expect to get back the money they have lost and do not see gambling as a way to make money. It is important to remember that all gambling activities have risks, and in order to enjoy safer gambling, you need to be aware of the risks and how you can reduce them.
It is also worth noting that responsible gambling includes not only problem gambling and addictions, but also gambling in unsafe casinos. If you are considering trying out a new casino, always check whether the casino is licensed and whether you can find links to responsible gambling associations on their website. You will then be assured that you are playing at a safe casino and will always have access to the help you need. 
Often, players run into problems when they win large sums of money and their confidence grows, the bets they place are reckless, and then, after losing several times, they lose not only everything they have won, but also additional amounts. There is then a strong desire to regain all that has been lost, and in a short space of time a person can become addicted to gambling. 
Discipline and adherence to certain principles are key to avoid problem gambling. When gambling, always set a specific amount of money that you will spend on gambling and do not deviate from the amount of money you have set. Decide how much time you will spend gambling and do not exceed the time limit you have set. Set clear and specific limits which you will strictly adhere to. This will help you to stay in control and avoid falling into a cycle of addiction. 
It is also advisable to avoid playing under the influence of alcohol, as drunkenness can cause you to make decisions that you will eventually regret. 
Another tip is not gamble with the aim of boosting your mood. If you are feeling depressed, don't use gambling as a way to feel better. Stay away from gambling if you need a mood boost. 
In other words, gambling responsibly means that you take breaks from gambling, you don't use betting as a source of livelihood, you only play with the amount of money you can lose, and you use limits: both in terms of your time and finances.
  

Safe gambling resources and tools
With the right understanding of gambling, it is possible to play safely and responsibly. The following safe gambling resources are identified to help control gambling:

Setting limits – this tool allows you to set limits on the amount of time you spend playing, the amount of money you deposit, the amount of money you bet, and other limits. Setting a limit provides protection against loss of control.

It is always recommended to set limits for gambling. This limit is set in the player's account. Limits can be set per day, per week, per month. At the request of the player, the possibility of increasing the gambling limits should be considered at the earliest after 48 hours. Meanwhile, if the gambling limits are reduced, the changes should take effect immediately. 

In addition, once you have set your maximum bet amount, you can also set a limit on your losses. Set a limit on how much you will lose before you stop playing altogether. Setting and sticking to a losing limit will protect you from losing too much money. The most important thing is that you stick to the limits you have set and do not exceed them. 

Article 20 of the Law on Gambling of the Republic of Lithuania 6 states:

• The gambler shall have the right to submit a written request to the company specifying one or more of the restrictions imposed on the requesting gambler's participation in remote gambling. The gambler may specify a requirement (or a number of requirement) in the request:
• Limit the maximum amount of money a gambler can bet in a given period or during a single continuous gambling session;
• Limit the maximum amount per bet;
• To set a time limit for a single gambling session in which the gambler gambles continuously (without interruption) from the start of the gambling session, after which the gambler's access to remote gambling shall be terminated.

The gambling operator must enforce these restrictions.

Information on the length of time the remote gambler has been participating in gambling, the total sum of bets placed and the current result of his/her game (win or loss) must be clearly displayed at all times throughout the gambling session.

Account freeze – This tool helps you take a break from gambling by preventing you from using your gaming account for a certain period of time. This tool allows you to disconnect and relax, and if you decide to return to gambling, you still have the option to unblock your account. 

Account closure – This is an extreme, radical measure that should be taken if you feel that your gambling cravings are getting out of control. Permanently closing your account gives you the security and peace of mind that you will avoid problem gambling.

 

The following restrictions apply to gambling on our website:

Deposits may be limited during the following periods:
1 day; 1 week; 1 month.

Limit on the amount per bet:
There is no period.

Limiting the amount bet per period:
The restriction period is 1 week.

Bet amounts per login:
There is no period.

Limiting continuous playing time:
Period 1 hour, 3 hours, 5 hours, remove limit.

Limitation on losing bets:
Period 1 day, 1 week, 1 month.

Temporary blocking of access:
24 hours, 48 hours, 1 week, 1 month.

 

The Twinsbet Customer Service Centre is available to help you with any questions you may have regarding our services – setting limits, blocking your account, etc. If you have any questions, comments, requests, preferences or require our assistance, please contact us at: [email protected]

 

Minors and gambling
The current Gambling Act prohibits people under the age of 21 from gambling in casinos, while other gambling activities such as slot machines, betting and totalizator are prohibited under the age of 18. It is worth noting that younger people are still financially dependent on their parents and gambling at a young age can have negative consequences. Gambling is based on chance, but some online gambling can look like video games and apps which require skill. For minors, it may seem like a fun activity and some young players may think that gambling also involves skill. This may give them unrealistic or false beliefs about the possibility of winning. 

As gambling for minors is strictly prohibited by law, all players are required to show proof of age – a passport, ID card or driving license – before registering online or entering a gambling outlet. If this requirement is not respected or if the rules on minors' participation in gambling are violated, the relevant authorities will be notified and all winnings will be cancelled. 

Where can I get help for gambling addiction?
Gambling problems can happen to anyone when gambling turns from a fun, harmless activity into an obsession with serious consequences. Gambling addiction is a disorder in which a person cannot control the impulse to gamble, even if it has negative consequences for them and their family. 
Although it may sometimes seem that a person is incapable of overcoming problem gambling, there are many things that can be done to overcome the problem, to get your finances in order, to manage your relationships with loved ones, and to regain control of your life. So, there are a number of remedies available to help with gambling addiction and problem gambling.

The first step in overcoming a problem is to realize that it exists. It may seem difficult, especially after losing a large sum of money or losing relationships with people close to you, but you need to realize that you can always rebuild your life.

Another way to overcome a gambling addiction is to find healthier ways to relieve unpleasant feelings or emotions. You need to analyze what drives you to engage in pathological gambling – whether it is a desire to escape from personal problems or to quell negative emotions, to relax after a hard day, to get an adrenaline rush. Gambling can be a way to relieve stress, relax or socialize. However, there are healthier and more beneficial ways to manage negative emotions, such as playing sport, spending time with friends who do not gamble, taking up new hobbies or trying other relaxation methods.

If you feel that you are struggling to control yourself and that gambling is the only thing on your mind, the Gaming Control Authority (LPT) can help you. It was the first organization to give problem gamblers the opportunity to sign a special application for a voluntary decision not to gamble. It is worth noting that this institution not only helps the gambler, but also his/her relatives – the aim of the mutual support group they have initiated is to help the relatives to understand and support the gambler on his/her long road to recovery. On its website, the LPT provides a self-assessment questionnaire, the answers to which allow the user to assess his/her condition as a gambler.

Contact details for the Gaming Control Authority: 
tel. (8-5) 233 62 46
http://lpt.lrv.lt/
[email protected]

 

To block your access to gambling companies' websites, you can try this link, which allows you to block your account through an e-Government gateway: 

Block yourself here

 

Once the app is installed, you can select and specify which websites you want to block. The application also allows you to set a time period during which access to the selected websites will be blocked. Once the blocking has been activated, you will not be able to access the websites again until the end of the set blocking period. Another way to get help is to contact organizations or support groups that help those addicted to gambling. 
If you need advice on problem gambling, the following websites are recommended:
www.pagalbasau.lt 
http://nebenoriu-losti.lt 
Here you can get information and emotional support for gamblers suffering from gambling addiction and their families.

You can also seek help for problem gambling by contacting the relevant organizations that provide support services. One such organisation is Gambling Therapy. This is an international organization that provides help to people with gambling problems. Their website can be found here: https://www.gamblingtherapy.org/lt/ 

Another organization that offers help to addicted gamblers is https://www.begambleaware.org/ This organization offers confidential help and support to anyone who is worried about their gambling habits. 

There is also an app developed by GamblingTherapy.org that gives access to self-assessment questionnaires, direct support, mindfulness exercises, crisis support and more. This app and all the help it contains is free and easily accessible at any time.  

In summary, there are many tools and support options available to help solve all gambling-related problems. If you think you need help, contact immediately.

Gamble safely and responsibly!