How Do You Gamble Online
Many of PA’s major casinos have rolled out online casino sites. Online sports betting is live and active with DraftKings, FanDuel and Unibet to name a few. Players have the option of placing bets in person or online via the website and mobile app. Here’s a rundown of legal gambling options in PA. The steps you need to take in order to set limits will vary from online casino to online casino, but most will allow you to do so when you first create your account. You don’t have to do this, of course, and you can always set limits at a later date. This is how it is usually done: Log in to the online casino; Click into your player account. Firstly, you should know that you can never gamble legally online at a casino based in the United States. You must choose a casino based outside the States to gamble there legally. Secondly, the laws from state to state are very different. Wyoming, Alaska, Minnesota, and Idaho allow residents to gamble online with real wagers according to their state laws.
Are you or a loved one dealing with a gambling problem? Explore the warning signs and symptoms and learn how to stop.
What is gambling addiction and problem gambling?
Gambling problems can happen to anyone from any walk of life. Your gambling goes from a fun, harmless diversion to an unhealthy obsession with serious consequences. Whether you bet on sports, scratch cards, roulette, poker, or slots—in a casino, at the track, or online—a gambling problem can strain your relationships, interfere with work, and lead to financial disaster. You may even do things you never thought you would, like running up huge debts or even stealing money to gamble.
Gambling addiction—also known as pathological gambling, compulsive gambling or gambling disorder—is an impulse-control disorder. If you’re a compulsive gambler, you can’t control the impulse to gamble, even when it has negative consequences for you or your loved ones. You’ll gamble whether you’re up or down, broke or flush, and you’ll keep gambling regardless of the consequences—even when you know that the odds are against you or you can’t afford to lose.
Of course, you can also have a gambling problem without being totally out of control. Problem gambling is any gambling behavior that disrupts your life. If you’re preoccupied with gambling, spending more and more time and money on it, chasing losses, or gambling despite serious consequences in your life, you have a gambling problem.
A gambling addiction or problem is often associated with other behavior or mood disorders. Many problem gamblers also suffer with substance abuse issues, unmanaged ADHD, stress, depression, anxiety, or bipolar disorder. To overcome your gambling problems, you’ll also need to address these and any other underlying causes as well.
Although it may feel like you’re powerless to stop gambling, there are plenty of things you can do to overcome the problem, repair your relationships and finances, and finally regain control of your life.
The first step is to separate the myths from the facts about gambling problems:
| Myths and Facts about Gambling Problems |
Myth: You have to gamble every day to be a problem gambler. Fact: A problem gambler may gamble frequently or infrequently. Gambling is a problem if it causes problems. |
Myth: Problem gambling is not really a problem if the gambler can afford it. Fact: Problems caused by excessive gambling are not just financial. Too much time spent on gambling can also lead to relationship and legal problems, job loss, mental health problems including depression and anxiety, and even suicide. |
Myth: Having a gambling problem is just a case of being weak-willed, irresponsible, or unintelligent. Fact: Gambling problems affect people of all levels of intelligence and all backgrounds. Previously responsible and strong-willed people are just as likely to develop a gambling problem as anyone else. |
Myth: Partners of problem gamblers often drive their loved ones to gamble. Fact: Problem gamblers often try to rationalize their behavior. Blaming others is one way to avoid taking responsibility for their actions, including what is needed to overcome the problem. |
Myth: If a problem gambler builds up a debt, you should help them take care of it. Fact: Quick fix solutions may appear to be the right thing to do. However, bailing the gambler out of debt may actually make matters worse by enabling their gambling problems to continue. |
Gambling addiction signs and symptoms
Gambling addiction is sometimes referred to as a “hidden illness” because there are no obvious physical signs or symptoms like there are in drug or alcohol addiction. Problem gamblers also typically deny or minimize the problem—even to themselves. However, you may have a gambling problem if you:
Feel the need to be secretive about your gambling. You might gamble in secret or lie about how much you gamble, feeling others won’t understand or that you will surprise them with a big win.
Have trouble controlling your gambling. Once you start gambling, can you walk away? Or are you compelled to gamble until you’ve spent your last dollar, upping your bets in a bid to win lost money back?
Gamble even when you don’t have the money. You may gamble until you’ve spent your last dollar, and then move on to money you don’t have—money to pay bills, credit cards, or things for your children. You may feel pushed to borrow, sell, or even steal things for gambling money.
Have family and friends worried about you. Denial keeps problem gambling going. If friends and family are worried, listen to them carefully. It’s not a sign of weakness to ask for help. Many older gamblers are reluctant to reach out to their adult children if they’ve gambled away their inheritance, but it’s never too late to make changes for the better.
Self-help for gambling problems
How Do You Gamble Online
The biggest step to overcoming a gambling addiction is realizing that you have a problem. It takes tremendous strength and courage to own up to this, especially if you have lost a lot of money and strained or broken relationships along the way. Don’t despair, and don’t try to go it alone. Many others have been in your shoes and have been able to break the habit and rebuild their lives. You can, too.
Learn to relieve unpleasant feelings in healthier ways. Do you gamble when you’re lonely or bored? Or after a stressful day at work or following an argument with your spouse? Gambling may be a way to self-soothe unpleasant emotions, unwind, or socialize. But there are healthier and more effective ways of managing your moods and relieving boredom, such as exercising, spending time with friends who don’t gamble, taking up new hobbies, or practicing relaxation techniques.
Strengthen your support network. It’s tough to battle any addiction without support, so reach out to friends and family. If your support network is limited, there are ways to make new friends without relying on visiting casinos or gambling online. Try reaching out to colleagues at work, joining a sports team or book club, enrolling in an education class, or volunteering for a good cause.
Join a peer support group. Gamblers Anonymous, for example, is a 12-step recovery program patterned after Alcoholics Anonymous. A key part of the program is finding a sponsor, a former gambler who has experience remaining free from addiction and can provide you invaluable guidance and support.
Seek help for underlying mood disorders.Depression, stress, substance abuse, or anxiety can both trigger gambling problems and be made worse by compulsive gambling. Even when gambling is no longer a part of your life, these problems will still remain, so it’s important to address them.
How to stop gambling for good
For many problem gamblers, it’s not quitting gambling that’s the biggest challenge, but rather staying in recovery—making a permanent commitment to stay away from gambling. The Internet has made gambling far more accessible and, therefore, harder for recovering addicts to avoid relapse. Online casinos and bookmakers are open all day, every day for anyone with a smartphone or access to a computer. But maintaining recovery from gambling addiction or problem gambling is still possible if you surround yourself with people to whom you’re accountable, avoid tempting environments and websites, give up control of your finances (at least at first), and find healthier activities to replace gambling in your life.
Making healthier choices
One way to stop gambling is to remove the elements necessary for gambling to occur in your life and replace them with healthier choices. The four elements needed for gambling to continue are:
A decision: For gambling to happen, you need to make the decision to gamble. If you have an urge: stop what you are doing and call someone, think about the consequences to your actions, tell yourself to stop thinking about gambling, and find something else to do immediately.
Money: Gambling cannot occur without money. Get rid of your credit cards, let someone else be in charge of your money, have the bank make automatic payments for you, close online betting accounts, and keep only a limited amount of cash on you.
Time: Even online gambling cannot occur if you don’t have the time. Schedule enjoyable recreational time for yourself that has nothing to do with gambling. If you’re gambling on your smartphone, find other ways to fill the quiet moments during your day.
A game: Without a game or activity to bet on there is no opportunity to gamble. Don’t put yourself in tempting environments. Tell gambling establishments you frequent that you have a gambling problem and ask them to restrict you from entering. Remove gambling apps and block gambling sites on your smartphone and computer.
Finding alternatives to gambling
Maintaining recovery from gambling addiction depends a lot on finding alternative behaviors you can substitute for gambling. Some examples include:
| Reason for gambling | Sample substitute behaviors |
| To provide excitement, get a rush of adrenaline | Sport or a challenging hobby, such as mountain biking, rock climbing, or Go Kart racing |
| To be more social, overcome shyness or isolation | Counseling, enroll in a public speaking class, join a social group, connect with family and friends, volunteer, find new friends |
| To numb unpleasant feelings, not think about problems | Try therapy or use HelpGuide’s free Emotional Intelligence toolkit |
| Boredom or loneliness | Find something you’re passionate about such as art, music, sports, or books and then find others with the same interests |
| To relax after a stressful day | As little as 15 minutes of daily exercise can relieve stress. Or deep breathing, meditation, or massage |
| To solve money problems | The odds are always stacked against you so it’s far better to seek help with debts from a credit counselor |
Dealing with gambling cravings
Feeling the urge to gamble is normal, but as you build healthier choices and a strong support network, resisting cravings will become easier. When a gambling craving strikes:
Avoid isolation. Call a trusted family member, meet a friend for coffee, or go to a Gamblers Anonymous meeting.
Postpone gambling. Tell yourself that you’ll wait 5 minutes, fifteen minutes, or an hour. As you wait, the urge to gamble may pass or become weak enough to resist.
Visualize what will happen if you give in to the urge to gamble. Think about how you’ll feel after all your money is gone and you’ve disappointed yourself and your family again.
Distract yourself with another activity, such as going to the gym, watching a movie, or practicing a relaxation exercise for gambling cravings.
Coping with lapses
If you aren’t able to resist the gambling craving, don’t be too hard on yourself or use it as an excuse to give up. Overcoming a gambling addiction is a tough process. You may slip from time to time; the important thing is to learn from your mistakes and continue working towards recovery.
Gambling addiction treatment
Overcoming a gambling problem is never easy and seeking professional treatment doesn’t mean that you’re weak in some way or can’t handle your problems. But it’s important to remember that every gambler is unique so you need a recovery program tailored specifically to your needs and situation. Talk to your doctor or mental health professional about different treatment options, including:
Inpatient or residential treatment and rehab programs. These are aimed at those with severe gambling addiction who are unable to avoid gambling without round-the-clock support.
Treatment for underlying conditions contributing to your compulsive gambling, including substance abuse or mental health problems such as depression, anxiety, OCD, or ADHD. This could include therapy, medication, and lifestyle changes. Problem gambling can sometimes be a symptom of bipolar disorder, so your doctor or therapist may need to rule this out before making a diagnosis.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy. CBT for gambling addiction focuses on changing unhealthy gambling behaviors and thoughts, such as rationalizations and false beliefs. It can also teach you how to fight gambling urges and solve financial, work, and relationship problems caused by problem gambling. Therapy can provide you with the tools for coping with your addiction that will last a lifetime.
Family therapy and marriage, career, and credit counseling. These can help you work through the specific issues that have been created by your problem gambling and lay the foundation for repairing your relationships and finances.
How to help someone stop gambling
If your loved one has a gambling problem, you likely have many conflicting emotions. You may have spent a lot of time and energy trying to keep your loved one from gambling or having to cover for them. At the same time, you might be furious at your loved one for gambling again and tired of trying to keep up the charade. Your loved one may have borrowed or even stolen money with no way to pay it back. They may have sold family possessions or run up huge debts on joint credit cards.
While compulsive and problem gamblers need the support of their family and friends to help them in their struggle to stop gambling, the decision to quit has to be theirs. As much as you may want to, and as hard as it is seeing the effects, you cannot make someone stop gambling. However, you can encourage them to seek help, support them in their efforts, protect yourself, and take any talk of suicide seriously.
Preventing suicide in problem gamblers
When faced with the consequences of their actions, problem gamblers can suffer a crushing drop in self-esteem. This is one reason why there is a high rate of suicide among compulsive gamblers. If you suspect your loved one is feeling suicidal, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline in the U.S. at 1-800-273-8255 or visit Befrienders Worldwide to find a suicide helpline in your country.
Four tips for family members:
- Start by helping yourself. You have a right to protect yourself emotionally and financially. Don’t blame yourself for the gambler’s problems or let his or her addiction dominate your life. Ignoring your own needs can be a recipe for burnout.
- Don’t go it alone. It can feel so overwhelming coping with a loved one’s gambling addiction that it may seem easier to rationalize their requests “this one last time.” Or you might feel ashamed, feeling like you are the only one who has problems like this. Reaching out for support will make you realize that many families have struggled with this problem.
- Set boundaries in managing money. To ensure the gambler stays accountable and to prevent relapse, consider taking over the family finances. However, this does not mean you are responsible for micromanaging the problem gambler’s impulses to gamble. Your first responsibilities are to ensure that your own finances and credit are not at risk.
- Consider how you will handle requests for money. Problem gamblers often become very good at asking for money, either directly or indirectly. They may use pleading, manipulation, or even threats to get it. It takes practice to ensure you are not enabling your loved one’s gambling addiction.
| Do’s and Don’ts for Partners of Problem Gamblers |
| Do… |
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| Don’t… |
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Intro:The best online casinos are hugely popular because they make playing your old favorites and finding new casino games easy and convenient. Sure, you play for the fun of it but nothing beats winning real money. To do this, you need to learn all about casino deposits and withdrawals. It’s simple and easy – here’s how.
How To Gamble Online In Texas
There are a few steps involved in making a deposit at an online casino. Once you’ve made your deposit, you can play your choice of casino games and make withdrawals when your winnings come in. It’s simple and easy to do, especially if you have a guide that sets it all out for you. Let’s get started with five simple steps to making a deposit.
How to make a casino deposit
To start playing online casino games for real money, you’ll need to put something in first. This will be your first deposit. You’ve already chosen a secure and reputable casino and followed the simple steps to opening an account. Now you’re ready to make your first deposit. You can deposit funds into your online gaming account, directly from your bank account, or use your preferred credit or debit card.
- Once you have created your account, you will be directed to the online cashier or cashier section.
- Choose your preferred payment method from those listed on-screen (we’ll go into more details about these once we’ve gone through these steps).
- If you haven’t already filled out personal details such as your address when you set up your account, you might be asked to do this now.
- Enter the amount you want to deposit and your account password.
- Hit “submit” or “deposit” and voila! – funds are transferred to your casino bankroll and you’re ready to start playing your choice of games. While some deposits are instant, other payments like bank transfers and cheques can take longer to process.
Payment Methods
As an online gambler, you can choose how you want to pay to play. Before deciding, consider the cost of using a particular payment method (credit/debit cards and bank transfers usually cost more), as well as the reputation of the institution that provides that method of payment. Consider how easy it is to transfer funds, including the length of time it takes to make deposits and withdrawals.
The best casinos with solid online reputations encrypt sensitive data on their sites to prevent theft of your personal information and credit card details. A reputable casino will always keep your personal account money separate from the casino’s operating costs.
Here is our list of the most popular and secure payment methods used by our players.
VIP Preferred e-check
VIP Preferred™ ACH/e-Check is the preferred deposit method at BetMGM.com. You simply provide your driver’s license number, your bank’s routing number, and your account number. Funds will be transferred, directly, from your bank account to your BetMGM NJ account. This payment method is quick, simple, and easy to use.
Play+
The BetMGM Prepaid Play+ account is the preferred method for making instant deposits to your BetMGM account. To enroll online and fund your account using a credit card, debit card or bank transfer, all you have to do is log into your account and select “Prepaid Play+” from the Cashier. Keep in mind that additional costs and/or fees may be assessed by your card issuer in line with your cardholder agreement.
MasterCard and Visa
You can use your VISA or MasterCard credit or debit card to deposit into your BetMGM account. Before deciding to use this method, check with your bank because some banks do not process credit or debit card transactions for online gaming. There may also be additional costs or fees assessed by your card issuer – this will be set out in your cardholder agreement.
PayPal
You can use your PayPal account to make a deposit via your PayPal Cash and PayPal Cash Plus account balance.
Electronic Transfer
You can use a pre-established online banking account with the “Bill Pay” function enabled to transfer funds to your BetMGM NJ account.
PayNearMe
PayNearMe allows you to fund your BetMGM account with cash at local stores like 7-Eleven. You will have a PayCode sent to your email or phone, then go to your chosen store and use cash to make a deposit.
Borgata
You can visit the cashier window at Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa resort in Atlantic City, New Jersey to fund your BetMGM account in cash. You will need to provide your government-issued ID and online gaming account information to make a deposit.
Skrill
Like PayPal, Skrill is an e-wallet. You can sign up at Skrill.com to transfer funds to your BetMGM NJ account using a credit card or bank transfer. Keep in mind that Skrill will charge transaction fees when depositing funds into your Skrill account and withdrawing funds out of the account.
American Express
You can use your American Express-branded card to fund your account. Corporate travel cards, prepaid cards, small business cards, and bank co-branded cards will not be accepted. There may also be additional costs and/or fees – these will be set out in your cardholder agreement.
Deposit bonuses
A deposit or welcome bonus can be offered to new players when they register for the first time on a gambling site. Usually, you have to deposit your own funds before you can play with a welcome bonus. The reward can be an additional 50% or 100% of the first deposit you make into your site account, with a maximum bonus amount of course.
A deposit bonus will have certain conditions attached to it. This can be a wagering requirement (the number of times you must play before making a withdrawal from your online account), a maximum cashout amount, or you may be able to play only certain types of casino gameswith a welcome bonus. This is a great way to add something extra to your bankroll.
How to make a casino withdrawal
Withdrawing your winnings is easy. Trusted casinos will always ask for ID when you cashout to make sure you’re the legal age and haven’t been banned from the site. It’s unlikely that you’ll be charged a cash-out winnings withdrawal fee.
- Go to the cashier section. This will give you your total funds and how much of your available balance you can withdraw. If your welcome bonus isn’t reflected in funds available for withdrawal, it could be that you haven’t met the wagering requirements yet.
- Pick the withdrawal method you want to use.
- Fill in the amount you want to withdraw along with your casino password.
- Click on the “submit” button and hey presto! – your withdrawal will be processed. Make sure you have your ID because you might be asked to produce it at this point.
Advice on managing your bankroll
There’s nothing that beats the thrill of winning real money. The key to staying in control of your bankroll is keeping a healthy perspective on winning and losing. This means keeping track of your playing patterns as well as your moods and emotions. This way, you’ll be able to make smarter gambling decisions instead of heated ones.
Start by getting on top of the numbers. You don’t have to be a math whiz to keep track of your wins and losses for each session. These numbers will let you know how much you can afford to lose. They’ll also show how often you win when you’re worried or tired. Next, set your casino budget – this amount should be your absolute limit, not a guideline.
One of our best pieces of advice is to keep your deposit intact so you’re never tempted to place larger, riskier bets while you’re still building your bankroll. When you stick to withdrawing just a part of your winnings (experts say this should be just a bit more than your starting budget) you’ll never lose all your profits.
Get playing today!
Now that you know all about deposits and withdrawals, put yourself in the running to win real money by making BetMGM your one-stop online casino. With one of the widest selections of games to captivate, engage and entertain the most demanding gambler, we’re one of the best online games and sportsbook casinos out there. We offer you only the best in live online casino gaming with unmatched rewards and bonuses. Visit us today and start playing.