You just clicked on the QMRA logo of an iGaming information and/or comparison website. What does this mean? The website you visited is a member of our Quality Mark Responsible Affiliates (QMRA), active within one of our focus jurisdictions. QMRA approved websites (QMRA members) have been checked by our consultants. Compliance procedures for becoming a member are based upon the relevant legislation per jurisdiction. In all cases, responsible gambling is one of the most important factors that will be taken into account.

QMRA was launched as a follow up for well-known Dutch affiliate quality mark ‘Keurmerk Verantwoorde Affiliates – KVA’. KVA has an advisory board, of which high level Responsible Gambling Specialist Yvon Jansma is a member (CEO of the Dutch Addiction Prevention Organization ‘Centrum voor Verantwoord Gokken’). Through thorough advisement on addiction prevention policy and legislative knowledge of all QMRA jurisdictions, QMRA Compliance Officers are capable of ensuring the highest level of Responsible Gambling for all of its members.

So, the (iGaming information and/or comparison) website has been thoroughly checked on responsible gambling policy, honest information and balanced content. As a consumer, you now know you visited an established, high quality website with all checks in place to ensure responsible gambling. And to assist consumer visitors of QMRA additionally, we wil now provide more information on how to gamble responsible. First of all, we will go into how to recognize gambling addiction.

Recognize Gambling Addiction

Online gambling can be a lot of fun. But in some cases, it can become too much. You play too much, and/or lose too much money. In situations like these (and similar ones), you might wonder if you have a gambling problem. For the DSM-V (the Psychological guide on defining mental illness), the definition of Gambling Disorder is as follows:

“A. Persistent and recurrent problematic gambling behavior leading to clinically

significant impairment or distress, as indicated by the individual exhibiting four (or more) of the following in a 12-month period:

1. Needs to gamble with increasing amounts of money in order to achieve the desired excitement.
2. Is restless or irritable when attempting to cut down or stop gambling.
3. Has made repeated unsuccessful efforts to control, cut back, or stop gambling.
4. Is often preoccupied with gambling (e.g., having persistent thoughts of reliving past gambling experiences, handicapping or planning the next venture, thinking of ways to get money with which to gamble).
5. Often gambles when feeling distressed (e.g., helpless, guilty, anxious, depressed).
6. After losing money gambling, often returns another day to get even (“chasing” one’s losses).
7. Lies to conceal the extent of involvement with gambling.
8. Has jeopardized or lost a significant relationship, job, or educational or career opportunity because of gambling.
9. Relies on others to provide money to relieve desperate financial situations caused by gambling.
10. The gambling behavior is not better explained by a manic episode.”

In short: Gambling disorder is characterized by a persistent, problematic gambling behavior that leads to significant impairment or distress. Key signs include increasing betting amounts, failed attempts to stop, preoccupation with gambling, gambling to relieve distress, chasing losses, lying about gambling, and risking important relationships or opportunities.

Do you recognize some of the above symptoms or are you worried about your own gambling behavior in some other way? Do not hesitate to take action!

Self-help tools for reducing gambling

Are you afraid that your gambling behavior is getting out of hand, or do you just want to reduce your gambling? Then please try one or more of the following tips:

• Take regular breaks from gambling. For instance, decide to not gamble for a certain period of time to cool off. Most casino’s provide self exclusion tools. With these tools, you can take a ‘forced’ break from gambling for a couple of days, up to years.
• Do not gamble when you are feeling tired, sad or emotionally instable. Do not gamble when you are under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol.
• Keep track of your losses, to keep overview on your gambling behavior and the cost of it. This might provide insights.
• Before you start gambling, decide on a strict time limit and a budget for how much you are willing to spend. Stick to these limits no matter what happens during your gambling session.
• If you lose money, resist the urge to win it back by gambling more. Chasing losses often leads to more significant losses and can spiral into problematic behavior.
• Engage in other hobbies or activities that you enjoy, which can help distract you from the urge to gamble. Exercise, reading, or spending time with friends and family can be positive alternatives.
• Talk to someone you trust about your gambling habits. Whether it’s a friend, family member, or a professional counselor, having someone to confide in can help you stay accountable.
• Consider limiting your access to funds by asking someone you trust to manage your money temporarily or by setting up automatic transfers to savings accounts that you cannot easily access.
• Understand that gambling is based on chance, and the odds are always in favor of the house. Recognizing this can help you approach gambling with a more realistic mindset.

Seek help

First of all: do seek help whenever you think you need it. If you do not think self help tips will do anything for you, make sure to contact professional help as soon as possible. Initiatives like Gamblers Anonymous (or similar initiatives in your country) can make a real change.

Next to this, we would always advise you to contact your general practitioner (GP). The GP can refer you to the best facilities for gambling problems.

Do not feel ashamed to seek help.