Responsible Gaming – Tips, Warning Signs, And Getting Help

Responsible Play

Lottery Geeks encourages responsible play for all site visitors and lottery players. As part of our commitment, we have partnered with Birches Health, a leading national provider of responsible gaming resources and specialized gambling addiction virtual treatment. 

Responsible Play Tips for the Lottery

Playing the lottery can be an enjoyable form of casual entertainment for many people. When playing responsibly and sustainably, individuals know their limits and are able to stop when they choose. Players are empowered to build healthy habits by learning the recommended practices below:

1. Goals: When playing the lottery, it should not be viewed as a profit-making activity. Lottery odds indicate that winning money long term is very unlikely. 
2. Budget: Choose a lottery budget for a set period of time and stick to it. This should be an amount you are comfortable losing entirely with no impact on your financial wellbeing. 
3. Understand: Read the rules to fully understand how a lottery game works before you potentially play.
4. Funds: Always play the lottery with your own money, not borrowed funds.
5. Sobriety: Do not play the lottery when you’ve been drinking or aren’t fully sober.
6. Tilting: Avoid the lottery while in a highly emotional state. Feeling stressed? Upset? Anxious? Down? If the answer to any of these is “yes,” you should not be playing. 
7. Chasing: Never chase losses by trying to win back what was lost. You are never “due” for a lottery win.
8. Signs: Learn the signs of at-risk problem gambling behaviors, so you can spot them in yourself or others and get the support needed. 

Signs of a Gambling Problem

If you, a friend or loved one is displaying any of the warning signs of a gambling problem, get a free consultation with a problem gambling specialist from Birches Health. Signs to look out for:

• Increased frequency or amount of lottery plays: If an individual begins to play the lottery more frequently or starts to increase the amount of money they are risking when doing so, that could be a sign of a problem.
• Borrowing money: Individuals with a gambling problem may begin to borrow money to fund their lottery habit, often due to debts or other financial troubles. 
• Inability to stop: If a person has tried to stop or cut back on their lottery play but finds themselves unable to do so, it could be a sign of a serious issue.
• Chasing losses: An individual addicted to gambling may buy more lottery tickets to try to recoup losses.
• Hiding or lying about lottery activity: A person dealing with a gambling problem may hide or lie about their lottery habits, at times due to feeling ashamed or embarrassed by their behaviors.

Lottery and Gambling Addiction treatment

Learning and following best practices for Responsible Gaming can help reduce the chances of lottery play potentially turning into a problem. However, it doesn’t eliminate that possibility completely. And even if you are playing responsibly, it doesn’t mean that a friend or family member is doing so too. Therefore, knowing and spreading awareness of Gambling Addiction support resources is important. If you or someone you know may be struggling with a gambling problem, there are specialized care options available.

Lottery Geeks’ partner Birches Health is a modern, digital treatment provider that has a nationwide team of specially trained clinicians to help individuals dealing with gambling addiction and related problems. Birches offers free consultations, confidential referrals and personalized treatment from the comfort of home.

If you or someone you know may benefit from talking with a Birches Health care specialist, click here, call (833) 483-3838 or email hello@bircheshealth.com