Tips for responsible gambling

Site Name urges all to play responsibly. Keep lottery games entertaining and safe. Playing beyond your time and financial limits negatively impacts yourself and those around you. Remember:

• Gambling isn’t a way to make money.
• Play for fun – when the fun stops, so should you.
• Don’t gamble when you are depressed or upset.
• Balance gambling with other activities.
• Set a limit or budget and stick to it.
• Don’t borrow money to play.
• Don’t spend more money than you can afford.
• Don’t play to win back losses.
• Treat money spent on the lottery as an entertainment cost, like going to the movies.

Know the odds

• It’s very important that you understand the odds associated with each game. While the odds vary from game to game, the odds of winning all work the same way. We want our players to have fun when playing.

Problem gambling Q&A

Q: What is problem gambling?
A: Problem gambling includes all gambling behavior that damages personal, family or vocational pursuits. In extreme cases, problem gambling can result in financial ruin, legal problems, loss of career and family or suicide.

Q: Isn’t problem gambling just a financial issue?
A. No. Problem gambling is an emotional issue that has financial consequences. You can pay a problem gambler’s gambling debts, but the person will still be a problem gambler.

1. Who can become a problem gambler?
   A. Anyone who gambles can develop gambling problems if one is unaware of the risks.

2. Can you be a problem gambler even if you don’t gamble every day?
   A. The frequency of gambling does not determine if there is a problem.

3. Then how much money do you have to lose before gambling becomes a problem?
   A. The amount of money won or lost does not determine if there is a problem either. Gambling becomes a problem when it causes a negative impact on any area of the individual’s life.

4. Do casinos, lotteries and other types of gambling cause problem gambling?
   A. The cause of a gambling problem is the individual’s inability to control his or her gambling. A casino or lottery may provide the opportunity for a person to gamble, but it does not create the problem.

5. Then what is the responsibility of the gaming industry?
   A. Everyone who provides gambling opportunities has a responsibility to develop policies and programs to address underage and problem gambling issues.

Legal gaming age

• We are committed to preventing underage gaming. Lottery games are designed to be a fun, low-cost form of entertainment for those over the age of 18. Sure, Lottery tickets can make a great gift for birthdays, holidays, or other special events, but please remember they should only be given to, or played by, adults.

Do you have a gambling problem?

10 questions about gambling behavior
According to the National Council of Problem Gambling, most problem gamblers will answer yes to at least one of these questions.

1. Have you often gambled longer than you had planned?
2. Have you gambled until your last dollar was gone?
3. Have thoughts of gambling caused you to lose sleep?
4. Have you used your income or savings to gamble while letting bills go unpaid?
5. Have you attempted to stop gambling, but couldn’t?
6. Have you borrowed money to finance gambling?
7. Have you gambled to get money or to meet financial obligations?
8. Have you felt remorseful after gambling?
9. Have you felt depressed or suicidal because of gambling losses?
10. Have you broken the law or considered it to finance gambling?

Getting help

Problem gambling is a preventable and treatable disorder. If gambling is causing a problem for you or someone you know, help is available. Visit www.800gambler.org Or contact Gamblers Anonymous at www.gamblersanonymous.org.