Playing games of chance should be fun! It offers the excitement of taking a risk in order to win. A responsible gamer understands the risk associated with playing games of chance; the risk of losing. To be a responsible gamer, it is essential to set limits for your losses. Playing games of chance is an entertainment cost and should be part of your disposable income. When your “fun” money is exhausted, it’s time to stop playing.

Sometimes it’s just not a good idea to gamble.
If you find yourself in the following situations or experiencing these emotions, don’t do it.

• When in recovery from compulsive/pathological gambling, or from other addictions such as chemical or alcohol dependency.
• When gambling is going to interfere with your work or personal responsibilities.
• When the form of gambling is illegal.
• When trying to make a “quick buck” or to make up for gambling loss.
• When feeling lonely, angry, depressed or under stress.
• When coping with the death or the loss of a loved one.
• When trying to solve personal or family problems.

Problem gambling, also known as compulsive or pathological gambling, is recognized as a disease and a sickness. The American Psychiatric Association defines pathological gambling as “an impulse control disorder that is a chronic and progressive mental illness.” The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders offers some clues to help ascertain whether or not a person may have a problem with gambling. If a person has experienced at least five of the following criteria, he or she should consider seeking professional mental health services.

• Preoccupation: When a person has consistent or frequent thoughts about the act of gambling.
• Tolerance: Similar to drug tolerance, the person requires larger or more frequent wagers to experience a “rush.”
• Withdrawal: When a person makes attempts to cease or reduce gambling that typically results in restlessness or irritability.
• Escape: When only gambling improves a person’s mood, and helps him/her escape from their problems.
• Chasing: When a person tries to “chase” winnings in order to pay off gambling losses.
• Lying: When a person hides the extent of his or her gambling by lying to family, friends and therapists.
• Stealing: When a person steals in order to feed the gambling addiction.
• Loss of Control: When a person is unable to control, reduce or stop gambling.
• Illegal Acts: When a person engages in activities such as theft, embezzlement, fraud, forgery or writing bad checks in order to get gambling money or to recover from gaming losses.
• Risking Relationships: When a person disregards relationships with significant others, employment, and other associations in favor of gambling.
• Bailout: When a person looks to others for financial assistance to bail them out of their gaming losses.

We know that gaming is detrimental and unhealthy for some people and we’re committed to promoting responsible gaming. The Grand Dragon Lottery and its employees pledge to make responsible gaming practices an integral part of how we conduct our business.