Games of chance

Games of chance are recreational pastimes that generate spaces for entertainment and socialisation and have accompanied humans throughout history. Different forms of gaming are practised in Catalonia, including for example lotteries, casino games, bingo and slot machines with prizes.

Although the majority of people have a responsible relationship with games of chance, gambling without limits can lead to serious problems for gamblers and their family and social environment.

Because of this, the Departament d’Interior, Relacions Institucionals i Participació de la Generalitat de Catalunya, en Col·laboració amb la indústria del Joc, fosters the Programa de Joc Responsable [Responsible Gambling Programme]. The aim of this is to favour a new gaming culture, where this pastime is practised as a leisure activity within attainable limits. Similarly, the Regional Government of Catalonia works within the limits of healthcare with people suffering from gambling addiction.

Can you keep gambling under control?

The essential element for gambling to become immoderate is the loss of control over this pastime. This occurs when the gambler spends too much money or devotes more time to gambling than he can afford.

The questions can be found in the questionnaire that you provide here, will help you find out if you or someone in your family or social circle may have problems with the way you gamble.

Advice for risk-free gambling

Some of the practices that make up Joc Responsable [Responsible Gambling] are:

• Setting a budget before going to gamble and never exceeding it. This budget must be part of your leisure expenses, never, under any circumstances, housekeeping money.
• Never asking for money to go gambling.
• Setting a time limit for gambling and taking frequent breaks when gambling.
• Never going gambling if you are in a depressed state or to forget your everyday problems.
• Preferably gambling in a group and doing it as a fun, social activity.
• If you lose money placed on a bet, not trying to recover it. It has to be accepted as part of the game. Gambling more does not mean that you will win.

Do you think that someone in your family or environment has a problem with gambling?

We offer some advice as follows:

• Talk to the person who is gambling and make sure that you are accompanied by another person in your family or environment. Choose the best moment, for example when he shows remorse about gambling.
• It is possible that this person will not recognise having a problem. Therefore, it is important that you are understanding and tolerant when talking to him.
• Keep the focus of attention on the immoderate gambling behaviour and not on the person himself.
• Make him see the impact that his actions are having on his family and friends. Make him see how the consequences of his addiction affect the people around him.
• See a mental health specialist, who will be able to advise you.
• Remember that changes take time. The person affected may relapse a number of times before successfully overcoming his problem. Give him your support every step of the way to his recovery.
• For purposes of brevity, the masculine gender is used to designate both men at women.