For many people around the world the holiday season is a synonym of happiness. It is the time of the year when everyone is in a good mood and when fantastic things are bound to happen. However, these days of joy go hand in hand with some negative things too. For those who enjoy casinos, online casinos and playing slot games online, the end of the holiday season means that it’s time to face some of their demons.
According to several professional support groups, those online gamblers who have a problem with the activity, seek more help during the holidays than any other season of the year. The number of calls increase dramatically the days right after the holidays are over. The director of the Problem Gamblers Help Network in West Virginia, Steve Burton recently stated that: “We have taken calls where the gamblers have stolen others’ wrapped gifts from under the tree and then returned them to the store for cash.” Burton also said that his help network received more phone calls in December 2023 that in recent years and as years go by it becomes increasingly common for land-based casino and online casino players to realize they have a problem with gambling. The days of Christmas and New Years are prone to cause severe depression and anxiety for people with a gambling problem, thusly causing them to spend more time and money gambling in the casino or on online.
There are some cases that escalate to the point that the person knows they need help. When this happens Burton says that their lines are open and available to anyone who dials their number. He also cited that : “Our counsellors hear time and time again about how those with a gambling problem chase their losses by betting more and more money and then having no cash left to buy holiday gifts.” Burton says that when a troubled gambler comes with terms of the realization that they have a problem it is the best time to contact a professional.
