If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-Gambler.
Our Commitment
At PlayStar, the safety and wellbeing of our patrons is a priority, and we take the issue of responsible gaming seriously. While most patrons can gamble responsibly, a small percentage of patrons may find that they have an issue with problem or compulsive gambling. PlayStar’s goal is to help patrons identify signs of problem gambling and to ensure they are aware of the available support options. Below you will find information on how to identify the signs of problem gambling and the help available if you or someone you know is struggling.
Problem Gambling: The Risks & Warning Signs
Gambling addiction can be defined as a compulsive behavior, resulting in gambling uncontrollably without regard for the consequences. A problem gambler can be anyone, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, or income. Problem gambling can have a detrimental effect on your life, both personal and professional. Compulsive gamblers will often be in denial and/or try to deceive others as to the extent of their issues. Here are some of the main warning signs you should be aware of:
- Prioritizing gambling over friends and family
- Constantly thinking about gambling and how to get money to gamble.
- Gambling with ever-increasing amounts of money
- Finding it hard to stop gambling, no matter the time
- Gambling as a way to escape life and problems
- Gambling to block out feelings of guilt, anxiety, or depression
- Chasing losses (gambling more to win back lost money)
- Lying to others about the extent of the gambling
- Jeopardizing work, school, or losing important relationships due to gambling
- Obtaining money for gambling through theft, fraud, or by selling/pawning personal property
- Borrowing money to gamble more or to pay off previous gambling debts
Protect Yourself From Developing a Gambling Problem
We want our patrons to enjoy their time with us and play safely and responsibly. Here are some important tips to help patrons avoid problem gambling:
- Gambling should always be viewed as a form of entertainment, not as a means to make money or as a source of income
- Only gamble with money you know you can afford to lose
- Stay in control by setting firm time and money limits before you start gambling
- Avoid gambling while under the influence of alcohol or other substances
- If you suffer from other addictions, or have an addictive personality, you may be more likely to develop problem gambling issues
If you are experiencing thoughts of suicide due to addiction, anxiety or depression call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 (TALK) for free and confidential help 24/7. Or visit the website https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/
Myths Associated with Gambling
Myth: You have to gamble everyday to be a problem gambler.
Fact: A problem gambler may gamble frequently or infrequently. If a person’s gambling is causing psychological, financial, emotional, marital, legal or other difficulties for themselves and the people around them, then they have a gambling problem.
Myth: Problem gamblers gamble at any opportunity on any form of gambling.
Fact: Most problem gamblers have a favorite form of gambling that causes them problems. Some gamblers also engage in secondary forms of gambling, but these are not usually as problematic.
Myth: Problem gambling is not really a problem if the gambler can afford it.
Fact: Problems caused by excessive gambling are not just financial. If a person’s gambling is interfering with their ability to act in accordance with their values, then there is a problem. For example, too much time spent on gambling means less time to spend with family, friends and others. It can lead to relationship breakdown and loss of important friendships.
Myth: Problem gamblers are irresponsible people.
Fact: Many problem gamblers hold, or have held, responsible community positions. In addition, even people with a long history of responsible behavior are vulnerable to developing a gambling problem. When a person is having a problem gambling episode, that person is unable to control their gambling, and in this compromised state their actions look like irresponsible behavior.
Myth: Children are not affected by problem gambling.
Fact: Surveys show that about 10% to 15% of American and Canadian youth have experienced gambling-related problems and 1% to 6% of these individuals may satisfy diagnostic criteria for pathological gambling. Additionally, children of problem gamblers have been shown to be at a higher risk of developing health related behaviors. This includes alcohol and drug use, problem gambling, eating disorders, depression and suicide. Don’t wait for the problem to get worse!
Myth: Partners of problem gamblers often drive problem gamblers to gamble.
Fact: Problem gamblers are skilled in finding ways to rationalize their gambling. Blaming others is one way to avoid taking responsibility for actions, including actions needed to overcome the gambling problem.
Myth: Financial problems are the main reason that problem gamblers’ relationships break down.
Fact: It is true that money problems play an important part in ending relationships, however, many non-gambling partners say that the lies and lack of trust is the biggest cause.
Myth: Parents of problem gamblers are to blame for their children’s behavior.
Fact: Many parents of problem gamblers feel hurt and guilty about their son’s or daughter’s gambling behavior, but they are not to blame.
Myth: If a problem gambler builds up a debt, the important thing to do is to help them get out of the financial problem as soon as possible.
Fact: Quick fix solutions are often attractive to everyone involved and may appear to be the right thing to do, however, “bailing” the gambler out of debt may actually make matters worse by enabling gambling problems to continue.
Myth: Problem gambling is easy to recognize.
Fact: Problem gambling has been called the hidden addiction. It is very easy to hide as it has few recognizable symptoms, unlike alcohol and drug use. Many problem gamblers themselves do not recognize they have a gambling problem. Problem gamblers often engage in self-denial.
Help Tools
We offer a variety of tools to help you control your gambling – loss limits, deposit limits, spend limits, wager limits and session limits are configurable for a period of 72 hours to one month. A short video demonstrating these features is available here. To activate any of these features, go to the Responsible Gaming section. You may also close your account by calling Customer Support at (973) 756-3773.
Self-Exclusion
At any time, you may choose to self-exclude through the New Jersey Casino Self-Exclusion Program. This option will prohibit you from Internet gambling anywhere in the State of New Jersey for a period of 1 year or 5 years, depending on the length of time you select. You will not receive any marketing communications from any online gaming provider for as long as you remain on Self-Exclusion.
Once your specified exclusion period has ended you can request to be removed from Self-Exclusion. Please note that Self-Exclusion is irreversible and cannot be ended before the stated time. To choose this option, visit the Register for NJ Self Exclusion Program.
Further Help
There are counseling and help services available. If you or someone you know suffers from a gambling problem and would like support, you may call:
- Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey on the free and confidential helpline 1-800-Gambler or visit www.800gambler.org
- Gamblers Anonymous offers support and information and can be contacted on 855-2-Call-GA or through the website www.gamblersanonymous.org
- National Council on Problem Gambling in New Jersey offers help, including counseling, treatment, self-help and support groups: https://www.ncpgambling.org/state/new-jersey
Underage Gambling
It is illegal to allow anyone under the age of 21 to gamble. Anyone under the age of 21 who gambles, has committed a criminal offense, and will be banned from all forms of Internet gaming. We have implemented various tools to protect those under the legal age limit. Furthermore, customers may install third party filter software. This software restricts the access to Internet websites which are inappropriate for children and teenagers. The following prevention tools are available:
- Netnanny: www.netnanny.com/features/internet-filter
- Gamblock: www.gamblock.com
- Betfilter: http://www.betfilter.com
- CYBERsitter: https://www.cybersitter.com
Know Your Limits
We want our patrons to gamble responsibly while enjoying placing wagers on their favorite casino games. However, gambling can become a problem for some and we want to help our patrons in understanding their limits and help establish limits within each patron’s unique parameters. The below information is important for patrons to know in order to ensure their betting is enjoyable, responsible and sustainable:
- Bet with your head, not over it! Avoid gambling when your goal is to recover losses
- Never gamble if it interferes with work or family responsibilities, or if you are in recovery from any dependency, or you are under the influence of alcohol or any other substance
- Always take regular breaks from gambling during your session
- Before you begin gambling, decide on deposit, wager and time limits for yourself and adhere to them
Patron Limits
Patrons have the ability to set responsible gaming limits on their account. The following limits can be set for daily, weekly or monthly time frames:
- Deposit Limits – Patrons can limit the amount of money they deposit into their account within the selected timeframe
- Spend Limits – Patrons can limit the amount of money they can wager within the selected timeframe
- Session Limits – Patrons can limit the amount of time they spend on the site/app while logged into their account, per the selected timeframe
Patrons can decrease their set limits at any time, to make their limits more strict. Any increases to these limits, making the limits less strict, will only take effect after the currently selected timeframe. For example, if the patron has a $500 deposit limit per week, increases to this limit will only take effect after one week has elapsed.
Please visit our Player Protection Page for further information.
Responsible Gambling Is Everyone’s Responsibility
Our players’ satisfaction, safety and security are our top priorities, and we are dedicated to ensuring our games are only accessed by those with the legal right and means to enjoy them. It is therefore understood that by accessing and playing PlayStar’s games, you accept and comply with the Terms and Conditions of the use of our games and software.
A person who has enrolled in interactive gaming self-exclusion or has otherwise been excluded from interactive gaming activities, and individuals who are under the age of 21, shall not participate in interactive gaming or interactive gaming activities and will have their winnings forfeited and interactive gaming accounts suspended upon violation.