2017 is here, but are you ready? Is this the year you transform into the person you’ve always wanted to be? The Council of Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey is rooting for you to achieve all of your positive aspirations.
Before we suggest some common New Year’s resolutions, let’s stick to what we know and discuss two gambling resolutions that may have crossed the mind of you or somebody you know:
- Win More (Gamble “Better”)
- Quit Gambling Altogether
So why are these two common mindsets so different? Many people feel that gambling is an all or nothing activity. Some can gamble responsibly, while others cannot (even if they truly believe they can).
Let’s backtrack and delve deeper into these two betting goals that people set.
Resolution #1 – Win More (Gamble “Better”) – The problem with this mentality is that it is difficult to achieve regularly. A very small percentage of people can maintain a successful career as a professional gambler. Plus, when you are gambling as a career it feels just as much like work as being an accountant, electrician or anything else. Pro gamblers generally specialize in one or two types of games and spend countless hours working toward generating enough money to cover their bills and basic costs.
If you want to see how skilled you truly are at gambling, start a spreadsheet and diligently track all of your gambling activities. Having a successful day, weekend or month is possible, but don’t forget that “the house always wins” remains an accurate saying for a reason. If winning the lottery was easy, everybody would be doing it.
Resolution #2 – Quit Gambling Altogether – Unfortunately, the above resolution can lead to this decision as the only recourse. Gambling commonly starts out as a fun hobby. From there it can progress to an obsession or an adrenaline rush. Chasing losses is a catalyst for a downward spiral. In addition to financial losses, gambling problems can lead to issues with friends, family, work, neighbors, health and overall well-being.
You hit rock bottom when you stop digging. Some gambling addicts wait until things are out of hand to stop, while others see the direction they are headed and seek help to change their compulsive gambling behaviors. The sooner you take action and accept guidance, the sooner you can transform into the new you. Before you embark in some racetrack wagering around AC or Freehold, NJ, take a deep breath and think to yourself, “Is this a good idea?”
For some, quitting gambling altogether is the only solution. The good news is that gambling abstinence frees up time for beneficial resolutions such as:
- Being more active (yoga, gym, sports, etc.)
- Learning new skills (cooking, sewing, designing, playing instruments, etc.)
- Career advancement
- Spend more time with loved ones
- Travel the world
According to Neva Pryor, Executive Director at the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey, “We encourage everybody to set positive goals to embark on annually, monthly and daily. We challenge ourselves to become better every day, and we are here to help you to do the same. The 1-800-GAMBLER helpline is available 24 hours per day. If you know somebody who is looking to eliminate gambling from their lives, give us a call and we are happy to help.”