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Ukraine Ban Gambling
The Ukraine has recently imposed a temporary ban on the majority of forms of gambling, including online gambling. This move comes at a coincidentally (?) similar time as the Russian Federations ban on casinos and slot machine halls, which came into effect at the beginning on July...
The ban will effect terrestrial casinos, slot machine halls, bookies, “chance” / “skillless” gambling games and of course, online casinos but not Lotteries, art contests, billiards, and certain other games such as pickup reward machines.
Despite the Ukrainean President Kuschenko’s attempts to legitimately veto the law, the Verkhovna Rada passed it nonetheless back on 25 June. The big brother story behind the move is that it will protect gamblers from themselves in these dark days of recession. The Prime Minister, who backed the law, believes that gambling houses were “demoralizing Ukraine’s youth and sucking the last savings from families”. The longer term plan is to replicate the Russian idea of “gambling zones” in areas like the Black Sea resorts on the Crimean Peninsula. But the shorter term is obviously seeing a financial tidal wave hitting all those (an estimated 200,000 people) who have previously been employed within the gaming industry in the Ukraine.
09.05.2011
Author: Gene Maingot
Why Struggle Alone? Stop Gambling with Available Help.
True to our American heritage individuals suffering from gambling addictions often attempt to hide their struggle with gambling from others and tackle their addiction alone. One’s choice to take on their pathological gambling treatment without assistance has achieved mixed results depending on how advanced these individuals have progressed in their addiction. While some individuals can stop or curtail their gambling alone, many find themselves overpowered by the fury of their compulsion to gamble.
While both self-help and professional counseling programs are increasingly available for individuals suffering from a compulsive gambling problem or addiction, also known as pathological gambling disorder or problem gambling, affected individuals initially attempt to utilize one of the following techniques alone on a regular basis before seeking help: willpower, limiting access to money, avoiding gambling triggers, development of leisure and diversional activities, self-talk focusing on the negative consequences of gambling, and distraction as methods to stop or reduce their gambling problems.
This “natural recovery” from problem gambling is recognized in gambling literature as resulting from the effectiveness of self-reliance and use of personal control. Coincidentally, many of these techniques are routinely used in gambling anonymous and individual counseling.
Of course, powerlessness is recognized by the 12-step movement, including Gamblers Anonymous (GA), as one of the fundamental pillars of recovery from any addiction. Let me suggest that the will power that assists individuals to stop gambling has more to do with the power to follow their healthy choices and recovery plans than the power to control their strong urges or compulsions to gamble.
Fortunately gamblers who are adversely affected by their gambling behaviors do not have to fight the battle of compulsive gambling alone. GA has proven to be an effective way to stop gambling for the past 53 years. Counselors are available to help those individuals who require more support. Licensed Therapist provide gambling addiction help in all areas of recovery, but are often seen as instrumental in helping individuals work through the loss, shame, and guilt associated with being addicted to gambling. Several states, including California, have decided to fund campaigns to promote awareness of problem gambling treatment for affected individuals. Given the awareness of how problem gambling effects personal finances both state programs and sliding payment scales have been developed to assist clients receive gambling help without additional financial pressure.
For compulsive gambling facts and learn more about gambling addiction treatment and how to stop gambling, give us a call at: (951) 316-1174.
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