WILLEMSTAD – As part of its ongoing efforts to inform and raise awareness about games of chance, the Curaçao Gaming Authority (CGA) continues to promote responsible gambling and highlight the importance of player protection. Throughout the month of March, CGA is focusing on this topic with a campaign centered around the message: “Gambling can be addictive, do it responsibly!”
As the regulatory authority for games of chance in Curaçao, CGA continues to explain what gambling entails and what it involves. This communication specifically highlights the potentially addictive nature of gambling and the importance of responsible play, so that people can enjoy it without experiencing negative consequences.
Most people gamble without negative effects. However, recent research indicates that between 1% and 3% of Curaçao’s population struggles with gambling addiction. This represents approximately 1,450 to 3,650 individuals who have little or insufficient control over their gambling behavior. This can lead to addiction to one or more forms of gambling, potentially causing harm to themselves and others. Warning signs may include hiding or lying about excessive gambling, constant preoccupation with gambling, financial problems, and issues within family or relationships.
Anyone can develop a gambling addiction. On average, each person with a gambling problem also negatively impacts between 5 and 10 people in their immediate circle, such as family and friends. The impact therefore extends beyond the individual player. For this reason, it is important for players to set personal limits and stick to them. A personal limit means deciding in advance how much time and money you can responsibly spend on gambling, and committing to those limits. This helps keep behavior under control and prevents gambling from becoming problematic.
Awareness around responsible gambling helps the community recognize early warning signs and take action in time. It is CGA’s legal responsibility to inform and educate the public about responsible gambling. CGA also emphasizes that you must be at least 18 years old to enter a local casino. It is prohibited to allow minors to participate in gambling activities, for example by letting them purchase numbers, place bets, or enter a casino. Minors who are exposed to or participate in gambling are at a higher risk of developing an addiction later in life.
Gambling can be addictive, do it responsibly!