Responsible Gambling: A Guide to Safe and Controlled Play

What is Gambling Addiction (Ludomania)?

Gambling should always be a form of entertainment. However, in a digital world where access is 24/7, the risk of losing control is real. In Switzerland, player protection is a top priority enshrined in federal law. At Citeulike, we believe that an informed player is a protected player. This page is designed to help you recognize the warning signs and find the necessary support within the Swiss territory.

Gambling addiction is a clinical condition where an individual cannot control the urge to gamble, despite negative consequences on finances, health, and relationships. It is not a matter of "willpower" but a psychological disorder that affects the brain's reward system.

What to Do If Gambling Becomes a Problem?

If you feel you are losing control, do not wait. Follow these steps:

1. Take a Break: Use "Time-Out" tools to block access to the casino for at least 24–48 hours.
2. Set Strict Limits: Use deposit, loss, and session time limits in Swiss Francs (CHF).
3. Talk to Someone: Do not isolate yourself. Confide in a friend, family member, or professional.
4. Self-Exclusion: In Switzerland, you can request a gambling ban that is valid across all licensed land-based and online casinos nationwide.

Signs and Symptoms (DSM-5 Criteria)

Ask yourself these questions. Do you recognize yourself in any of these behaviors?

• Increasing Stakes: Do you need to gamble with increasing amounts of money to achieve the desired excitement?
• Irritability: Do you feel restless or irritable when attempting to cut down or stop gambling?
• Escapism: Do you gamble to escape problems or relieve feelings of guilt, anxiety, or depression?
• Chasing Losses: After losing money gambling, do you often return another day to get even?
• Lying: Do you lie to family members or others to conceal the extent of your involvement with gambling?
• Social Risk: Have you jeopardized a significant relationship, job, or career opportunity because of gambling?

Prevention: Tips for Staying in Control

• Only gamble what you can afford to lose: View gambling as a cost for entertainment, not an investment.
• Set a time budget: Decide how long you will play before you log in and stick to it.
• Never borrow money to gamble: This is the most critical red flag of a developing problem.
• Avoid gambling in altered emotional states: Do not play if you are under the influence of alcohol, or if you are feeling sad or highly stressed.

Resources and Help in Switzerland

If you reside in Switzerland (Zurich, Geneva, Basel, or elsewhere), you can count on world-class, free, and anonymous support structures:

• SOS-Spielersucht: The primary national reference for gambling addiction in Switzerland. They offer counseling in multiple languages, including English.

  • Phone: 0800 040 080 (Free and anonymous helpline)

  • Website: www.sos-spielersucht.ch
• SafeZone.ch: A Swiss portal for online counseling on all types of addiction, including gambling.

  • Website: www.safezone.ch

• Careplay: A comprehensive prevention and player protection program active across many Swiss casinos.

  • Website: www.careplay.ch

• Center for Excessive Gambling (Centre du jeu excessif - CJE): Based in Lausanne, they offer specialized clinical support and research.

  • Website: www.jeu-excessif.ch