The HKPL is a free play poker league. Poker is a game of skill and not of chance. Poker is a sport. However, the HKPL recognizes that the game of Poker can have an aspect of gambling which cannot be ignored. HKPL believes that it is incumbent upon all stakeholders in the industry to take a proactive approach to problem and underage gambling. Therefore, it is HKPL's mission to promote responsible gaming to our employees, our customers and the public at large, and to supporting those agencies and programs committed to researching, preventing and treating problem gaming.

What is Problem Gambling?

Problem gambling is gambling that is done excessively and negatively affects other areas of a person’s life, such as their physical or mental health, school or work performance, finances, and/or interpersonal relationships.

People with gambling problems often bet with money they can't afford to lose, max out their credit cards, borrow money in order to gamble, and do other things that compromise their personal values. Despite these negative consequences, they may deny that they have a problem, continue to chase losses, neglect family, friends, work, and even their own self-care (they may not eat or sleep properly, for example, or care about their physical appearance). Problem gambling can affect anyone regardless of age, gender, race or social status.

Signs you may have a problem with gambling

There are a variety of signs that may indicate you have a problem with gambling. The more signs you show, the greater the chance of a problem. Some of these signs include:

-Constantly thinking or talking about gambling
-Spending more time or money on gambling than you can afford
-Finding it difficult to control, stop, or cut down gambling, or feeling irritable when trying to do so
-Feeling a sense of emptiness or loss when not gambling
-Gambling more in order to win back losses or get out of financial trouble
-Thinking that your gambling will get under control as soon you have a ‘big win’
-Borrowing money, selling things, committing (or considering committing) criminal acts in order to get money for gambling
-Having increased debt, unpaid bills, or other financial troubles because of your gambling
-Often gambling until all of your money is gone
-Needing to gamble with larger amounts of money or for longer periods of time in order to get the same feeling of excitement
-Experiencing extreme highs from gambling wins and extreme lows from gambling losses
-Gambling to escape personal problems or to relieve feelings of anxiety, depression, anger, or other negative emotions
-Getting irritated more easily or having less patience when dealing with normal, everyday activities
-Feeling guilty about gambling or what happens while gambling
-Getting criticized by others for your gambling
-Having arguments with friends or family about money and gambling
-Refusing to discuss gambling with others or lying to cover it up
-Hiding bills, past due notices, winnings, or losses from your partner or family member
-Gambling instead of attending family or other social functions
-Neglecting family or household responsibilities because of gambling
-Neglecting work or school because of gambling
-Neglecting personal needs (e.g., for food, sleep, hygiene) because of gambling
-Consistently or always planning holidays where gambling is available