As much as we enjoy online gambling, this popular pastime should always be seen as a fun and exciting activity. Some people get caught up in chasing wins and using funds they don’t have to gamble online, but playing at online casinos means sometimes winning and sometimes losing. We want to ensure that our readers are safe when playing online slots and table games, and have prepared a guide to provide the help and support needed to keep in control.
Responsible gambling is a set of rules regulated by gambling authorities to protect players from gambling addictions. The tools available to ensure safe online gambling include limiting the amount of money an individual expends on gambling, establishing support groups, imposing deposit limits, utilizing self-assessment questionnaires, and other measures. Responsible gambling holds significant importance for the gambling industry, as it ensures its operations responsibly.
This page will provide an overview of the locations that provide assistance and guidance, the appropriate times to seek aid, and the measures to ensure that players engage in responsible gambling. Let us work together to promote safer online gambling, as it is possible that someone you love may have a compulsive gambling disorder, even if they do not have one.
Gambling Addiction Help Centres
Many players can stay within their budget, but some people continue to gamble in the hope that the next round will pay big. They are likely to use funds they do not have, or worse, borrow or steal from friends and loved ones. Online casino players are required to recognize the warning signs to curb problematic gambling, and we will provide a detailed overview of some of them below. Many support centers offer assistance for gambling addiction, and here are some well-known help centers.
- Gamblers Anonymous is a program that was developed in response to the Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) model. It employs a 12-step approach to aid problem gamblers in overcoming their addiction.
- The National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) is a non-profit organization established in 1972 and based in the United States that provides resources and assistance to individuals who are impacted by problem gambling.
- GamCare, which is based in the United Kingdom, provides a confidential hotline for individuals who are impacted by problem gambling. GamCare also offers online chat support, counselling services, and self-help resources.
- The Gambling Therapy organization is an international organization that provides online counselling, support groups, and self-help tools to individuals struggling with gambling-related issues.
- The Responsible Gambling Council (RGC) is a non-profit organization based in Canada that provides information and resources to individuals who are struggling with gambling addiction.
- BeGambleAware is a prominent charity in the United Kingdom that provides assistance to individuals who are at risk of developing a gambling disorder. BeGambleAware also provides funding for research pertaining to problem gambling.
When to get help
Some indicators of gambling addictions include the tendency to expend more funds than intended on casino games, engage in increased wagering, or conceal gambling activity to conceal its extent. Other indicators that indicate a gambling problem include pursuing losses, attempting to recuperate funds lost through gambling, and encountering financial difficulties as a result of gambling.
Online casinos provide a diverse range of assistance in their Responsible Gaming section, including self-assessment questionnaires. Players can answer questions to determine if they could potentially have a problem. This questionnaire helps identify problematic patterns in a player’s gambling behavior. Some of the questions found on self-assessment questionnaires are listed below.
- Have you ever neglected your everyday duties because of gambling?
- Do you feel the need to play again after a loss to regain your losses?
- Are you often tempted to gamble until you run out of money?
- Have you ever borrowed or sold anything to finance your gambling activities?
How to make sure you Gamble Responsibly
A comprehensive approach is imperative to guarantee that players engage in responsible gambling at online gambling establishments. The most important measures to ensure that players gamble responsibly include educating players about online gambling.
Educating Players: Online casinos must provide tools and information to their players about responsible gambling practices. This encompasses the establishment of boundaries, the restriction of gambling expenditure, the dissemination of information regarding the probability of winning, and the recognition of the warning signs of problematic gambling.
Offering Self-Exclusion Options: Players must be able to limit their access to gambling activities, such as setting limits on how much is spent, reality checks to keep track of how long a person plays online, and self-exclusion tools that allow players to block themselves from accessing the site for a short or long period. Self-assessment questionnaires and timeouts must also be included.
Online casinos must implement strict age verification checks and provide resources for help, such as links to support groups for players struggling with problem gambling. Links to support groups are included for access to counselling services and helplines. Online casinos should also actively monitor players’ gambling behavior for signs of problem gambling. Lastly, it is imperative that online gambling establishments ensure that their advertising is conducted with utmost caution and refrains from targeting vulnerable players.
Set Limits on Your Gaming
Responsible gambling involves setting limits on how much a player can spend to ensure that players can fund their accounts without experiencing financial difficulties. The first step for the player is to establish a budget. A budget is imperative, as it determines the amount of players are comfortable spending and can afford to lose without affecting their financial well-being, based on their disposable income. A reputable online casino provides its clients with the option to establish limits to enable them to maintain control. Players can then set deposit amounts so that they don’t spend more than they can afford. Players can then establish daily limits that are refreshed every 24 hours, as well as weekly or monthly limits that can be reduced, increased, or eliminated. Players should maintain control and enjoy the gambling experience without putting their financial security at risk.
Set Aside an Entertainment/ Gambling Budget
It is recommended that players allocate a monthly budget for gambling to ensure that they can adequately fund their casino account with the funds they can afford. Gambling budgets should be based on the player’s income and other financial obligations such as bills, savings, and other expenses. Once the budget is determined, players should stick to it. This can be accomplished by maintaining a record of all gambling activities to prevent exceeding their allocated budget. Online casinos offer responsible gambling tools, such as deposit limits, to help players stay within their budgets.
Don’t Chase wins or Losses
The fastest way to ruin a fun-filled gaming session is to chase losses and borrow money to fund your online gambling. For some players, when they are on a “hot streak” they don’t want it to end and continue gambling, while others that have lost a few times in a row, will borrow money to fund their gambling. Chasing wins or losses can quickly spiral out of control and lead to financial difficulties. Responsible Gaming Tools at online casinos, including setting limits, taking breaks, and excluding yourself when necessary, goes a long way toward maintaining control.
Set a time limit
One of the first steps to responsible gambling is knowing how much you can spend and how much you are willing to lose. Setting time limits helps stay in control. Losing track of time is easy, especially if you are enjoying yourself, but setting a time limit enables you to stay focused and stick to your limits. Time limits prevent players getting carried away by the excitement of casino games. Setting time limits promotes responsible gambling and reduces the stigma surrounding online gambling.
Problem Gambling Myths
- Players with a gambling problem use gambling to escape from other issues in their life.
Online gamblers lead normal lives and get up every morning to go to work, much like everyone else. It’s partly true that people play for fun and entertainment to leave the cares of the world behind, but gambling addiction is not dependent on this and can happen to anyone.
- If you don’t stop playing, you will eventually win back all your money.
This is one of the biggest myths. It is a simple task for individuals who do not have a gambling issue to withdraw from their gambling activities; however, individuals who are compulsive gamblers are motivated by an irrational belief that they will soon achieve a significant win.
- If you can afford to pay for gambling, there’s no problem.
Money is not the only driving force behind compulsive gambling. A person may experience underlying conditions, such as stress or low mood. Gambling becomes a means of coping, ultimately leading to a life-altering financial loss unless the individual seeks assistance promptly.
If You need help, don’t be afraid to get it
If one is confronted with a gambling issue, the initial step is to acknowledge the existence of the issue and seek assistance. Please complete the assessment questionnaire provided by your online casino, and then contact the gambling support centres for any assistance you may require. If you are concerned about others finding out, please do not worry; anonymity is key at support centers, helplines, and online casinos. Nobody is ever required to know. It is not a shame to seek help for a gambling problem; in fact, it is very courageous to do so. The centers are staffed by skilled professionals who provide assistance to individuals who are struggling with addiction. If you need help, it’s out there, so don’t be afraid to use all the resources available to you. By taking that first step, players can start their recovery journey and regain control of their lives.
