Responsible gambling at online casinos – how to keep control

Online casinos offer entertainment, and maintaining enjoyment is key while playing. Players have the freedom to explore various casinos and games, whether using free chips or real money. However, when playing with real money, responsible gaming is paramount. It can be challenging to practice responsible gaming, as getting caught up in gambling can lead to problematic behavior. While winning is possible, losses are also part of the experience. Gambling should be viewed as entertainment, not a means of financial gain. If you find yourself losing control, utilize responsible gaming tools provided by the casino.

This page provides insights into responsible gaming at online casinos. Discover information about different responsible gaming tools available at casinos and learn to recognize signs of problematic gambling behavior.

What is responsible gaming?

When playing at online casinos, real money is at stake. Responsible gaming involves engaging with casino games in a manner that is mindful and cautious. It entails playing with disposable income rather than funds necessary for daily expenses. Taking out loans to gamble is not considered responsible gaming. Responsible gaming at online casinos means adhering to a predetermined budget and maintaining control over your gambling habits.

Reputable online casinos provide responsible gaming tools to help prevent problem gambling and addiction. Later on this page, I will elaborate on these tools.

Myths about addiction and problem gambling

1️⃣ Addicts and problem gamblers use gambling as an escape from other issues in life

This could be partly true. But most addicts have pretty normal lives without big issues. Problem gambling can lead to bad things or issues. But most gamblers have a pretty normal life before they become problem gamblers or addicts.

2️⃣ If you can afford gambling there is no problem

This is a big myth. Problem gambling has not only to do with money. Gambling can break relationships or it can cause breakdowns in friendships. When gambling becomes a habbit you can also loose your job.

3️⃣ You can only become a problem gambler when you play often

Not true, you can play a few times a month and become a problem gambler or addict. You could loose your salary on one single bet. If that is the case you probably already are a problem gambler.

4️⃣ Addicts and problem gamblers lose because they play badly 

Most addicts and problem gamblers know they are playing against the odds or playing games with low RTP’s. But they do this because the odds and payouts are high. So when they win, they win a lot.

Set yourself limits

At almost every online casino you can set you personal gaming limits. In your account you can control your gambling with the following limits

1. Deposit limit: Maximum amount of money you want to deposit daily, weekly or monthly
2. Wagering limit: The maximum amount of money you want to wager daily, weekly or monthly
3. Loss limit: How much you want to lose during a certain period
4. Session limit: The maximum length of time you are allowed to play before the casino loggs you out

Responsible gaming is taking a break!

Gambling is something a lot of people get addicted to. To assure you don’t get addicted we advise you to take a break often. Daily, weekly or even monthly breaks. A number of casinos offer you the option to freeze your player account for a certain period. Freeze your account for a period. During this time you will not receive emails with promotion. So you won’t get pushed to come back and play again.

Follow these guidelines of responsible gaming

We have summed up a few important steps to follow to prevent getting addicted to online gambling.

• Consider gambling as a form of entertainment, don’t think it is a way to earn money.
• Don’t think you can win back your losses.
• Decide how much you want to spend and set a limit in your player account.
• Only gamble with money you can miss.
• Only play with licensed operators.
• Keep track of the amount of money you spend gambling.
• Never borrow any money for online gambling.
• Set gaming limits.
• Ask for help when you doubt of an addiction.

Know when to stop gambling

An important aspect of responsible gaming is to know when you have to stop gambling. It is not easy to notice when you have to stop and when things are going a bit too far. Underneath questions can help you to recognize if gambling is getting a huge problem for you. The more questions you can answer with “yes” the greater the chance of a problem.

Personal state of your mind

• Are you thinking and talking about gambling all the time?
• Have you used gambling to escape from worries?
• Are you restless when you are trying to quit gambling?
• Did gambling cause you restless nights?
• Have you ever considered suicide after gambling?

Self control

• After you have won any money, did you have a strong urge in winning more?
• After you have lost do you feel the urge to win back your money?
• Have you ever felt an urge to celebrate good fortune in your life by playing for a few hours?
• Do you want to play with higher stakes all the time?
• Have you not been able to resist gambling?
• Have you ever had problems in setting limits or stop playing games?

Financial situation

• Do you gamble till you have lost all your money?
• Do you ever gamble to try and win to pay any debts?
• Have you ever borrowed any money?
• Have you ever sold anything to use the money for gambling?

Relationships and living in a society

• Have others ever criticized you for gambling?
• Has gambling ever made your homelife unhappy?
• Have you ever lost a relationship (friend, family) because of gambling?
• Has gambling affected any of your reputations?
• Do you lie to family or friends to hide your gambling?
• Are you counting on others to solve your financial problems?
• Did you ever lose time from school or work because of gambling?
• Did gambling cause a decrease in your efficiency or your professional ambitions?
• Have you lost a job because of gambling?
• Have you stopped education because of gambling?
• Have you committed any illegal act or crime because of gambling?

If you recognize some of the above behaviours in someone close to you or in yourself, we recommend you to get advise or professional help. You can also contact our team. We will help you to get in contact with the right companies and people.

Online Support Tools – GamCare + Gambling Therapy

When you think you have a problem you can contact a few online support resources. These resources can help you, your family and your friends through your addiction. In this paragraph we will highlight the 2 most used online support services, Gamcare and Gambling Therapy.

GamCare – How can GamCare help me?

GamCare is a team with national experts. These experts can help you prevent becoming a problem gambler. But they can also treat you when you are an addict or problem gambler. The organisation opened her online doors in 1997 and is the leading provider of support, information and free counselling. You can contact GamCare online or by phone.

All help at GamCare is anonymous and 100% free. If you want you can also arrange a face to face meeting with an expert. When you think you are at the point of becoming a problem gambler GamCare is the first organisation you should contact. Their advice will help you a lot.

Click here if you want to open the Gamcare website (Gamcare.co.uk).

Gambling Therapy – How can it help me? And how does it work?

Gambling Therapy is a world-wide resources for addicts and problem gamblers. Problem gamblers from all territories can contact Gambling Therapy and enter the available resources. This is an online support service for addicts but also for friends and family of people hurt by a gambling problem.

Gambling Therapy is a non profit charity. The website is loaded with guids and information which can help you prevent an addiction or help you from being addicted. They also help you find local resources in your territory.

It doesn’t matter where you live or what kind of gambling problem you are suffering. We guarantee you that you will benefit from the Gambling Therapy services. Correspondence is 100% anonymous and includes one on one online contact with experts.

Click here and open the Gambling Therapy website (gamblingtherapy.org)

Frequently asked questions