We all know at least one person who has a gambling problem. And surely, you don’t want to be that guy. Now with online casinos, it’s ever so easy to get into compulsive gambling. But does that mean you have to keep away from casinos altogether and miss out on the fun? Not if you play wisely. It is possible to gamble responsibly. Knowing something about the psychology of gambling and how casinos work can help. Here are some tips to do this.
Top Tips for Responsible Gambling
- Set a budget and stick to it
It’s hard to keep track of how much you’re spending while you are at it. So, decide beforehand how much you are going to spend and stop when you reach that limit whether you are winning or losing. Your budget should leave ample room in your account to meet all your life expenses.
- Make use of gambling control tools
Online casinos with a responsible gambling policy will have the tools on their website to set a daily deposit limit on your casino account. You can also use third-party websites like GAMSTOP or GAMCARE to self-exclude from all online casino services. You can set a period for which you want your account blocked. Remember that you can always get in touch with the casino’s support service and ask them to block your account.
- Set a time limit
At casinos, once you set the ball rolling, it’s easy to lose yourself in the moment. So set a time limit and stop the moment that timer goes off. Get off your seat and walk away from your seat or keep your phone away before you allow yourself time to think. You can make an appointment to meet up with a friend or schedule any other task or activity for that time.
- Don’t chase losses
Losses are a part of gambling. Be prepared for streaks of bad luck when you are playing at a casino. It is tempting to keep playing beyond your set limits in hopes of winning back the lost money. But that’s not how gambling works. The moment you start doing this is when you enter the danger zone of problem gambling. So keep to your limits and consider the loss as the fee you paid for the entertainment.
- Never play with money you don’t own
Gambling is not a necessity but a pastime. So never play with money borrowed from anyone or loaned from a bank. The biggest red flag of gambling addiction is playing with borrowed money. If you find yourself in a place where you have to borrow money to play at a casino, know that you have reached the stage where you need professional help.
- Avoid the gambler’s fallacy
Gambler’s fallacy is when a particular result shows up consecutively and you assume that your next result is therefore going to be different and place your bet based on this belief. This is a thought trap that players fall into all too often and causes them to lose heavily.
Online casinos have their game outcomes generated by a Random Number Generator program. This means that the results are not biased nor influenced by the previous results. Every single result has an equal chance at every turn you take. So don’t be misled by the gambler’s fallacy.
- Stay away from emotional gambling
Don’t use gambling as a means to cope with depression or boredom. Don’t gamble when you’re angry or upset. During these emotions, your brain will have a diminished perception of consequences. And the consequences can further exacerbate these emotions.
- Don’t gamble under the influence
Never gamble when you are high. Drugs and alcohol can cloud your judgment. This is the reason many real casinos serve drinks for free.
- Take frequent breaks
Taking breathers now and then will help break that trance. Give yourself time to clear your mind and think rationally.
Conclusion
When it comes to responsible gambling, the mantra is “Do not spend more than you can afford to lose”. At online casinos, you are bound by your luck. There is always the chance that you will lose some or all of your money. No strategy or skill guarantees a win. Casinos don’t promise you money; they only promise you entertainment and the experience of gambling. Our article has covered all the practical tips you can follow to avoid spending recklessly at an online casino. If you find yourself inching towards addiction, there are many dedicated organizations and helplines that you can reach out to. Use gambling to spice up your life, not to knock yourself down.
