Responsible Gambling - 9 Steps To Playing Safe at Online Casinos
Online gambling is an enthralling form of entertainment with the allure of winning money from the comfort of home. However, it can also lead onto to severe consequences in the shape of problem gambling and addiction – putting your social life and personal finances at risk. That’s why it’s imperative you stay safe at online casinos by utilising responsible gaming tools in conjunction with a degree of self-discipline. To help you understand what methods can be enacted from your side, we will address 9 specific steps you can take to remain in control.
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Before we begin, you must define your objectives for signing up to an online casino in the first place. Is it purely for entertainment, a chance to unwind, or the thrill of winning real money? Understanding your motivations, setting clear parameters and devising an exit strategy will help you maintain a responsible gaming experience in line with the following steps.
1. Understand the Nature of Online Gambling
First and foremost, you must be up to speed with how online casinos operate and recognise it is impossible to win every bet you place. By understanding the nature of casino games – predominantly that most are dictated by pure chance – you can deal with losses in a more controlled manner.
Our beginner’s guide to online casinos will help bring you up to speed, whilst here are some of the main considerations:
- Probability and Chance
Each game you play, whether it's slots, blackjack, poker, or roulette, is governed by probabilities. Understanding the likelihood of certain outcomes can help you make informed decisions and rationalise results. - Random Number Generators
Most casino games, specifically slots, are determined by complex algorithms known as random number generators (RNGs). You cannot affect their outcome in any way and their results are completely unbiased against you personally. - House Edge
Casino games incorporate a built-in advantage known as the house edge. This ensures that over time, the casino is statistically likely to make a profit. Understanding this feature can temper your expectations and prevent overestimating potential winnings. - Gaming Strategies
While some games involve strategy, such as poker or blackjack, remember that no approach guarantees consistent wins on a long-term basis. Strategies can improve your odds, but there will always be an element of uncertainty and risk to every bet placed. - Win-Loss Fluctuations
Gambling outcomes can be highly variable where you experience both winning streaks and losing streaks. It's important to remain level-headed and not let emotions guide your decisions, especially during periods of volatility. - Variety of Games
Online casinos offer a vast array of games, each with its own set of rules and odds. Take the time to understand the mechanics and odds of the games you're interested in before placing bets. - Practice and Learning
Many online casinos offer free-to-play versions of their games. However, as a great alternative, we also offer various demo-mode slots which provide a valuable insight into how slot games work.
2. Prioritise Entertainment Over Income
Viewing gambling as a dependable source of income is a misconception that needs to be dispelled. Instead, it's important to regard gambling as a recreational pursuit, purely intended for enjoyment with the added bonus of possibly cashing out a profit.
Undeniably, the allure of gambling lies in the potential for financial gains. This incentive contributes significantly to the excitement of the activity. However, remember that money should never be the primary impetus behind your decision to gamble at casinos.
When registering with an online casino, you're essentially purchasing entertainment by participating, fully aware that there's a possibility of losing money along the way. Upon recognising this, and being able to take a step back when needed, you’ll set yourself up for a more refined experience.
3. Responsible Gaming Tools
Before embarking on your gaming adventure, establishing clear and well-defined limits is of paramount importance. By outlining these restrictions – specifically in the form of money and time – you’ll arm yourself with a powerful tool to safeguard against impulsive decisions.
Fortunately, you don’t just need to set these limits internally. Modern day online casinos provide various responsible gaming tools which provide definitive restrictions on your gaming sessions.
These include:
Deposit, Loss and Wager Limits
These self-imposed limits are set within daily, weekly, or monthly timeframes. When established, it serves as a cap on the amount of money you can either deposit, lose or wager in total bets during that designated period.
Once you've reached the pre-defined limit you've set, the casino's system will prevent additional deposits or wagers until the specified timeframe expires. If you choose to reset your limit, this may require a further ‘consideration’ period depending on your jurisdiction.
Reality Checks, Time Out and Self-Exclusion
There are also ways to limit your sessions by time. An initial Reality Check is a good feature, providing a pop-up notification after a certain amount of time informing of your current session time and profit/loss. This visualisation tool can be the trigger for you to stop.
A time-out is a more definitive version of this, automatically logging you out after a specified period. For example, you could set this to be one hours’ worth of game time per each day.
Finally, you can set an immediate self-exclusion of your chosen period usually ranging from one week to six months. This allows you to step back for an extended period whilst you clear your head and consider how best to proceed.
However, should you feel any signs of gambling addiction taking hold, or if the casino team suspect you are liable for such an issue, there is also the conclusive solution of a permanent self-exclusion. When enacted, this course of action cannot be reversed.
If you believe you’re at risk of addiction, there are various ways to spot the issue taking hold at an early stage. We look at the tell-tale signs of how to spot gambling problems in a dedicated guide from our expert team. Even if you don’t feel you are at risk, it’s still worth giving it a read as a precautionary measure.
4. Never Chase Losses – Maintain Discipline
Mindset is everything when it comes to online gambling. One common trap comes with the notion of ‘chasing losses’ – a misguided belief that you must win back lost money at all costs. If your bad streak persists, the stakes required to break even will thus increase, leading to even bigger losses and a potentially crippling downward spiral.
The experience of losing your hard-earned money isn’t a pleasant one and the desire to win it back can be overwhelming at times. However, the most prudent and sensible approach to online gambling is recognising there is a strong chance you may lose – thus dispelling any unrealistic goals from setting in.
Persistently striving to recuperate losses can be a fruitless task and one you find almost impossible to break free from, especially as the odds are stacked against you in the first place. If you can control this urge to chase losses initially, this puts you in a much better place to proceed with your gambling activities.
Key Takeaways
- Before signing up and depositing money, learn how the mechanic of casino games work. Look past their often-alluring façade and realise they are dictated by RNG algorithms in line with the house edge.
- Remember that gambling should be considered more of a fun pastime as opposed to a guaranteed source of income. Online casinos are a source of entertainment and should be treated as such.
- Consider using responsible gaming tools, no matter your experience level. These set definitive boundaries to curb your time and money spent online. Also remember that self-exclusion options are there whenever you need.
- Chasing losses is an indicator that you may be suffering from early signs of a gambling problem. Desperately trying to recoup lost money can see you fall down a hole that becomes increasingly hard to pull yourself out of.
5. Only Play At Licensed Casinos
Although rare, unlicensed online casinos do make their way onto the market. Registering at an unaccredited brand means your chances of playing in a fair gaming environment are severely reduced, i.e. where certain games don’t pay out correctly and even winnings not being honoured.
It is your responsibility to find an authorised casino to help ensure you are playing in a responsible manner. Fortunately, this is something you don’t need to worry about when choosing to play via NoDepositRewards.org. All of our casino partners have obtained an official gaming licence, meaning you are guaranteed a fair crack at winning real money.
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6. Keep A Clear Head Whilst Gambling
The temptation to gamble whilst under the influence of drugs or alcohol may be a strong urge to control, but it is imperative that you do so. It should go without saying, but your ability to make clear and rational decisions will be greatly diminished when in this state of mind.
Whilst intoxicated, you may not be able rationalise losing bets as you would normally – leading to the notion of chasing losses as we touched upon previously. Likewise, being drunk can lead to feeling far more emboldened than usual, resulting in excessive bets that you may soon regret when sober.
Furthermore, different substances will impact your concentration, attention span and cognitive skills. These impairments make it challenging to think strategically, increasing the likelihood of poor decisions. Your ability to analyse odds, manage your bankroll and maintain self-control becomes compromised.
7. Set Up A Profit and Loss Tracker
Maintaining a clear record of your gambling expenditure is a recommended measure to take. The majority of online casinos will host a win/loss tracker within your ‘My Account’ section, allowing you to visualise your expenditure more clearly.
This prevents overspending and helps you identify if you are veering off track. You're more likely to stick to your limits and avoid chasing losses when you actually see the cumulative effect of your actions.
Profit and loss trackers are a good tool for setting a budget also. By seeing how much you have already spent, this will allow you to set responsible gaming limits in line with your overall finances.
8. Take Advantage of Bonus Offers
Reckless spending at an online casino could arise if you aren’t feeling satisfied with your current state of play. Therefore, taking part in certain promotions and claiming bonus offers is one way to make you feel more fulfilled.
Some of their advantages include:
- Extended Gameplay: Many bonuses provide you with extra funds to play with, notably deposit match offers. By extending your gameplay, you're spreading out your bets over a longer period, helping to pace yourself and avoid rapid spending.
- Lower Financial Risk: In relation to no deposit offers, you’re not using personal funds to claim the bonus. For new players, this provide a great way to get a feel for how casino’s work before committing to a deposit.
- Entertainment Value: Promos such as slot tournaments and cash drops enhance your gaming experience, adding a new dimension to your time on the reels. Look out for current promotions on your chosen casino website.
- New Betting Strategies: With bonus funds in your account, you have a chance to explore previously untried games whilst also utilising innovative betting techniques. This can boost the model of playing for entertainment over sheer profit chasing.
If you are unsure of which type of bonus is the perfect fit for you, we have produced a concise bonus comparison guide explaining the main differences. By claiming the right one, this will allow you develop a more refined – and therefore more responsible – approach to online gambling.
9. Recognise Support Options At Your Disposal
Should you feel the onset of gambling issues and even addiction taking hold, note that numerous support channels and resources are available at all times. The casinos listed on NoDepositRewards.org should contain links to these organisations on their website, usually within the footer.
You should also consider the initial step of seeking assistance from professional counsellors and qualified therapists. Group therapy is another viable proposition where you can relate to others in a similar situation.
Search for gambling-related help in your local area to get the ball rolling, whilst we have also constructed a guide on the steps to take if you think you have a gambling problem. This guide looks at your options in more detail.
Key Takeaways
- Playing a fully licensed casino is the best way of playing in a responsible manner. They will provide various player-safety tools as well as links to gambling help centres.
- Stay away from online casinos if you have been drinking alcohol or are in a state of emotional duress. This can only hinder your ability to make rational betting decisions and remain in control of your spending.
- Regularly assess your betting activity, keeping track on how much you have wagered overall alongside your current profit/loss margin. This will help you set up a more refined budget plan.
- Claiming a casino bonus can help improve your gambling experience in various ways. A free no deposit bonus allows you to play with no financial risk involved, whilst a match deposit boost will prolong your gameplay.
- Remember that treatment for potential gambling addiction is always on hand, either via the casino itself or by searching for local support. If you feel gambling is starting to control you, rather than the other way around, it’s time to stop.
Conclusion
Playing at online casinos offers a dose of escapism from your usual routine and is a great source of entertainment, but only if undertaken responsibly. Adhering to the nine steps outlined above will help ensure your gambling endeavour maintains its pleasurable aspect without escalating into a detrimental endeavour.
It's crucial to exercise self-control and prioritise personal welfare above all else. If you encounter challenges, don't hesitate to ask for help. Embrace the world of gambling with enthusiasm, all while embarking on a journey characterised by safety and responsibility.