New online casinos are launching every week and playing your favourite casino games online is becoming a more and more popular way of enjoying leisure time. However, it’s vital that online casinos provide the appropriate and correct information to its players on how to ensure they’re gambling responsibly and staying within their limits. So how do they do this?
In the UK, it is illegal for anyone under the age of 18 to gamble and that includes online. Online casinos have a responsibility to ensure no players under 18 access their site and they do this by checking identity at registration and will often ask players to provide further proof of their age if their age is in doubt, blocking access to their account until sufficient proof is provided.
Parents can also help ensure under 18s aren’t accessing online casinos by setting parental controls on their home internet and by having internet filters that would stop access to any sites unsuitable for any minors.
The majority of people using online casinos will do so sensibly and within their budget. There are extra ways in which you can ensure you never spend too much or even lose too much when playing online casino games. Online casinos allow players to set deposit limits and loss limits.
A deposit limit will place a cap on the amount of money you can deposit on a site with a set time. You could set daily, weekly or monthly deposit limits so you can feel safe in the knowledge you’ll never spend more than what you can afford to lose. Once you reach your deposit limit, you won’t be able to credit your account any more until the following day / week / month, dependant on what you’ve set up.
Loss limits are slightly different in that instead of capping the amount you spend, it limits the amount you can lose. This is a great way of helping players gamble responsibly as it stops them chasing their losses or potentially winning big, then blowing the lot again straight after.
As well as overall loss limited, many online casinos allow you to set loss limits on specific games or types of games. So if for example, you tend to chase losses on slot games but gamble responsibly when playing poker, you could set a loss limit specifically for slots.
If you feel you’re no longer gambling in a responsible manner, you can choose to self exclude yourself from specific sites or even specific types of games. Self exclusion periods are normally a minimum of six months and it’s also recommended you unfollow that site on any social media accounts too.
If you choose to self exclude from a specific type of game, it’s recommended you self exclude from those games on all sites where you hold accounts.
While the majority of players enjoy online casinos for fun, if you’re concerned you’re not gambling responsibly, ask yourself the following questions:
If you’ve answered ‘yes’ to any of these, you might want to re-assess your online gambling habits. You can also seek help from any of the following organisations
Gamblers Anonymous www.gamblersanonymous.org.uk
This is probably one of the better known organisations that offer help and advice from real men and women with first-hand experience of gambling addiction.
GameCare 0808 8020 133 or www.gamcare.org.uk
This organisation offers advice, information and free counselling where appropriate. There are chat rooms, forums and a support line
Gamble Aware www.gambleaware.co.uk
This is an organisation aimed at all types of gambling whether it’s online, sports betting, bingo or slots, and offers advice and support on how to gamble responsibly. You may have even seen their logo on casino sites.
You should never gamble as a way of earning money and should never gamble with more than you can afford – or afford to lose. Gamble responsibly and enjoy online casino sites as a fun leisure time.
Responsible gambling involves being aware of your gambling behaviors and making informed decisions about your game play. This includes understanding the odds and randomness of games, setting time and money limits, not chasing losses, and not allowing gambling to interfere with your work, family, and other commitments. Responsible gambling also means recognising when gambling might be becoming a problem and seeking help if needed.
Responsible gambling is important to be aware of as it helps prevent gambling addiction and other gambling related problems. It's aimed at ensuring that an individual's gambling habits don't lead to negative consequences in their personal life, financial situation, or mental health.
Here are some steps you can take to gamble responsibly:
Set a budget and stick to it.
Treat gambling as a form of entertainment, not a source of income.
Understand that you are more likely to lose than win.
Don't chase losses.
Take regular breaks from gambling.
Avoid gambling when upset, stressed, or intoxicated.
Signs of a gambling problem can include:
Spending more money and time on gambling than you can afford.
Finding it hard to manage or stop your gambling.
Having arguments with friends or family about money and gambling.
Losing interest in usual activities or hobbies.
Always thinking or talking about gambling.
Lying about your gambling or hiding it from others.
Chasing losses or gambling to get out of financial trouble.
Borrowing money, selling possessions, or failing to pay bills due to gambling.
If you think you have a gambling problem, it's important to seek help. Many organisations such as GambleAware provide support and counseling to people struggling with gambling addiction. You can also talk to a healthcare professional or a trusted person in your life about your concerns, who can help put you in touch with a gambling help organisation.
Self-exclusion tools are provided by gambling operators to enable individuals to restrict their own access to gambling. By joining these programs, you can choose to exclude yourself from certain types of gambling, specific venues, or online sites for a set period of time.
Yes, most reputable gambling operators provide tools that allow you to set limits on how much money and time you spend on gambling. These can be daily, weekly, or monthly limits, and once set, they are usually enforced strictly by the operator.
A cooling-off period in gambling is a short-term break that you can take from a particular gambling service. During this period, you will not be able to access the gambling service, and it's a good way to take a break if you feel your gambling is becoming problematic.
A gambling counsellor is a professional who can provide advice, support, and therapy to people who are struggling with a gambling problem. They can help you understand why you gamble, help you stop, and provide support in rebuilding your life.
There are many resources available for people struggling with gambling addiction. These include GambleAware, GamCare and NHS England hotlines, online chat services, forums, therapy programs, support groups, and self-help tools. The specific resources available can depend on your location, so it's a good idea to research what's available in your area. Always seek help if you feel your gambling habit is becoming a problem for you and your family.