How to Gamble Responsibly at Online Casinos

Cool-off Periods

Cool-off periods allow customers to take a temporary break from gambling. Players can usually activate this feature in their account settings and suspend access for anywhere from 24 hours to several weeks. The specific timeframes vary across online casinos, but the feature can certainly help you scale down your gambling.

Time Limits

Time limits are a practical option for players who want to reduce the time they spend gambling. When the set period expires, the casino software either logs them out automatically or notifies them with a pop-up message.

Deposit Limits

Deposit limits are an essential RG feature at all reputable gambling sites. Players can set daily, weekly, or monthly caps on their deposits and adjust them in the cashier at any time. Requests to lower the limit take effect immediately, while requests to raise it become active after 24 hours.

Restrictions on Games

Restrictions on games are available at many online casinos. Players can opt out of or block themselves from playing certain titles on the site, such as slots.

Game History

Game history lets players track the betting activity of their accounts, including total amounts wagered, their winnings, and losses across a single session, day, week, or month.

Self-assessment Questionnaires

Self-assessment questionnaires are available on all gambling websites, allowing customers to screen themselves for signs of problem gambling. In most cases, the test consists of a list of yes-or-no questions, but some operators offer interactive surveys that provide a score at the end.

Self-exclusion

Self-exclusion is another useful tool commonly offered at gambling sites. Players who feel they can no longer control the time or money they spend on gambling can request a temporary or permanent suspension of their accounts. Temporary exclusion is typically available for set periods of six months, one year, three years, or five years.

At the end of the selected period, the player can request account reactivation by contacting the support staff. Reinstatement policies vary across online casinos. In some instances, the exclusion applies to all sites operated by the same parent company. Attempts to set up a new account at another site run by the same company will be futile.

There is usually the option to request a manual withdrawal of the account’s remaining balance. Excluded players are removed from the casino’s marketing list, so they do not receive any promotional materials during the exclusion period.

Some regulated markets have free platforms that allow you to exclude yourself from all gambling sites licensed in the same jurisdiction. One example is GAMSTOP, a service available across all casinos licensed in Great Britain.

Resources for Support

Resources for support and treatment are readily available at regulated online casinos. You can usually find them in the RG section. Operators publish links to various support groups and toll-free helplines for gambling addicts. Two examples are the National Gambling Helpline (+44 0808 802 0133) in the UK and the National Problem Gambling Helpline Network (1-800-522-4700) in the US. Support is available around the clock and is strictly confidential.

Advice on Responsible Gambling

Advice on responsible gambling is offered by all reputable operators. The tips are usually presented in bullet format, encouraging customers to set deposit limits, avoid gambling when inebriated, and play for recreation only.

Common Risk Factors

With this in mind, studies have shown that some people are at greater risk of becoming problem gamblers. A variety of factors are at play, including those outlined below. We strongly recommend you take advantage of the RG tools available to you if you have reason to believe you are at risk.

• Mental illnesses, such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and personality disorders, can make you more vulnerable to developing a gambling problem. People who suffer from these conditions sometimes use gambling as a form of self-medication. Gambling affects the brain’s reward system and triggers a dopamine rush, making them feel happy and content.
• Males are at higher risk of becoming problem gamblers than females, studies have shown. Men are more prone to taking risks and often start gambling at a younger age, allowing the problem to develop gradually over time. Women are not immune, but they typically become problem gamblers more quickly and later in life, during adulthood.
• Dopamine agonists prescribed to patients with restless legs syndrome or Parkinson’s disease can sometimes lead to compulsive behaviors, including excessive gambling.
• Genetic predisposition can also play a role, according to some studies. People whose first-degree relatives (siblings, parents, etc.) have been compulsive gamblers are more likely to develop a problem themselves than those without pathological gamblers in their families.
• Age can also be a factor because gambling-related problems are more common among younger and middle-aged people. The age at which a person starts gambling is also important. Various studies indicate that most adult problem gamblers began during adolescence.
• Some personality attributes are associated with a higher risk of becoming a problem gambler. Pessimists, workaholics, highly competitive individuals, and people prone to shyness or boredom all belong to this risk group.

Psychological Signs of Gambling Addiction

Gambling addiction is associated with various psychological symptoms. Gamblers should be aware of them so they can recognize changes in their own behavior early and stop the problem from escalating.

If you suspect that your relationship with gambling is becoming problematic, review the list of psychological symptoms below. If you experience several of them, consider taking a break or excluding yourself from gambling for a longer period.

• Sudden mood changes and irritability
• Detachment from loved ones
• Impaired judgment
• Reduced concentration
• Agitation and restlessness
• Feeling miserable for no reason
• Suicidal ideation

Physical Signs of Problem Gambling

Problem gamblers often exhibit a combination of psychological and physical symptoms. The latter usually manifest as stress-related health issues like those outlined below. Experiencing one or more of these symptoms is a clear indicator that your body is under stress and you need to seek professional help.

• Appetite loss or binge eating
• Frequent headaches
• Sleep disorders like insomnia
• Heart palpitations and increased heart rate
• Weak immune system
• Digestive and bowel issues

Differences between Gambling Addiction and Problem Gambling

While people often use the terms problem gambling and gambling addiction interchangeably, the two conditions are different. Problem gamblers continue to wager despite the negative consequences of their actions. They are preoccupied with gambling but have not yet lost full control. As a result, they spend more time and money than they can afford, even though the behavior hurts their lives.

Gambling addiction, also known as compulsive gambling, is an impulse-control disorder that makes it impossible for sufferers to resist the urge to gamble. They bet compulsively even when they know the harm it causes to them and their loved ones. The condition is similar to alcoholism and substance addiction. In short, not all problem gamblers are gambling addicts, but all addicts experience problem gambling.