How to Gamble Responsibly at Online Casinos

Cool-off Periods

Cool-off periods enable customers to take temporary breaks from gambling. Players can usually activate the feature from their accounts’ settings to suspend their access for periods ranging from 24 hours to several weeks. The available timeframes vary across different online casinos but the feature can definitely help you scale down your gambling.

Time Limits

Time limits are a viable option for players looking to reduce the amount of time they spend gambling. The casino software will either log them out automatically when the time is up or notify them via a pop-up message.

Deposit Limits

Deposit limits are a must-have RG feature at all reputable gambling sites. Players can set restrictions on their deposits for the day, week, or month and adjust them via the cashier at any time. If the gamblers want to further reduce the amount, the change occurs immediately. In case the request is to increase the deposit limit, the change takes effect after 24 hours.

Restrictions on Games

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

Game History

Game history enables players to track the betting activity of their accounts, including the overall amounts they have wagered, their winnings, and losses during 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 symptoms of problem gambling. In most cases, the assessment test comprises a list of yes-no questions but some operators offer interactive surveys where players receive a score at the end.

Self-exclusion

Self-exclusion is another useful tool prominently featured at gambling sites. Players who feel they can no longer control the amount of time or money they spend on gambling can request temporary or permanent suspension of their accounts. Temporary exclusion is typically available for fixed timeframes of six months, a year, three, 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 a different site run by the company will prove futile.

There is usually the option to request a manual withdrawal of the account’s remaining balance. Excluded players are also removed from the casino’s marketing list so that 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 across regulated online casinos. You can normally 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 strictly confidential.

Advice on Responsible Gambling

Advice on responsible gambling is offered by all reputable operators. The tips are usually listed in bullet format, advising customers to set deposit limits, not to gamble 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 reasons to believe you are at risk.

• Mental illnesses, such as depression, anxiety, bipolar, obsessive-compulsive, and personality disorders, can render you more vulnerable to developing a gambling problem. People who suffer from such disorders sometimes use gambling as a tool for self-medication. Gambling affects the brain’s reward system and causes 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 to engage in gambling at a much younger age, which allows the problem to gradually develop over time. Women are not immune, either, but typically become problem gamblers 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 is also a factor in certain cases, 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 play a role as gambling-related problems are more widespread among younger and middle-aged people. The age at which a person starts gambling is also a factor. Various studies indicate that most adult problem gamblers have started to engage in those activities 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 them in their own behavior early on and nip the problem in the bud.

If you suspect your relationship with gambling has started to become problematic, go through the list of psychological symptoms below. In case you exhibit several of them, you should 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 themselves as stress-related health issues like those we outline 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, there are differences between the two conditions. Problem gamblers continue to engage in wagering regardless of the negative consequences of their actions. Such people are preoccupied with gambling but have not yet lost full control. They tend to spend more money and time than they can afford despite the negative impact this behavior has on their lives.

Gambling addiction, also known as compulsive gambling, is an impulse-control disorder where those affected find it impossible to overcome the urge to gamble. They bet impulsively despite the fact their actions are harmful to them and their loved ones. The condition is similar to alcoholism and substance addiction. The bottom line is not all problem gamblers are gambling addicts, but all addicts suffer from problem gambling.