Online casinos can provide hours of entertainment, with hundreds of games to play and the prospect of winning money. However, it’s vitally important to keep online casinos as a fun hobby and not allow serious habits – or worse, addiction – to take shape.
By implementing these easy-to-follow tips, you can enjoy online casinos without ever having to worry about the prospect of a potential spiral.
Always view online gambling as entertainment
There are plenty of viral videos and social media posts of people winning thousands through online casino games that it can be tempting to think it can happen to you, too. What those videos don’t show is, more often than not, those same players have lost a lot of money to eventually land those jackpot wins.
Such huge wins are extremely rare and while they do happen, you should not approach online casino betting with the sole aim of trying to win thousands of pounds/dollars/euros.
Always view online gambling as a form of entertainment: sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. Also, always remember to consult expert tips before start playing a casino game online. Like the roulette strategy advice from BetAmerica: https://extra.betamerica.com/casino/roulette/strategy/
Set limits – and stick to them
This applies to both time and money. Regarding time limits, set yourself an allotted amount of time to play online casino betting games and make sure you stick to it. This will avoid you wasting your days on blackjack tables or slot machines when there are many other productive ways to spend your days.
Also, by setting time limits, it will instill a level of self-discipline. This will help you walk away when you’ve promised yourself, whether you’re on a hot streak or if you’re losing.
Setting monetary limits is even more important. Work out an exact amount you can afford to spend each week or month and do not pump more money into your account if you lose it all. The same applies to if you’re winning: set a limit for where you will cash out. When luck is with you, it can feel like you’ll win forever. You won’t. Eventually, the luck will turn, so when you hit your cash-out number, withdraw your funds, leave in your initial capital, and return to the games another day.
Most online casino betting companies have in-built tools that allow you to set limits on your time and deposits, so if you feel the urge to break your self-imposed limits, consider using those tools.
Do not use a credit card to gamble
Credit cards are a slippery slope. The interest is enormous and trying to pay them off can take years. There can be a temptation to deposit money into online casinos using a credit card because it doesn’t feel like you’re directly playing with your own money. Some companies don’t even accept debit cards, leaving you vulnerable to using a credit card. But it will affect you much worse in the long-term.
Instead, take a look at the payment options for the online casino company and see if you can deposit through PayPal or a virtual card like Neteller or Paysafe. By doing so, you can also control your limits by transferring a set amount each month and sticking to the money in those accounts.
Don’t gamble to compensate
Gambling can cause a wide range of emotions, from euphoric highs to deflating lows. For problem gamblers, chasing those highs becomes more important than winning large stacks of cash.
Therefore, if you’re battling with conditions or circumstances like depression, loneliness, and stress, do not use gambling as a means to cope.
Like drugs, gambling can cause addiction because of the feelings of euphoria a win can create, so if you’re turning to online casino games to compensate for other areas of unhappiness, you’re leaving yourself vulnerable to developing a gambling dependency.
Educate yourself about problem gambling
Like many other areas of life, education is the key to identifying and addressing problems, and the same applies to problem gambling. Educating yourself about safe gambling practices is imperative for everyone, even if you know you do not have a problem or are unlikely to develop one.
Understanding what causes gambling addiction, how to avoid it, and the best measures to take can not only help you avoid any potential issues but will give you the knowledge to identify any trends or habits that might develop with friends or family members.
There are many resources available, including websites, helplines, and clinics that can provide you all the information you need.