Gambling online should be treated as a leisure pastime, as an entertainment choice the same as going out for a meal or going to the theater or cinema. For many people though gambling ends up crossing incrementally from entertainment option to problematic gambling to addictive behavior. Such problematic gambling can have a negative impact over an individual’s life, not only financially but also mentally. Excessive gambling on a constant basis can put individuals under tremendous mental pressure, and can lead to a situation where more money is put at risk than one can afford.
To combat problematic gambling and promote responsible gambling read our guide below which explains which individuals can find themselves prone to negative gambling behavior and how you can take actions to gamble responsibly.
Who could be at risk of problematic gambling?
First off, pathological gambling can be said to be somewhat genetically inherited. Thus, some people are more likely to get addicted to it and are under greater risk of developing other problematic or destructive behaviors) For those who realize they have some form of problematic gambling behavior, it’s probably been at the back of their mind ever since they were first exposed to gambling. They were always much more keen to gamble than their friends, and always felt it’s a supreme experience which is second to none.
Such individuals should be aware of their situation, and are generally advised not to participate in any gambling activity as it’s a slippery slope for them. If they choose to gamble they should do so cautiously and under the form of supervision of trusted friends, that can monitor their behavior and notify them when they cross the line between entertainment and addiction.
The second risk group is people who are undergoing tremendous pressure or have experienced a traumatic event in their lives. These extreme situations can have an impact on one’s gambling pattern and can turn recreational gamblers into compulsive gamblers. It’s best to avoid gambling when life isn’t stable.
The third group is people who are not in a position to make decisions about their life. Anyone younger than the legal gambling age in Canada, 18, should cease even considering to gamble (and no casino would allow them to play). People who are mentally challenged or suffer from other conditions and are appointed with legal guardians should not consider gambling.
How To Gamble Responsibly
Whether you think you’re the type or person with addictive tendencies or have just started to play online, following our five key rules below and looking at how the online sites themselves can help manage your gaming will enable you to play online in a healthy and fun way.
Five Rules of Responsible Online Gambling
1) Choose to gamble online for entertainment purposes (professional gambling is something completely different).
2) View any money you lose as the cost of your entertainment (the same as the money you’d have spent on a meal out or the price of a theater ticket) and any money you win just as a bonus
3) Set a bankroll for your gaming and stick to it.
4) Set a time limit to your playing activities and stick to it
5) Expect to lose as there is always a house edge
How the online casinos promote responsible gambling
Unlike their ‘bricks and mortar’ counterparts which have been accused of creating environments that can lead to problematic gambling e.g. by not having any clocks or windows to distort the feeling of time spent in the casino, their online counterparts have adopted an altogether maturer approach to problematic gambling implementing policies and tools to promote responsible gambling.
Some of the tools which our recommended casinos offer:
- Time outs – at your request the casino can close your account for a specific period of time e.g. from 24 hours to 6 weeks+. During this time you won’t be able to access your account and the casino will stop sending any marketing / promotional materials. The account will ‘re-activate’ at the end of the time-out period.
- Self-exclusion – a step further down the line from ‘time outs’, online casino sites at your request can block your account indefinitely i.e. it won’t re-activate at the end of a time period. To re-activate the account you would specifically need to contact customer support, with most casinos normally re-opening the account after a 24hr to 48hr cooling off period.
- Loss limits – some Canadian online sites offer loss limits where you can specify how much you are prepared to lose over a time period.
- Deposit limits – set the amount you wish to deposit each week
Protection of Minors
Responsible gambling also means responsible parenting. With the internet so easily accessible in the family home, follows these tips to ensure your minors below the legal age of gambling don’t have the opportunity to gamble online
- Don’t leave your PC / Mac unattended when playing online
- Password protect your casino room account
- Keep your passwords somewhere safe
- Use internet filtering programs to stop minors from accessing gaming sites
Supplementary Sites:
https://www.problemgambling.ca/gambling-help/
https://www.responsiblegambling.org/
https://www.gambleaware.co.uk/
https://www.gamblersanonymous.org/ga/
https://www.cyberpatrol.com/
https://www.netnanny.com/
https://www.gamcare.org.uk/
Disclaimer: This guide does not constitute legal, medical or psychological advice – it’s our opinion on the topic based upon personal experience.
We request you to gamble responsibly. If you believe you are suffering from a gambling addiction, please seek professional help.
