Responsible Gambling in Online Casinos

Online gambling is entertaining and fun, especially with the prospect of winning. But if your gambling behavior gets out of control, these could be the first signs of a gambling addiction. In our article, you will learn what you need to consider when gambling responsibly and how you can recognize an addiction. We will also give you tips on how you can optimize your gambling behavior and which places you can go to help you with a gambling addiction.

What Is Responsible Gaming in Online Casinos?

In principle, responsible gambling describes a conscious and, above all, controlled use of online gambling. This of course includes not only online slots, live casino games and sports betting, but also any activity in which money can be won by participating in a game with a stake. There are several tools you can use to minimize the risk of addiction.

In total, around 1.3 million people in the UK between the ages of 18 and 70 have gambling-related addiction (As of January 2024).

The biggest problem is probably the easy accessibility. Whether online casinos, pubs with slot machines or the arcade around the corner. We are confronted with games of chance every day and they are increasingly found in everyday advertising. This may not be surprising, as the gambling market in the UK alone accounts for almost €60 billion annually.

Tips for Responsible Online Gambling

Participating in online gambling can be extremely exciting and, above all, entertaining. However, this also involves a number of risks that you must be aware of. We have put together some tips below to help you play responsibly and minimize any risks.

Always Set a Budget for Yourself

Before you start gambling, you should set a budget. It is extremely important that you do not exceed your budget and never bet money that you cannot afford to lose. Therefore, only plan to spend money on gambling that you do not need for your living expenses.

Set a Time Limit for Gambling

As with other leisure activities, such as going to the gym, you should also set a time limit for gambling. Because, as with many things that are meant for entertainment, it is easy to lose track of the time around you. One way to do this is to use your cell phone and set a timer to remind you of your time limit.

Never Chase Your Losses

If you've had a “bad run”, you should never chase your losses or increase your stakes significantly. The risk of losing sight of your budget and possibly making further deposits is too great. Instead, take a break and be aware of your losses.

Never Gamble Under the Influence of Alcohol or Drugs

If you have consumed drugs or alcohol, this will in most cases lead to much riskier behavior and will have an extreme impact on your gambling behavior. Always keep a clear head when playing to minimize the risks.

Take Regular Breaks When Playing

Know your limits and take appropriate breaks. During this time, occupy yourself with things that have nothing to do with gambling in order to get some mental distance. This will not only reduce the stress effect, but also prevent impulsivity.

Never Borrow Money

To avoid harm to yourself and your friends, acquaintances or other people, you should never borrow money from them. The risk of losing all your stakes and then not being able to pay the money back is too great.

Pay Attention to Your Emotions When Gambling

When gambling online, emotions can change quickly. From the thrill and euphoria of winning, emotions can quickly turn into anger and frustration, which can lead to impulsive actions. Therefore, always pay attention to your emotions and consider taking a break.

Bankroll Management – Know the Limits When Gambling in the Online Casino

The first step is to compare your expenses with your income to find out what budget you have available for playing in the casinos. When calculating your fixed expenses, include your rent, any loan payments and liabilities, utilities, monthly living expenses and other fixed costs. The difference between your income and expenses then corresponds to your free budget – after deducting a reserve for any emergencies. Only play with money that you can afford to lose.

Use Only One Payment Method for All Casino Deposits & Withdrawals

You can get a better overview of your transactions if you only use one payment option. An e-wallet such as Neteller and Skrill or a separate crypto wallet could be suitable here. You can then deposit your budget there that you have available for gambling. Never use multiple payment methods, as you can quickly lose track of your winnings and losses.

Choose the Right Games

Not all games in the online casino have the same payout ratio. Some slots, such as NoLimit City or Pragmatic Play slots, have an above-average RTP (return to player), whereas other games, such as jackpot slots, have lower payout ratios. Don't necessarily base your decision on the popularity of a game, but pay more attention to the factor of entertainment and enjoyment, as well as the corresponding RTP value of the individual games.

Set Gaming Limits in Online Casinos

Most casinos allow you to set your own limits. These include a time limit, deposit limit and loss limit. This can help you play based on the budget you have set. The deposit limit in particular can protect you from making further deposits and thus accumulating higher losses in the event of a losing streak.

Play With Small Stakes at Online Casinos

Some players are used to betting high in the casino. But at what cost? High stakes can also lead to huge losses quite quickly while playing. Therefore, play with low stakes. If you win a lot, you can always adjust your stakes at your own discretion.

Gambling Addiction Tools & Software to Limit Gambling

NetNanny, GamBlock and BetBlocker are programs designed to help you control your gambling activities and reduce problem gambling behavior.

NetNanny is a software designed primarily for parental control, to help you block children's access to inappropriate content on the Internet. However, NetNanny also has features to block gambling sites and other potentially harmful adult content on the Internet.

GamBlock is a special software that aims to block access to gambling sites. GamBlock works on various platforms and devices such as Windows, Mac, Android and iOS and offers a variety of features to help you combat problem gambling behavior.

BetBlocker is a free app designed to block access to gambling sites on mobile devices. It allows you to create customized block lists and completely block access to gambling sites for specific periods of time.

These tools provide you with an effective way to control access to gambling sites and reduce problem gambling behavior. They can play an important role in helping you monitor your gambling and minimize any negative effects in advance. However, it is important to note that these tools alone are not enough to combat gambling addiction and professional help and support are usually also required.

This Is What You Can Do Yourself If You Think You Are Suffering From A Gambling Addiction

By regularly checking your gaming behavior, you can identify problematic behavior early on and take appropriate measures. The following options are available to you when gambling online.

“Cooling-off” – Taking a Break From Gambling

In many online casinos you have the option of activating a self-exclusion in your profile. You often have the option to choose between 24 hours, a week, a month or up to a year. However, some providers require this self-exclusion to be requested via email or live chat. However, this option is only suitable for a temporary period.

Blocking an Account in an Online Casino

If your gambling behavior becomes a real problem, you as a player should not take any further risks and request that your account be blocked immediately. You can either contact the casino directly or make the appropriate settings in your customer account. We recommend that you inform customer service directly about your gambling addiction in order to prevent them from opening another account. If you have several player accounts with different providers, you should consider blocking all accounts.

Confide in Your Family or Close Friends

Support from people close to you and tell them about your gambling addiction. Even if this may sound daunting at first, it will primarily help you reflect on yourself and create a broader awareness. With the support of people close to you, it is easier to talk about problems with gambling in order to find any help available.

Contact a Counseling Center or Support Group

Always remember that you are not alone. There are many people who exhibit unusual gambling behavior and develop an addiction through participating in gambling. There are special counseling centers that deal with the topic of gambling addiction and can help you. Additionally, there are support groups where you can meet other players to discuss your gambling addiction. At the end of this article you will also find a variety of contact addresses and points of contact that you can turn to.

Player Protection in Online Gambling – These Are the Tools & Options Offered by the Operators

As a player, you have various tools available to you on the website of an online gambling provider that can support responsible gaming. With these tools, customers, in this case you as a player, have the opportunity to set their own limits and implement responsible gaming.

• Deposit limit (maximum deposit amount per day, week or month)
• Loss limit (maximum loss within a defined period)
• Time limit (limitation of playing time)
• Self-exclusion (period varies depending on provider)
• Self-exclusion (complete exclusion from the game and deactivation of the player account)

Unfortunately, not all casinos offer the same options or have restrictions on choosing them yourself. If these are not available in your player account or on the website, you should contact customer service to have them set the appropriate limits or to carry out a self-exclusion or self-ban.

The Most Common Reasons for Problems With Online Gambling Online

Gambling problems can have many causes, but are usually a combination of psychological, environmental and genetic factors. And it is precisely this complexity that often makes it difficult to find the actual cause of the problem and take action against it. Below we have compiled the most common reasons for gambling addiction.

Psychological Factors

Mental Illnesses

Gambling addiction is increasingly associated with other mental illnesses. These include depression, anxiety disorders, and drug, pill and alcohol abuse. Many people use gambling to distract themselves in order to alleviate their symptoms.

Character Traits

Another form of this are personality traits such as an increased willingness to take risks, impulsivity and the so-called “exploratory impulse” to gain new experiences. These characteristics can significantly increase the risk of a possible gambling addiction, especially if you cannot control your own impulses.

Perceptual Distortions Misperceptions

Cognitive misperceptions such as the widespread belief that you are on a winning streak, that “the machine will spit it out” or that you must finally win after big losses can lead to you continuing to gamble even though you are aware of your losses.

Environmental Factors

Social Influences

When it comes to safe gambling, social aspects also have a big influence. If you grow up or live in an environment where people actively participate in gambling, the risk of gambling increases. This often leads to gambling being seen as something normal.

Life Events & Stress

Losing a job or source of income, relationship problems, or financial issues can also lead to gambling being viewed as a way to escape and cope, leading to running away from problems and finding a short-term distraction from them.

Accessibility & Availability

The most serious factor nowadays is the easy accessibility to the online gambling market (lottery, keno, scratch cards, casinos) and especially to online casinos for playing with real money. This can have a huge impact on gambling behavior and possible gambling addiction.

Genetic Factors

Neurological Differences

In the past, there have been a number of studies that have found a link between neurological factors of brain function and structure and a higher number of addicted gamblers. It is assumed that these are mostly genetic in nature and therefore have a higher susceptibility.

Family Predisposition

If family members exhibit addictive behavior, this can also increase the individual's own risk of developing addictive behavior with a family predisposition. Genetic predispositions can influence the individual's own reward system in the brain, making certain people more susceptible to developing an addiction.

Other Factors

Advertising & Marketing

Online casinos sometimes use complex and aggressive advertising strategies to attract new customers. This can create unrealistic expectations about potential winnings. This then creates the impression that gambling is a source of income and that the only way to make a profit is to use it.

The Brain's Reward System

As with the consumption of addictive substances such as alcohol, drugs or pills, gambling can activate the brain's reward system. This has a direct impact on gambling behavior and can lead to people playing again and again despite possible losses.

The Signs of a Gambling Problem – How Do I Know That I Need Help?

Online gambling is entertaining. However, it can cause problems for some players and it is not always easy to recognize gambling addiction. The first signs are negative influences in everyday life that can arise from participating in gambling.

Recognizing these problems is the first step for you to combat gambling addiction and take appropriate measures. We would now like to explain the most common warning signs and symptoms of gambling addiction.

Conclusion

Overall, gambling addiction can have a huge impact on a person's life and lead to a vicious cycle that is difficult to break out of. However, it is important to know that help for gambling addiction is available and that it is possible to recover from gambling addiction.

Professional support, support groups, and support from friends and family can help you get started on the road to recovery and live a healthy, happy life free from gambling.

Therefore, use preventive measures such as well-thought-out bankroll management, set limits and a budget. Also follow our tips to gamble safely and prevent any gambling addiction. Also read How Old Do You Have To Be To Gamble in UK?

Faqs on Responsible Gaming in Online Casinos