Responsible Gambling
Every gambler will at some point be tempted to raise the stakes, to make another deposit to recuperate losses, or they just find themselves spending too much time in front of the screen.
There are several places to turn to for help if you find that your gambling habits are affecting your life in a negative way, but the trick is to not get there in the first place. Gambling is addictive and breaking a bad habit is much harder than developing it.
Be aware of your habits and do not be afraid to reach out
According to BeGambleAware there are a couple of points that should be kept in mind when gambling, no matter if we are talking sports betting, bingo or online video slots. By being aware of the contents below it is possible to stay healthy while still having a good time when gambling.
Gambling should not be seen as a source of income
First and foremost, gambling is not a way to make money, it is a form of entertainment where it is POSSIBLE to win money. There might be some lucky few punters out there living off gambling but taken as a whole the only one making money off of gambling are the gaming companies. There’s a reason they say ‘the house will always win’ and it is because in the long run the house will always win.
This doesn’t mean you can’t win playing casino games, but it does imply that you are likely to have periods where you are losing. This leads to the second point.
Don't be afraid to reach out
If you are suspecting that you might be developing some bad habits, don’t be afraid to reach out for professional help. Supporting institutions are there for you and you can always be anonymous in your correspondence with them.
One of the most prominent and competent in the area is the organization BeGambleAware and they have some really good pointers to keep in mind which will help make you aware of unhealthy gambling habits at an early stage. We have condensed their reasoning in the following article and urge you to read it thoroughly and remind yourself of it from time to time.
Help is Available
Set limits and stick to them
It is important to set limits in advance and stick to them, this includes how many hours you spend gambling a week and how much you set aside in terms of money. If you find yourself avoiding setting limits or moving already set limits, it is time to reflect on your habits. Keep in mind that you can never lose what you aren’t risking, so never risk what you aren’t prepared to lose.
A lot of UK casinos provides tools to set time limits and attach budgetary constraints to your account, use them if they exist. Many also have algorithms running in the background that are put in place to spot early signs of problematic gambling habits. If you get notified by the system or staff that they are concerned about the way you play, take it serious. Remember, the casino is making money off of you, if they tell you it is time to stop giving them money you can be sure they have good reasons for doing so.
The same goes if someone you know confronts you about your gambling habits. If someone close to you think you are gambling too much, they are probably right.
Keep a clear head and gamble for the right reasons
The final point to take with us regards our state of mind. Since all forms of gambling involve decision-making to some degree it is important to have a clear head.
If you aren’t feeling well or something in your personal life is distracting you, you are not in a good position to be making decisions about money. It is also highly unlikely that gambling will solve those issues, even if you are having a lucky run, but losing money will surely aggravate them. This also includes staying sober.
Coming home from a late night at the pub is not the time for gambling. You will more than likely be overconfident and risk too much. Sure, your hangover might be somewhat remedied if you discover some extra cash on your account the day after, but waking up to an empty bank account will not be as soothing.
Take time off and assess your habits
We are going to leave you with a final piece of practical advice, which will hopefully help you keep casino a fun and enjoyable pastime. Try to take a week off from time to time just to see how it will affect you.
- Are your fingers itching to play some slots after a day or two?
- Finding yourself not enjoying the football game as much as you used to now that you have no money on the line?
Then you should probably take a couple more days off, and when you return to the tables (screen), make sure that you set some clear limits for yourself.
