Every spin of the reel or flip of the card should be a fun and enjoyable experience. However, online gambling can also be very stressful if you don’t prepare yourself to play responsibly. What exactly do we mean when we say "play responsibly"?
Back in the Middle Ages, countries had to deal with soldiers who were gambling instead of completing their duties. It was irresponsible for those soldiers to neglect their duties, and there were strict consequences. Nowadays, there is no one protecting or disciplining you for choosing to excessively gamble and neglect your life. This is in essence why playing responsibly is even more important than ever before. How do we start playing responsibly?
The first thing a responsible gambler must do is set limits. When we discuss limits, we are referring not only to the amount of money you decide to bring to an online casino; we are also referring to the amount of time you spend gambling, and the personal psycho-physiological signs that indicate you must stop playing.
There is no one-size fits all amount of money that you should budget for gambling online. However, it would be responsible to set a limit that doesn’t impede on your ability to provide the necessities and lifestyle that you want for you and your dependents. Further, it is necessary to remind yourself that while there is a chance at winning money while playing casino games online, you need to plan (and be comfortable with) losing all of your money at the casino. If this is something that you cannot accept, you should reconsider whether or not it is responsible for you to gamble.
There are many online casinos which will also help you set your personal deposit limits. You tell them what your plan is, and they will restrict you to that limit per day, per week, or per month. This is an easy way to set your bankroll limits and ensure they are enforced. If you are worried about becoming addicted to online gambling, you should most certainly inquire with your online casino about setting these types of limits on your account. It is further advised to never borrow money for gambling purposes.
Imagine for a moment that you have been playing a particular online slot game for the last two hours, and you’ve double your initial deposit. If you have developed an addiction, you are receiving a psychological high from your winnings. You believe you can’t lose and will continue playing. Or conversely, you may believe that you’ve had a great run but it is time to switch slot games because you believe your run of winnings will end. In either scenario, you’re not playing responsibly because you’re encouraging yourself to believe in fictitious strategies.
Instead, you should set a time limit for each game or session that you play. Regardless of whether you’re up or down, a strict time limit will ensure you are responsible for your other priorities and interests outside of gambling. This also by extension, limits the amount of money you could lose by forcing you to stop playing.
Your body does not lie. Trust it to warn you when you need to stop playing. Many gamblers at risk for developing serious addictions ignore their own body’s warning signs. You may wonder how you’re going to pay for something once you leave the casino. You may lose track of time while playing. You may believe that you are only another card, spin, or reel away from the big jackpot. All of these are serious warning signs that cannot be ignored. If ignored, you can suffer serious financial hardship.
However, more serious issues like depression, suicide, and strained social relationships are all developed through gambling addiction. If you find yourself depressed about money, thinking about suicide, or have strained relationships because you are gambling, you need to seek immediate professional help.
Remember, gambling should be a form of entertainment. It should not be viewed as a source of income. If you set the right limits and can identify potential warning signs that you may have a gambling addiction, you can play responsibly and enjoy your online gambling experience.