Online casino gaming has been on the rise for a number of years as increasing numbers of people gain access to the internet through smartphones and tablets. However, over the past few months, the industry has seen an even greater surge due to the consequences of the coronavirus pandemic.
With millions around the world instructed to stay, and work, from home and with entertainment venues and facilities closed, people have turned to the internet for ways to entertain themselves and pass the time.
As well as streaming services like Netflix and Amazon Prime benefiting from stay-at-home orders, online casinos have also been one of the winners of the pandemic.
However, while online casino games can provide a great deal of fun, they can lead to problem gambling for players who are inexperienced and unaware of the symptoms.
To keep online casinos enjoyable, here are a few important things to keep in mind.
Familiarise yourself with the games
Most online casinos have a huge library of games to play, from blackjack, roulette, and poker, to slot machines, virtual sports, and bingo, plus many more.
While any beginner can get lucky with a few spins or cards, that good fortune will not last, so it’s vital to understand the rules and strategies of the games you are playing.
There is no foolproof method to always beating the casino but learning about the best bets in roulette helps. You can check them here: https://extra.betamerica.com/casino-news/best-bets-in-roulette-popular-roulette-numbers-to-bet-on/
You can also learn basic strategies for blackjack, percentage outcomes in poker, and the workings of a slot machine, which at least gives the players the knowledge and tools to approach these games in the right way.
The majority of online casino games offer free versions, so players can get involved and learn how games work before playing for real money.
Set a budget
This appears on every ‘safe gambling’ article on the internet because it’s the most important and effective way to avoid the clutches of problem gambling.
Whether it’s a weekly or monthly budget, set aside what you can afford to lose and stick to it. Online casinos are forms of entertainment, not money-making schemes, so they should be viewed as such. How much money are you willing and able to spend for this form of entertainment?
‘Chasing’ is a common feeling that gamblers experience after a succession of losses as they believe their luck will eventually turn. If you experience this, remind yourself that online casinos are just for fun, log out, and return when your set budget allows.
While budget-setting is most pertinent to avoid huge losses, it’s also important at the other end of the spectrum, so make sure you have a limit that you hit so you can stop playing. Eventually, good luck will turn, and all your hard-earned winnings will get drained. Have a set limit for winnings, cash out your profits, and leave your original stake for another day.
Setting budgets and adhering to them can take a lot of self-discipline, but there are tools that can help, which brings us on to the next point…
Use tools where needed
The majority of online casino operators have features that limit the amount you can deposit in your account over a set time period. This can be adjusted inside your profile, so you can, for instance, set a limit of £50 per week, and once that full amount has been deposited, you will not be able to make a new deposit until seven days later.
Should you wish to adjust the limits, most online casinos will not allow its members to do so for at least 24 hours, allowing players the time to cool off.
There are additional, external tools that can be linked to casino accounts, many of which can be downloaded from app stores. These include blocking players from accessing their accounts at certain times of the day.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help
For people who are experiencing problem gambling or addiction, they will always find ways around the obstacles that are designed to limit their casino time. If you can feel the onset of gambling dependency or addiction – or someone you know is showing signs – there are a number of resources that are available to provide information and support.
These resources, including websites, live chats, helplines, and support groups, are operated by trained professionals who can offer advice and guidance to help players confront any potential problems.
Even if you are highly unlikely to develop any problem gambling tendencies, it’s still advisable to visit these resources to get an understanding of how gambling addiction is developed, so you can be aware of it in others.
Read more on The Vivant
