Responsible gambling

With the rise of online casinos, the gambling industry experienced massive growth. These days, it is estimated that it generates more than $450 billion in annual revenue. Its expansion has a few advantages and disadvantages. Thanks to the expansion, countries receive far more tax revenue. The money is then diverted to good causes such as Red Cross, RG funding, etc. Gambling establishments also employ thousands of people. However, the one big con of the expansion is the higher risk of developing gambling harm.

Now that people can access casino games from the comfort of their homes or on the go via their mobile phones, the likeliness of them becoming addicted is higher than ever. Take Australia as an example. Research shows over 80% of its adults participate in some form of gambling. Addiction is considered public health issue there.

All of this shows that the need for responsible gambling enforcement is higher than ever. That’s what we are going to talk about in this article. We’ll see how online and land-based casinos make sure that their players gamble safely and what should you do if you notice that you’re at risk. We’ll also talk about how you can make sure that you play safe and have fun.

How Online Casinos Ensure Responsible Gambling?

We’ll start things off by breaking down online casinos and their dedication to RG. Licensed online casinos have a KYC requirement, meaning that they have to verify the identities of their players. In most cases, this is so that the casino can confirm that the player is of legal age. There’s a small twist here, though. Many sites will likely require you to send a bank account statement. This is so that the casino can look into your spending power. If the operator notices that you are spending more than you can afford, then it has the authority to suspend your account. To add up, these sites partner with responsible gambling organizations to track behaviours and act if they see any anomalies. Some of the world’s most well-known organizations of this character are:

GAMSTOP

GamCare

Responsible Gambling Council (RGC)

National Council on Problem Gambling

Self-Exclusion Programs and Deposit Limits

In most cases, casinos will track your gambling activities and suspend your account if you overspend on the games. The good thing is that you can also suspend your account. Licensed casinos have selfexclusion programs. You can enrol in them at any time and shut your account off for as long as you think is needed. And if that is not enough, online casinos will allow you to set daily, weekly or monthly deposit limits. Once you cross them, you will not be able to fund your account and play for real money.

Do All Online Casinos Enforce Responsible Gambling?

Unfortunately, not all online casinos enforce responsible gambling. Many unlicensed sites have one goal – scam players and make quick cash. These sites do not care about the health of players and that is why you should avoid them. The best way to see whether a casino enforces responsible gambling is to visit its official website and scroll to the bottom. The footer will show all the license information and RG partnerships. If they are not present, then you shouldn’t even register.

Responsible Gambling at Land-based Casinos

Land-based casinos have a different approach to responsible gambling. They track the activities of all players via surveillance footage and collect information on those that spend a lot of money. If they notice that you are exaggerating, then they have the authority to kick you out. Not only that, but they collect information on these players and they can block their access in the future.

What’s the Cost of RG Counseling?

As mentioned earlier, RG organizations are usually state-funded. Governments use gambling tax revenue to sponsor them. As a result, these agencies offer free services. After all, their goal is to help you overcome your addiction and make sure that you don’t fall into that trap once again.

How to Make Sure that You Gamble Responsibly?

Both land-based and online casinos have certain tools to help players gamble responsibly. The biggest factor is still the player, though. You must make sure that you play for fun and don’t allow yourself to fall into the ditch. There are several things that you can do to make sure that you continue playing without any risks. Let’s check them out.

Limit Your Time and Budget

The first and arguably the most important thing that you should do is limit your time and budget. If you cross any of these two limits, you call it a day. The best way to ensure that you play responsibly is to set daily limits. When you play at online casinos, you can set deposit limits and they can help you play responsibly.

Never Chase After Wins and Losses

Next, players often get caught up in a winning or losing streak. Their logic is that a good win is always on the horizon, regardless if they lost the previous 10 or won them. This is a major misconception about gambling. Gambling games are games of chance. Each outcome is random. You may win three rounds and lose one, but you can also lose 20 rounds in a row. So, regardless if you are on a good or bad streak, never get caught up and chase after wins or losses.

Don’t Get Addicted to Bonuses and Promotions

Online casinos are known for providing players with various deposit and no deposit bonuses. These include:  Welcome bonuses  Cashback offers  Free spins  Match bonuses  VIP programs  Bonus money Sometimes, players might get caught up in these rewards and do anything they can to claim them, even if they don’t apply to their favourite games. We advise you not to do so because using funds on games that you are not familiar with means that the chances of losing are higher.

Play Demos Before Gambling for Real Money

The best way to get familiar with certain casino games is to try their demo versions. Of course, this option is available at online casinos only. Demo versions allow you to play for free. You won’t win any real money rewards, but you won’t lose real money if you don’t win a bet.