Overview Responsible Gambling
Before you play games for real money, you’re not the online casino’s responsibility. Online casinos are business entities there to make money and lots of it.
They do however equip you with the necessary tools to ensure safe gambling. Ultimately, you’re responsible for your actions, use them! Online gambling calls for mitigating circumstances.
Know the game you’re playing and only play at reputable online casinos with licenses. That’s the only way to play it safe and of course without any worries.
Now, the tools gambling sites equip you with are self-exclude, deposit and session limits, and cooling-off.
US players with gambling-related problems can get help from the National Council of Problem Gambling. Another top organization is Gamblers Anonymous.
At its core, responsible gambling aims to encourage individuals to gamble responsibly. To get the message across they now educate players to understand their odds of winning and losing money.
It’s the online casino’s responsibility to dedicate a webpage to responsible gambling. The jurisdictions where the casinos hold licenses must enforce it. They must monitor player accounts for irregular play and impose verification checks.
Tips on How to Gamble Responsibly
Playing games at online casinos can be fun. But, once you start losing money and chasing your losses things can go South, fast. Luckily the best online casinos in the US keep you on track with the right tools.
When we play slots to win money we use the auto-play function that spins the reels for us. We can set the game to stop once it reaches a certain limit. All that helps with controlling our budget.
- Bankroll Management: Don’t overplay your bankroll, and don’t use a credit card at online casinos.
- Seek help: If you spend a lot of money and you can’t help yourself, contact Gamblers Anonymous. Speak to one of their agents and ask them to help you.
- Self-exclude: Prevention is better than cure. Ask the casino to self-exclude you for at least 6 months. Whatever you do don’t register a new account at another online casino.
- Don’t let gambling steal your time at work: Don’t gamble when you’re at work.
- Play for low stakes: You can still have fun gambling online by playing low-variance games for low stakes. Stay away from volatile games and don’t play blackjack at high roller tables.
- Play games or get a hobby: There are plenty of interactive games you can play without spending a dime.
What Are the Signs of Gambling Addiction?
There are a few telltale signs that indicate when someone has a gambling problem. The most obvious symptom is severe mood swings, and the person is aggressive. Other symptoms include sleep deprivation and anxiety.
We’ve learned that if you don’t nip the problem in the bud, it will get the better of you. It can lead to a nervous breakdown and financial ruin. Other problems that can lead to problem gambling:
- Borrowing money to gamble at online casinos.
- Lying about your gambling habits.
- When gambling comes first above anything else.
- When people try and replace gambling with the loss of a friend or family member.
- Depression kicks or suicidal thoughts kick in when the person is not gambling.
- Using gambling as a means to escape debt, loneliness, depression, or guilt.
When in doubt we kindly invite you to complete the Gamblers Anonymous 20 questions.
Where to Get Help for Gambling Addiction
There are many organizations where players from the US can get help from. One of them we rate highly is the National Council on Problem Gambling. They cover all 50 states and they’re available 24/7 throughout the year.
Another institution where gamblers from the UK can get help is responsiblegambling.org. They provide support in different languages throughout the globe as well.
National Council on Problem Gambling
Let’s circle back to the US again to take a look at the National Council on Problem Gambling. They operate across all the states with a helpline that’s available around the clock.
Quick Facts About the NCPG
Institution’s Name |
National Council on Problem Gambling |
Address |
730 11th St, NW, Ste 601 Washington, DC 20001, USA |
Phone Number |
202-547-9204 |
Website |
www.ncpgambling.org |
Email |
[email protected] |
Meetings |
No |
Group Discussions |
Yes |
The National Council on Problem Gambling provides help across tribal, and state lines. They’ve been doing it since 1972, therefore, they’ve got it down to a “T”.
Australia Responsible Gambling
Australia has a long way to go when it comes to responsible gambling. Since the early 1990s responsible gambling has been a much-debated issue by the Australian government.
One of the restrictions the government enforces is pokie machines in bars only have a maximum bet of AU$5. Another restriction they have in place is the speed at which players can bet.
The cash amount they can feed into the machines. Online casinos that welcome Australians must ban players if they gamble more than they can afford to lose. The only way to do that is to keep proper tabs on their accounts.
Responsible Wagering Australia and New Zealand
Each state in Australia has its own governing body that oversees gambling. Players who need help with problem gambling can contact the Australian Gambling Council.
The organization also supports players from New Zealand. They provide a variety of guides that educate players about the pitfalls of excessive gambling. They give them a bunch of tips about bankroll management and which games to play.
Canada Responsible Gambling
Canadians love to gamble online, but sadly some individuals often go too far. They chase their losses hoping to strike that life-changing jackpot win. Statistics prove that your chances of winning a jackpot are extremely remote.
Responsible Gambling Council (RGC)
Canadians can get help from the Responsible Gambling Council Canada or RGC. The resources they provide include responsible gambling, and they train individuals to help others. People can phone them at +1 (416) 499-9800.
Europe Responsible Gambling
Mainland Europe is huge and there are many countries each with its gambling laws and regulations. Regulations are there to protect the welfare of players and to ensure fair play.
The EU’s role is to ensure that its member states have the necessary responsible gambling policies in place. The minimum age to gamble online is 18 to 21 depending on the member state.
Responsible gambling is important as well. Players from Europe can get help from a variety of sources. Players from Denmark for example can visit Gamblersanonymous.
UK Responsible Gambling
The UK government is currently busy with legislation that will stop UK online casinos from accepting credit cards. The cop on the beat is the British Gambling Commission.
Their job is to ensure that the casinos have the necessary responsible gambling tools in place. That ensures that players will have fun and it prevents them from sustaining harm.
Why Do We Encourage It?
CasinoWhizz promotes responsible gambling by warning its visitors about the pitfalls of excessive gambling. We have a moral obligation and we promote it sustainably.
We warn players that online gambling is a source of entertainment and not to get rich. So, where can players from the UK get help if they have a gambling problem?
An organization that tops our list is GamCare. They offer anonymous assistance and people can download their free app GamBan onto their phones. The app automatically bans online gambling sites.
GamStop has a facility that enables users to self-exclude them from all the UK online casinos. Moreover, contact the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133.
GamAnon
GamAnon in the UK helps gambling addicts via Zoom by hosting weekly group meetings. Recovering addicts can host group meetings offering assistance to others. If you’re from the UK, you can contact them at [email protected].
Getting Help Offline and Online
Many players won’t acknowledge that they have a gambling problem until it’s too late. You’re on your way to recovery when you admit that you have a problem. As the saying goes honesty is the best policy.
Online casinos have session limits in place that prevent you from playing for long sessions. We’re fans of self-exclusion and gambling blockers because they stop you from gambling.
Unfortunately, land-based casinos don’t offer the same level of protection as their online cousins. If you’re a problem gambler don’t visit a land casino.
Gamblers Anonymous paints a gloomy picture with their latest land casino stats. If your gambling problem persists, seek professional help.
Preventative Measures for Online Gambling
The online casinos that welcome US players have a responsible gambling page on their websites. They offer players options to cool off, self-exclude, deposit, and session limits.
They have disclaimers warning you against the pitfalls of playing casino games to win money. Before you sign up, check if the casino offers the following tools:
- Self-Exclusion: You can request the site to close your account or block you indefinitely. Remember to withdraw all your cash from your account before you self-exclude.
- Deposit limits: They give you the option to transfer smaller cash amounts. Thus helping you with budget control.
- Loss limits: A reminder will pop up notifying you that you’ve played so long and lost so much money.
- Cool off: Contact the casino and ask them to block you for a week up to 6 months.
Land Casino Responsible Gambling
Land casinos often give lip service when it comes to responsible gambling. Worst case scenario they don’t have any player protection policies in place. Are there any preventative measures land casinos can use for responsible gaming? Yes, there are:
- Limit alcohol usage: Players love to have a pint when they play their favorite games. Casinos can limit the consumption of alcohol, and stop servicing drunk patrons.
- Limit advertising campaigns: Land casinos are masters when it comes to getting the word out there. Their campaigns should exclude minors.
- Proper training: They should train their employees to spot a problem gambler immediately. How many times have you seen older folk selling their watch or cameras for gambling money? We have, plenty of times.
- Impose limits on their credit cards: Casinos should impose daily limits for credit card players.
- Offering help: Land casinos must assist their problem gamblers by giving them proper treatment. The federal government can give them tax incentives.
Signs of Addiction: Children and Gambling
It is sad to see children frequent the lobbies of casinos. Or when their parents leave them in cars while they gamble. The sad reality is minors often face the brunt of it.
Get help right away if you see the following:
- When a child buys a lottery ticket or begs for money to play a slot machine in a pub.
- They frequently ask what’s the results at a major sporting event.
- The child steals or borrows money to fund their gambling habit.
- Statistics show that if the parents were gamblers the child would be too.
Online Casinos to Avoid
If the site has a poor reputation from the top review sites, avoid it. Sites that operate without a license or which don’t endorse responsible gambling will steal your money. They don’t certify which company tested the RNGs of their games for fairness.
Furthermore, their withdrawal limits are low and they take ages to pay. For example, some sites will state that they settle crypto payments within 5 days. Whereas Wild Casino pays casino wins via Bitcoin within minutes. See the difference?
Another thing is they don’t use reputable software providers. We know all the mainstream brands, anything out of the ordinary, we dump it. Finally, the online casino does not use SSL encryption to protect your data.
Conclusion Responsible Gambling
More than 60% of Americans have gambled within the past year, or so. Understandably so because most states in the US permit gambling except Alaska, Hawaii, and Utah.
Around 2 million players in the US are problem gamblers and 4% have some form of gambling addiction. Can you see why it’s important to use responsible gaming tools at online casinos?
If you have a problem controlling your spending at a casino use the resources in this guide right away.