Top Tips for Responsible Gambling in Social Casinos
Responsible gaming is what makes the gaming experience enjoyable in the world of social casinos. The lure of virtual currency, as well as the thrill of possible wins, makes it very simple to forget limits and boundaries. In this article, you will find important tips to guide you through the world of social casinos responsibly. Setting a budget and understanding gambling as entertainment, recognizing warning signs of problem gambling are only some of these guidelines which will help you enjoy your gaming to the fullest, without putting your well being at risk. And let’s see how you can have safe and responsible play at social casinos!
1. Set a Budget and Stick to It
While social casinos use virtual currency in their games, many still permit players to buy in with actual money, in the form of coins or credits. Set yourself a budget for how much you are going to spend before you start playing. It should be apart from your rent, bills, and savings. After earmarking a budget, make sure to stay within that budget, and don’t bet more than you can afford to lose. Social casinos are meant for entertainment, not profit remembering that.
2. Consider Gambling as Entertainment, Never as Revenue Stream
Social casino gaming is all about entertainment, not money making. Although it’s possible to win something from sweepstakes casinos, the odds are still stacked against you. Don’t bank on making money from them either, just enjoy their fun and excitement. If you set realistic expectations at the start, then you will be able to keep the relationship with gambling healthy.
3. Take Regular Breaks
Fatigue from playing for long periods can affect your judgment, making you make impulsive decisions. In order to avoid this, be sure to regularly take breaks, to get a reset of your strategy, to clear your head, and to make sure you don’t lose track of yourself too much in the game. Breaks also help you keep the happiness between gaming and other stuff that you do in your life.
4. Avoid Chasing Losses
Another common mistake that the players are making is a chasing loss, because the players keep playing to recapture the coins lost. This frequently results in greater losses and a greater feeling of frustration. Realize that loss is just part of the game and never do anything rashly to win it all back. The best thing to do when you’re on a losing streak is to step away and do it another time.
5. Be Mindful of Time
In social casinos, the stakes aren’t necessarily as high so it’s easy to lose track of time when playing because you’ve got this game in front of you that you’re really getting into. Set time limits to your gaming sessions so you are gambling responsibly. Some social casinos will provide you with tools to track how much time you spend online, and give you the power to manage your playtime and integrate it with the rest of your life.
6. Know Your Financial Limits
Be aware of how much you spend, and how much that fits into your overall picture. Real money is important even with virtual currency, since social casinos are real casinos that must inform you of how much real money you’re investing in the game. Always remember – never borrow money to play, and if gaming is affecting your finances, and you feel it might be time to take a bit of a step back.
7. Don’t Drink Alcohol or Use Any Drugs Impairing Your Judgment
Gambling and alcohol do not mix. Playing and consuming alcohol and other substances increases your chance to make poor decisions and recklessly behave. While you gamble, it is proper that you should always have a clear mind to make more informed and responsible decisions.
8. Responsible Gambling Tools Section Will Tell You How to Make Use of These Tools
Tools to help you manage your gaming activity can be found in most reputable social casinos. If you start feeling you need a break from the game be it temporarily or permanently these may be including setting deposit limits, time reminders as well as excluding yourself from it if you want. Use these features to stay in charge and to make sure gambling does not turn into a problem.
9. Learning the Warning Signs of Problem Gambling
Everyone should know the warning signs of problematic gambling — even in social casinos. Preoccupation with gambling, such as planning and scheming to get money with which to gamble, nonproductivity, or spending excessive time making bets. Neglecting responsibilities, such as work, school, or family activities and obligations. Hiding the problem, such as keeping gambling private or lying about its extent. Increasingly needing to gamble with larger amounts of money in order to achieve the desired excitement. If you as yourself or someone else you see these behaviors it is a must you get help before it is too late.
10. Know Where to Seek Help
If you or someone you know has gambling problems, help is available. Support for people with gambling addiction is available through organizations like Gamblers Anonymous, the National Council on Problem Gambling and GamTalk. Many social casinos also link to responsible gambling resources so you can get the help you need.
Conclusion
Social casinos are fun and low risk place to game, as long as you play responsibly. So, how do you know when your social casino is no longer fun? By setting limits, taking breaks and not chasing losses amongst them, you can make sure your experience doesn’t turn into a nightmare. Remember to enjoy this, not ruin your lives.
Keeping these tips in mind while gaming you can have fun social casino gaming experience without putting your physical, emotional, and financial well-being at risk.
Seeking Professional Help?
As with the advice we’ve given with regards to responsible gaming and how to handle gambling issues, we must inform you that there are professional groups that support you to keep your gambling habits in check.
The National Council on Problem Gambling is one of the primary U.S. organizations assisting problem gamblers. This nonprofit offers support anywhere in the country for those who need it.
If you require professional assistance, you can contact them through the following options:
Phone: 1-800-GAMBLER
Text: 800GAM
Chat: 1800gamblerchat.org
You can also find local problem gambling resources in your state with contact details below.
| State | Local State Resources | Problem Gambling Hotline |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Alabama Council on Compulsive Gambling | 334-277-5100 |
| Alaska | – | 1-800-GAMBLER |
| Arizona | Arizona Council on Compulsive Gambling | 480-802-4945 |
| Arkansas | Arkansas Problem Gambling Council | 501-403-2321 |
| California | California Council on Problem Gambling | 714-765-5804 |
| Colorado | Problem Gambling Coalition of Colorado | 303-662-0772 |
| Connecticut | Connecticut Council on Problem Gambling | 959-230-4034 |
| Delaware | Delaware Council on Gambling Problems | 888-850-8888, 302-438-8888 |
| Florida | Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling | 888-ADMIT-IT, 888-236-4848 |
| Georgia | – | 1-800-GAMBLER |
| Hawaii | – | 1-800-GAMBLER |
| Idaho | – | 1-800-GAMBLER |
| Illinois | – | 1-800-GAMBLER |
| Indiana | Indiana Council on Problem Gambling | 800-994-8448, 317-632-1364 |
| Iowa | – | 1-800-GAMBLER |
| Kansas | Kansas Coalition on Problem Gambling | 785-266-8666 |
| Kentucky | Kentucky Council on Problem Gambling | 502-223-1823 |
| Louisiana | Louisiana Association on Compulsive Gambling | 1-877-770-STOP, 318-227-0883 |
| Maine | Maine Council on Problem Gambling, Inc. | 207-520-0293 |
| Maryland | Maryland Council on Problem Gambling, Maryland Center of Excellence on Problem Gambling | 443-292-2809, 667-214-2120 |
| Massachusetts | Massachusetts Council on Gaming and Health | 1-800-327-5050, 617-426-4554 |
| Michigan | Michigan Association on Problem Gambling | 800-270-7117, 517-672-6904 |
| Minnesota | Minnesota Alliance on Problem Gambling | 1-800-333-HOPE, 612-424-8595 |
| Mississippi | Mississippi Council on Problem and Compulsive Gambling | 1-888-777-9696, 601-853-8351 |
| Missouri | – | 1-800-GAMBLER |
| Montana | Montana Council on Problem Gambling | 888-900-9979, 406-438-1276 |
| Nebraska | Nebraska Council on Problem Gambling | 1-833-BETOVER, 402-890-0504 |
| Nevada | Nevada Council on Problem Gambling | 702-369-9740 |
| New Hampshire | – | 603-724-1605 |
| New Jersey | Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey | 609-588-5515 |
| New Mexico | New Mexico Council on Problem Gambling, Responsible Gaming Association of New Mexico | 1-888-696-2440, 505-897-1000 |
| New York | New York Council on Problem Gambling | 1-877-8-HOPENY, 518-867-4084 |
| North Carolina | North Carolina Council on Problem Gambling | 336-370-6952 |
| North Dakota | – | 1-800-GAMBLER |
| Ohio | The Problem Gambling Network of Ohio, Ohio Problem Gambling Online Resource Directory, Ohio for Responsible Gambling | 1-800-589-9966, 614-750-9899 |
| Oklahoma | Oklahoma Association on Problem Gambling and Gaming | 405-801-3329 |
| Oregon | Oregon Council on Problem Gambling | 1-877-MY-LIMIT, 971-361-9333 |
| Pennsylvania | Council on Compulsive Gambling of Pennsylvania, Inc. | 215-643-4542 |
| Rhode Island | Rhode Island Council on Problem Gambling | 401-499-2472, 401-354-2877 |
| South Carolina | – | 1-800-GAMBLER |
| South Dakota | – | 1-800-GAMBLER |
| Tennessee | – | 1-800-GAMBLER |
| Texas | – | 1-800-GAMBLER |
| Utah | – | 1-800-GAMBLER |
| Vermont | – | 1-800-GAMBLER |
| Virginia | Virginia Council on Problem Gambling | 1-888-532-3500, 804-827-0921 |
| Washington | Evergreen Council on Problem Gambling | 1-800-547-6133, 360-352-6133 |
| West Virginia | – | 1-800-GAMBLER |
| Wisconsin | Wisconsin Council on Problem Gambling | 1-800-GAMBLE-5, 920-437-8888 |
| Wyoming | Wyoming Council on Problem Gambling | 307-620-2655 |
