Gambling is fun, but it is no secret it can lead to risky behaviors and even addiction. According to some stats, Australia is the country with the most problem gamblers and 20% of the world’s slot machines. The UK, at the same time, has a representation of 0.5% problem gamblers in its population. Around the globe, players are struggling to keep their habits safe and responsible.
In an effort to change the way the public perceives gambling activities, and to help gamblers not dive deep into addiction, online casinos offer a range of safe gambling tools and features. Casino patrons can use them to manage the time and money they spend at the casino.
These tools are completely free, and on the best casino sites, users can set limits without asking customer support to do it for them. However, once they want to increase the limits, the company will make them wait for at least 24 hours. That way, they are effectively prevented from topping up on a whim.
It is time to learn more about them!
Money Limit Tools: Avoid Going Into Debt
As the name implies, money limit tools enable players to manage their money more successfully. By doing so, they avoid some of the most common traps:
- Spending more than they can afford;
- Chasing losses;
- Going into debt;
- Developing addiction.
As it is obvious with online casinos best listed on https://onlinekasyno-polis.pl/online-kasyna/, the number of money management tools varies. Some will let users set daily, weekly, and monthly deposit limits, while others are more focused on loss limits or preventing players from losing more money than they can tolerate. When setting money limits it is important to cover living expenses first, decide the amount one can spend on leisure, and only then decide on the gambling budget.
Time Limit Tools: Every Minute Counts
The time players spend at casinos is just as significant in preventing risk overexposure. If you think the time doesn’t matter, know that a survey by Men’s Health magazine showed sports gamblers spend at least 6 hours a day keeping track of odds and bets, even if they are not actively playing. Those who prefer online casinos spend at least 3 times a day playing games. Knowing that one spin lasts no longer than a few seconds, it is easy to see how those bets pile up, simply because gamers spend too much time on casino sites.
But what is the right amount of time to spend on gambling? There is no right or wrong answer, but as a rule of thumb, consider how much time you spend on other hobbies. If you can’t play football with your friends 6 hours a day, you probably shouldn’t gamble that long either.
Notification Systems to Prevent Compulsive Behaviors
The most respectable online casinos often rely on their in-house notification systems that warn players how long they have been playing, reminding them to take a break. Although some gamblers find such messages to be annoying, they are a much-needed reality check. Sounds silly, but if you pay attention, you’ll see they work!
A research published on Science Direct indicates that such warning messages have not a temporary, but a lasting effect. In fact, many gamblers keep them in mind up to a week after receiving them. Acknowledging we need a break is always good, whether it be a classic workday or a gambling session. Gambling fans who obsessively play and ignore notifications that pop up are more prone to displaying risky behaviors.
Self-Assessment Tests: Ask Others to Help You
Self-assessment tests are quizzes that can often be found on online casino sites. They consist of around 20 questions, the gambler has to write down their answers and count them. Then, it is necessary to compare them to the reference chart.
Considering most players tend to underestimate their behavior, it is a good idea to ask someone who trusts you to do the test with you. Having an objective bystander can help individuals understand how they act in their daily lives and whether they are too focused on gambling.
Activate Self-Exclusion to Stop Playing
If everything else fails, gamers can always activate self-exclusion. Triggering this mode prevents them from accessing the site in the first place, and it is possible to choose between taking a weekly, monthly, a yearly break or being blocked forever. It is the ultimate tool for players who have become aware of their habits and want to start fresh and seek help.
Gamblers often think they don’t need these tools, but the truth is quite the opposite. No matter how big or small your bets, it is necessary to set the limits that will keep human nature under control. It is never too early or too late to gamble responsibly.
