by Stormtrooper on Jul 13, 2023
"There's still time for one more round" - does this thought sound familiar? When gambling in an online casino, it is insanely easy to lose track of time and get lost in the depths of what is on offer. Especially since slot machines are fundamentally a fast-moving game, the need to start a new round over and over again is great. However, too much activity in the gambling hall, whether virtual or land-based, can harbour a whole host of dangers.
Anyone who has dealt with the topic of gambling has certainly faced the risk of addiction to casino games. For many people, this risk seems distant, but their own assessment is unfortunately often clouded. In the following article, you will learn how to recognise and prevent gambling addiction in time, as well as what the time limits are.
Let's first look at the risks and dangers that can actually be associated with casino games. It doesn't matter if you're a slot machine lover or a classic casino game player, such as roulette, blackjack or poker, anyone can become addicted to gambling, and for a variety of reasons. Of course, a large number of casino games provide great entertainment. Thanks to numerous software developers, there are so many games available that you can spend weeks trying out all the games from one provider. To make the best choice more quickly, use review sites, such RateIt Casino, where you can find a lot of information related to games from top industry providers.
This is exactly what many people are looking for, as they want to enjoy games with the best payout rates, bonus features and, of course, that are particularly interesting. In the process, you lose a lot of time that could have been spent on other things. An equally serious factor in gambling addiction is the fact that addicts often risk their entire fortune and even go into debt. The appeal of winning real money is enormous. However, for many people, it becomes too much, especially after a person is lucky enough to win a large sum. Instead of stopping there, many people want more and put everything or nothing on the line.
Here we have summarised all the possible consequences of gambling addiction for you:
Loss of all assets
Large debts
The threat of losing your job
The threat to relationships with partners, family and friends
Risk of suicide
Loss of other hobbies
If you like to play slot machines in your spare time, that's perfectly fine. However, it becomes dangerous if you spend so much time playing and so often that all other hobbies, leisure activities and social contacts suffer and are largely or even completely put on the back burner. This is one of the main factors that can be used to recognise the development of a gambling addiction; other aspects of leisure and social contacts no longer seem important enough to interrupt the game.
The transition from normal gambling behaviour to more extreme behaviour often happens so quickly that players themselves do not even notice it. That's why it's even more important to keep your finger on the pulse and set clear guidelines from the start. Setting a time limit is a great thing to start with. Depending on when you usually prefer to play, you can schedule an hour or two in the evening, after work, or just use your lunch break for a little fun.
However, it is important not only to have the desire but also to stick to this time frame. Those who think that they don't need to follow it so closely or take it seriously in the beginning, will get sucked into an addiction faster than they might suspect. To make it easier to stick to time limits, virtual casinos also offer favourable customisation options - but more on that later.
Setting fixed times for gambling is a good first step towards keeping your gambling activity under control. However, there are other measures you can take as a complement or alternative. We recommend choosing a full responsibility package to make sure you don't get too close to the dangers of gambling addiction. We have prepared a list of all preventive measures:
Set a money limit/betting budget. The second essential aspect for preventing addiction to casino games, besides the time limit, is the money limit. Be aware in advance of how much money you have available for entertainment without a loss harming you. It makes the most sense to set a monthly deposit limit. Deposit the money at the beginning of the month and stick to not making the next deposit until the next month, even if the entire gaming balance is used up after a week.
Play for pure fun. Gambling is, first and foremost, a form of entertainment. So it should be fun for you to play. There should be no other reasons. It is also worth playing free slot games to get a potential money loss right out of the way and spend some risk-free time in the casino.
Know how to accept money loss. It is part of the gambling experience to lose money. You should be aware of this. The bottom line is that you are paying to play a game and get entertainment.
Do not borrow money to gamble. You should only gamble with your money if your budget allows it. Strongly avoid borrowing money from others. You should also never overdraw your own account for your pleasure. You'll be in debt sooner than you think.
Don't let your gambling problem interfere with your family, friendships and work relationships. If problems arise in any respect (for example, you are increasingly late for work or frequently turn down invitations to social events from friends and family because of your gambling problem), it is time to seek counselling and stop gambling immediately.
There should be no compensation for losses. Accept the fact that sooner or later, you will lose your gambling bet. Do not make new deposits with the idea that you will be able to recoup your losses. The ability to actually win back a loss is a matter of luck. However, it is never guaranteed.
Casino games are not a source of income. It is especially important not to consider gambling as a possible additional source of income. Never play with the idea of making money. That's not what gambling is for.
The good news is that you are not necessarily alone. Safe and reputable online casinos are increasingly committed to protecting their customers from the risks of gambling addiction and not only provide advice on responsible gambling but also offer appropriate measures. However, even with the help of providers, you still need your own will. There are only a few online casinos that will deliberately meet you halfway and contact you if they notice a risk of gambling addiction due to increased activity. Usually, you have to take the initiative to take advantage of the help offered.
However, if you are aware of the dangers and want to do your best to prevent gambling addiction, the measures taken by the casino can be very helpful. Many settings can often be created through a registered player account. For example, you can set a time limit directly on the platform. This is very convenient because you are automatically logged out as soon as this time limit is reached. After that, access to the account is blocked until the game activity settings allow it again. The same principle applies to deposits. You can set a daily, weekly or even monthly deposit limit.
Apart from these assistance services, you will be referred to anonymous counselling centres in every online casino. You will find contact possibilities and can thoroughly inform yourself about further measures and take advantage of help at the organisations.
By the way, online casinos that have an Australian licence are subject to strict rules. The Australian regulatory norms take player protection very seriously, so in order to be able to obtain this licence, you need to take a number of measures. Let's take a closer look at what these measures are.
The new Australian State Gambling Compact stipulates that each player has a monthly deposit limit on all platforms. This ensures that, at some point, the player will be blocked. Players can be registered at different Australian casinos and still not be able to get around this limit. This is very positive for all those who have difficulty asserting themselves in terms of their budget.
In addition, licensed online casinos are not allowed to offer particularly risky games. According to the State Gambling Act, this includes live dealer casino games, as well as classic card games such as blackjack and poker. Thus, the offer essentially consists mainly of slots.
Besides, there is a betting limit per round. This means that there are no particularly big wins, but there are no big losses either. If a player attracts negative attention due to their gambling behaviour and is considered to be at risk of addiction, they can be added to the national database of banned players. Thus, access to all Australian gambling platforms will be closed.
Yes, gambling can be captivating and definitely has a high appeal. Nevertheless, one must be aware of the risks and understand that it is an entertainment industry that makes money through players but does not pay them for it. It is almost an unwritten law to visit a casino and participated in gambling at least once in your life. The whole atmosphere is just something special and delivers a high entertainment factor. Start your game from the beginning based on all the tips we have given you. Stick to them, and hardly anything can go wrong!