Responsible gambling at online casinos: How to stay safe when betting online
By Simon Head
Online casinos are slick, well designed and easy to play at. They can also be incredibly addictive and dangerous to a player who does not know the risks involved; and how to protect themselves against them.
If you are new to casino betting, or new to the notion of responsible gambling, fear not. We’re here to arm you with all of the information you need to stay safe when betting with online casinos.
How to gamble responsibly
Responsible gambling, or responsible gaming, is the term widely used to refer to the best practices all online gamblers should stick to, in order to prevent their gambling becoming a problem over time.
There are a host of strategies and a plethora of resources available to help you make informed, smart decisions about your gambling and to make sure you have fun, without it becoming a problem.
Understanding the risks involved, managing your spending and playing time and appreciating the fact that casino betting is not a level playing field, will all help you to get the most out of your casino betting.
Understanding casino games
Whether you’re playing at an online casino, or at a casino in-person, it’s important to understand the basic truths of casino betting.
The house ALWAYS has the edge
Casino games are designed specifically to ensure that, over a given period of time, that the house always comes out on top. Margins are built into the games to make sure that games are always profitable in the long run. If they weren’t, those games wouldn’t exist in casinos any more.
While some games, like blackjack, offer the chance to play an optimum strategy based on known statistics, they still don’t guarantee victory over any period of time – they merely give you the best chance of success.
Luck is more important than skill
With the above in mind, it’s also important to remember that casino games are not games of skill. Whether you’re playing slots, rolling dice, guessing where a roulette ball will land, or which cards will be dealt your way, Lady Luck is the main factor in your chances of success. If the cards are in your favour, or if you’re lucky enough to have the right number to come up on the roulette wheel, you can be a winner, but remember that if you’re winning, you’re lucky.
Winning streaks never last
If you’re fortunate enough to find yourself on a winning run, it’s always important to bear in mind that winning streaks are, as we mentioned above, driven largely by luck. The key to being successful is being able to walk away from the table (virtual or real) when the time is right. Sure, there might be another winning spin, or a winning hand, coming up next. But it could just so easily be a loser. All successful and happy, gamblers are the ones who know when to stop.
Problem signs to watch for
Problem gambling can be a slow-onset issue, but if you spot the signs early, you can stop your gambling becoming an issue moving forward.
These issues include being untruthful to friends and family about your gambling activity, spending more time or money on gambling than you had originally intended and choosing to spend time away from work, family and friends in order to gamble instead.
If gambling starts to become a primary interest, you find almost any opportunity to gamble, or if you become overly tense when playing casino games, these can all be signs that you are developing a gambling problem.
Other signs include not being able to stop playing, chasing losses and becoming more risky in your decision-making.
How to get help
The first step toward getting help is accepting that you have a problem or a concern about your gambling. In the first instance, the best advice is to tell the people nearest to you, to ensure you do not have to address things alone.
With a trusted friend or family member there to be accountable to, you are then in the best position to approach one of the many organisations out there who can provide the help you need, to address any issues or concerns you have with your gambling.
Resources available if you have a problem
If you think you either have a gambling problem, or are worried you may be developing one, there are organisations and resources out there to help.
GamCare
Per their official website, GamCare is “the leading provider of information, advice and support for anyone affected by gambling harms.”
They offer face-to-face therapeutic support for people struggling with gambling issues, as well as family and friends who are also impacted by those issues. This support is available in person, online and over the phone, with their support targeted across five UK regions: South East, East Midlands, London, Scotland and Yorkshire Humber.
GamCare also offers eight-week courses of online treatment via their therapists, and also offer group-based Gambling Recovery Courses, which run between six and eight weeks, and are offered both in person or online.
Additionally, GamCare operates the National Gambling Helpline, which offers a free-to-access, 24/7 outlet for people to get in touch to get initial advice and support.
To find out more, go to the GamCare website.
GambleAware
As described on their official website, GambleAware is “the leading independent charity and strategic commissioner of gambling harm education, prevention, early intervention, and treatment across Great Britain.”
Their website offers a wide range of information and support for people who are experiencing, or are affected by, problem gambling, with comprehensive advice available across a range of topics, whether you are the person who gambles, or looking to help someone else who gambles.
GambleAware also offers access to the National Gambling Support Network, a free and confidential 24/7 service available on the phone or live chat.
Find out more about the services GambleAware offers via their website.
National Gambling Clinic
Offered by the NHS, The National Gambling Clinic (NGC) is described as “a free, confidential NHS service supporting people who are experiencing harm from gambling aged 13 to 18 years from anywhere in England and 18 or over in London and the South East.
The NGC’s team assesses and offers support and advice for people who suffer from gambling issues, as well as family members and significant others who are also affected.
While the NGC does not offer intervention services, they do work with mental health organisations to help provide care for people suffering with problem gambling.
Learn more about the National Gambling Clinic.
Samaritans
A long-established and respected volunteer-run service, Samaritans offers a free 24/7 phone service, where counsellors are on hand to listen to people’s problems and concerns, in order to help them talk through issues, provide perspective and be a sounding board for people who perhaps do not have someone close to them – or feel unable to speak to the people close to them – to chat about their worries.
Find out more about Samaritans.
Gambling myths and why you should ignore them
Problem gamblers bet every day
This isn’t necessarily the case. While some problem gamblers undoubtedly try to bet as often as possible, occasional players can also be problem gamblers too. An occasional player who doesn’t know when to stop is a problem gambler. A player who plays once a month, but stays online for 24 hours straight is a problem gambler. A player who plays for short spells, but bets way beyond their means, is a problem gambler. There are many ways for gambling to become a problem.
Gambling becomes a problem when you run out of money
A smart, well-disciplined gambler will never let it get to the point where they have run out of money. Why? Because they’ll have recognised the need to stop long before they reached that point. Gambling becomes a problem the moment your decision-making becomes irrational, erratic, or unusual for your personality; not when you run out of money.
If you keep playing, you’ll win eventually
Sure, if you keep playing, you may win one spin, or one hand. But for as long as you chase that elusive win, you could be losing time after time and that one winning spin or hand will mean very little compared to the amount you lost in pursuit of that victory. We’ve mentioned it above, but chasing losses is a sure-fire route to a major gambling problem. If things aren’t going your way at the table, walk away. There’s always another day.
“I am due a win”
Most casino games are designed to be random, with an in-built edge in the house’s favour. That means each time you put down your money to bet, you’re betting on a single outcome. What came before means nothing, especially when you’re playing slots or roulette, which have no “form” whatsoever. Card counters may feel they can find a marginal edge when playing blackjack, but with regular shuffles and multi-deck shoes, it’s almost impossible for one person to stay on top of what’s left in the deck.
All of the above means that being “due a win” is merely a state of mind. Don’t let that thought power your decision-making process.
“Lucky numbers” and “lucky days”
Similar to the above, the notion of having lucky numbers or having a lucky day are self-made ideas that have zero impact on slots games, roulette wheels and blackjack tables.
Strategies for avoiding problems
Use responsible gambling tools
Online casinos offer plenty of different responsible gambling tools to help you regulate your online gaming and ensure that your gambling doesn’t become a problem. These include time limits (per session or per day), deposit or spend limits, self-exclusion, cooling-off periods and temporary account suspension. Go into your online casino account to check what options are available to you and set the limits you feel are appropriate to your needs.
Manage your finances: Only bet what you can afford to lose
This is the single most important strategy to avoid problems when betting in any form. Set yourself firm limits on how much money you are comfortable losing and, when you hit that amount, stop. Never chase your losses.
Stay disciplined
Casino wagers are financial decisions and they should never be taken lightly. Stay disciplined with regards to your spend/betting limits and consider setting time/play limits too. Also, be sure to take regular breaks to ensure you don’t get too immersed in casino gameplay and lose track of time.
Stay clear-minded and manage your emotions
Make sure you’re at your decision-making best whenever you’re risking your money. That means you should always be wary of betting while under the influence of alcohol, medication, or recreational drugs. Also, it’s a good idea to never bet when you are tired or emotional, when your decision-making can be affected by weariness and a lack of patience. Stay awake, stay sober and stay on top of your game.
Know when to walk away
This may sound obvious, but when you don’t play, you don’t lose. So, if you’ve had a good time, win or lose and you’ve reached your time or spend limit, be disciplined enough to stop – even if you’re in the middle of a winning streak. The moment you walk away, your chances of losing decrease to zero percent. If you’re down, it won’t get any worse. If you’re up, all of those winnings are yours!
Know when to stop completely
If your gambling is starting to get on top of you, the best and safest strategy is to simply stop, fully stop. Online casinos offer self-exclusion options which block you from accessing their casino games for a specific period of time, but if you are concerned that you may simply switch providers, the organisation GamStop offers a free service that allows people to self-exclude from all UKGC-licensed gambling websites.
For more information about GamStop click here.
Gambling laws and regulations
All gambling operations in the United Kingdom are regulated by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC), which is responsible for regulating all online gambling sites – sports betting, casinos and poker – in the UK. Betting sites and casinos that accept UK players are required by law to be registered with the UKGC and players should avoid any casinos that are not registered with them.
For more information about the UK Gambling Commission, head to their website.
FAQs
How old do I have to be to bet in an online casino in the UK?
To bet legally in an online casino in the UK, you must be 18 years of age, or older. When you set up an account with your chosen online casino, you will be asked for proof of ID to ensure you are of legal age to play.
Is it safe to play at an online casino?
If you select a casino with a good reputation, that is regulated by the UK Gambling Commission and has strong security measures as well as a host of responsible gambling tools for players, playing at an online casino can be a safe, fun and enjoyable experience.
How do I know an online casino is safe?
Casinos usually list their licences at the foot of their websites, so scroll to the bottom of the website’s homepage to check to see if they have a licence. It’s also a good idea to check their security certificates, with 128-bit encryption the universally-accepted standard for top online casinos.