For most people, gambling is a harmless pastime and a source of entertainment. However, if approached irresponsibly, gambling can turn into a compulsive behaviour with dire consequences. Therefore, you must always play responsibly.
This article looks at what measures you can take to ensure that you are playing responsibly at online casinos. We discuss the various Responsible Gambling tools available, how to detect a potential gambling problem and provide contact information to reputable help organisations in different countries.
Responsible Gambling is a set of social initiatives set by the gambling industry and implemented by governments and regulatory bodies worldwide. These initiatives were created to ensure fairness and create social awareness of the possible harms of gambling.
These social initiatives are implemented through codes of practice, which may vary slightly depending on country and jurisdiction. They are also implemented differently in land-based and online casinos.
Here are some examples of how Responsible Gambling protocols are implemented in different parts of the world:
Online casinos cannot monitor players and detect behaviours that may indicate a gambling problem. Therefore, they are required to use responsible gambling tools instead.
These tools may be differently enforced depending on which jurisdiction the casino is licensed in, but they generally comprise self-exclusion, self-assessments and various gambling limits.
By setting a gambling limit, a player can effectively monitor and control his/her gambling habits.
These are the most common responsible gambling tools offered by online casinos:
All gambling limits are time-based and can be set daily, weekly or monthly. When a period is over, the limit is reset. You can lower a limit at any time. However, when you increase a limit, the change is not implemented until the current period is over.
In conjunction with their gambling limits, many casinos offer self-assessments that allow players to quickly gauge whether they are suffering from or potentially developing a gambling problem.
These assessments are typically a series of yes-or-no questions that give the player a final score. Based on the score, the casino can determine whether the players is at risk of developing a gambling problem.
Here are some common questions that can instantly indicate if there is a developing gambling problem:
Did you answer yes to any of the questions? If you did, we strongly suggest that you make use of your casino's gambling limits or reach out to any of the help organisations that we have listed below.
Players who feel that they have lost control over their gambling can request a self-exclusion at any time. They can do so by setting a self-exclusion in their account or reaching out to the casino's customer support. Self-exclusions are usually set on a weekly, monthly or permanent basis.
If a player requests a permanent self-exclusion, he/she will not be able to play with the casino ever again. In some heavily regulated countries, such as Sweden and the UK, the local governments have created a database that licensed casinos are legally obliged to connect to. Through this database, a player can self-exclude from all casinos licensed in the country in one single request.
When a player requests a permanent self-exclusion, it is customary for the casino to direct the player to an organisation that can offer her/him professional help.
When a player has lost control over your gambling, the most responsible thing to do is seek professional help. Here is a list of organisations available in the UK.
GambleAware is an independent charity commissioning prevention and treatment services working across England, Scotland and Wales. The organisation has partnerships several with expert organisations and agencies, including the NHS. On the BeGambleAware website, you can find information and advice on various aspects of responsible gambling. You can also contact the organisation via live chat or on freephone any hour of the day.
GamCare is a leading provider of information, advice and support for people affected by gambling harms. The organisation operates the National Gambling Helpline and offers treatment for anyone who is harmed by gambling. GamCare also works to create awareness about safe gambling practices and treatment and to encourage safer gambling practices within the gambling industry. The organisation's website offers several self-help tools, along with helpful information about safe gambling and contact details to professional counsellors.
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