When gambling online, it’s very important for players to gamble responsibly.
Legit online gambling operators need to provide a list of tools and resources that will promote responsible gambling.
By using these tools and resources, players can feel safe knowing that they will never overspend and fall victim to gambling addiction.
In this article, we’ll discuss what it means to gamble responsibly at online casinos and betting sites.
The Rise of Online Gambling
Online gambling is a huge market. It’s estimated that there are about 176 million online gamblers that are actively playing. This number is expected to rise all the way up to 210 million by the year 2025. The same can be said about online sports betting – as currently there are 127.8 million players that use sports betting sites and apps.
There are several reasons why online casinos and betting sites are so appealing to players. They make it very convenient for players to access them from anywhere – provided they have access to the internet. Mobile gaming has also made things more convenient than ever before. So, it’s hardly a surprise that online gambling and sports betting are getting increasingly more popular among people of all walks of life.
Understanding Gambling Addiction
Unfortunately, there’s a small subset of online gamblers that invariably experience what’s known as gambling addiction.
When a player feels that they can’t control the urge to gamble, then they may very well be addicted to gambling.
There are several addiction symptoms that may show up:
- Feeling irritable or restless when thinking about cutting down on gambling
- Difficulties when trying to stop gambling, even when losing lots of money
- Using gambling as an escape route from real-life problems
- Chasing after lost money by making ever-increasing wagers
- Lying to family and close ones about gambling behavior and habits
There are also some psychological factors that may predispose certain people to gambling addiction. These include substance abuse, various personality disorders, anxiety or depression. If you feel that you experience any of the above-mentioned conditions and states, then it’s best to see a professional.
Responsible Gambling Practices
All players should be well-cognizant of the strategies for gambling responsibly. The most important tenet in this regard is the well-known mantra – when the fun stops – stop. If you find that you’re not having a good time when gambling and that you’re irritated and angry when losing, then it’s best to stop gambling and do something else.
To do this, you will need self-awareness - being in touch with your emotions and with the present moment. Setting limits is also a very important and effective tool for responsible online gambling.
Role of Online Gambling Sites
As mentioned before, online gambling sites have an important role of encouraging and enforcing responsible gambling habits. The casino sites that are reviewed at citeulike.org are known to feature several responsible gambling tools for players, such as:
- Self-exclusion
- Deposit limits
- Wager limits
- Time limits
- Reality checks
Players can implement these tools to gamble responsibly if they feel that they ever lose grip on their gambling behaviors. Just contact customer service at the casino and ask them to implement one or more of these tools and measures – and you’re good to go.
In this context, CEO of Citeulike highlights the significance of such measures:
"In the dynamic world of online gambling, it's crucial for platforms like ours to not only provide entertainment but also to actively promote and facilitate responsible gambling. At Citeulike, we're committed to offering a range of tools that empower players to stay in control of their gambling, ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone." - Phillip Grunwald, CEO of Citeulike.
This statement reinforces the commitment of online gambling sites to
responsible gambling practices, emphasizing their role in providing a
safe and controlled environment for their users.
Legal and Regulatory Framework
There are differences in how different states and countries around the world regulate online gambling. Gambling regulations are known to vary – many countries have legalized online gambling, but in some countries, it’s still illegal to gamble online. That being said, even in countries where online gambling is legal, there are some important regulations and restrictions.
This is where licensing authorities come into play. These licensing authorities are tasked with issuing licenses to legit gambling operators.
To get a license, an operator needs to meet several criteria as prescribed by the licensing authorities and the gambling laws. Some of the world’s most renowned iGaming regulators and licensing authorities are:
- The United Kingdom Gambling Commission
- The Malta Gaming Authority
- The Curacao Gaming Control Board
Tools and Resources for Help
Of course, there’s gambling addiction help for anyone that feels addicted to gambling in any way, shape, or form. Apart from the responsible gambling tools of setting deposit and wager limits, there are also support groups and organizations that players can get in touch with. Some of the best-known responsible gambling support groups are:
- Responsible Gambling Council
- National Council on Problem Gambling
- GambleAware
- GamCare
These organizations can give players invaluable addiction resources that will help stave off gambling addiction.
Case Studies and Success Stories
As devastating as gambling addiction can be – there are still many success stories of players that have managed to conquer it. There are thousands of testimonies and real-life examples of players that have beat gambling addiction:
- Mario: “I’m a lot happier. It was the best thing I ever did.” Mario made this statement after 8 years of not engaging in sports betting.
- Linda: “It was hard for me to tell him, but when I did, he was so supportive that it made it easy for me.” Linda has made this statement after sharing her gambling addiction problem with her son, prior to asking for Gambler’s Help.
- Bayu: “I opened up to a friend about my gambling. The compassion and receptiveness she showed me ignited me to change.” This statement was made by Bayu, on the road to recovery from gambling addiction.
These success stories show nothing more and nothing less than the fact that overcoming addiction is quite possible with the right guidance and support.
Conclusion
Gambling online is a highly volatile hobby with invariable swings of fortune and ups and downs. This can make it quite addictive for some people. This is why it’s important for all online gamblers to implement responsible gambling habits. If you find that you still continue to gamble even against your better judgment – then the best thing to do is to seek help from responsible gambling professionals and organizations. Maintaining a healthy relationship with gambling is a must in order for players to get the most of the gambling experience that they have.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Fred Felton
Content Creator / Editor
Fred Felton is a copywriter, editor and social media specialist based in Durban, South Africa. He has over 20 years of experience in creating high end content. He has worked with some of the biggest brands in the world. Currently Fred specialises in the wooden arts and crafts space, focussing on innovative wooden product design. He is also a keynote speaker and has presented talks and workshops in South Africa.
