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Responsible Gaming

Online gaming, or online gambling, comes with several opportunities to have fun and earn huge wins, but some players find themselves losing control. This can be a serious problem for both casinos and users. Responsible gaming refers to a collection of tools designed to protect players from harmful gambling practices. They help to identify and manage gambling-related risks while encouraging safe gambling habits.

Why is Responsible Gaming Important?

Responsible gaming tools are often most useful to players with possible gambling issues. However, players with healthy betting habits can also maximize responsible gambling initiatives. Deposit limits, time limits, and self-exclusion offer a proactive approach that helps every user manage their bankroll while keeping the game entertaining.

How to Recognize Gambling Danger Signs

Playing online comes with an undeniable thrill which can sometimes become detrimental. Here are a few ways to recognize the signs of problem gambling:

  • Gambling to escape real-life issues
  • Breaking promises to loved ones to spend more time gambling
  • Selling personal items to finance gambling habits
  • Hiding gambling losses
  • Spending a significant part of your day gambling
  • Being distracted by the thoughts of gambling when engaging in other activities
  • Loss chasing
  • Emotional instability due to gambling
  • Missing out on important moments with loved ones due to gambling
  • Feeling intense guilt and remorse after gambling

Responsible gambling policies are aimed at preventing the aforementioned problems and, when already present, promptly spotting and solving them.

Responsible Gaming Tools Available at Canadian Casinos

The Responsible Gambling section is one of the key aspects of most online casinos, as a few users develop harmful gambling habits. Fortunately, certain tools are provided by licensed casino operators to promote safer gambling.

Assessment tests

Users are encouraged to self-evaluate by completing a set of questions. The responses are analyzed and compared with responsible gambling criteria. Based on the outcome, players who are discovered to have a problem with their gambling habits are directed to the committed responsible gambling team.

Deposit limits

This feature restricts the amount of funds that can be deposited into a casino account over time. It can be customized as a daily, weekly or monthly limit, and can also be increased or reduced. Like deposit limits, there are other options such as loss limits, time limits and wager limits that restrict user access based on total losses, time spent gambling and amount wagered, respectively.

Self-exclusion

This function helps users take a voluntary short or long-term break from gambling. It can block users from gambling activities for a period of six months to five years, or even permanently. Excluded players cannot access casino sites or receive emails or personalized ads while their self-exclusion is active.

Time-Out

This functions similarly to self-exclusion. However, time-outs allow you to take shorter breaks from playing. Users can temporarily disable their account for 24 hours up to 30 days.

How to Use Responsible Gaming Tools Effectively

Players can implement any of these tools from their casino profile, effortlessly. At the bottom of the casino homepage, you’ll find links to the Responsible Gaming section and similar resource pages. Otherwise, you can also navigate to the Settings section to find useful tools. Here you’ll also find informative links to organizations that advocate responsible gambling. If you’re still unable to find useful information on the casino site, get in touch with the customer support agents who are always available to help.

Here are some responsible gaming resources for Canadians:

How Do Casinos Promote Responsible Gaming?

Casino operators encourage responsible gaming by implementing measures aimed at reducing the harmful effects of gambling. Here are some of the ways they do this:

  • Introducing Helpful Tools: To help users uphold responsible gaming habits, the best casinos have a rich collection of features and resources such as deposit limits, loss limits and self-exclusion.
  • Responsible Advertising: Vulnerable groups, like underage players, are highly at risk for developing gambling problems. This is why the best casinos ensure that ads are targeted towards a mature audience.
  • Providing Professional Help: The best casinos have customer support agents who are trained to identify the signs of harmful gaming and provide confidential help. Some of these operators have also partnered with reputable gambling assistance groups like the Canadian Responsible Gaming Council.

Tips for Responsible Gaming

If you’re committed to maintaining a healthy attitude toward gambling online, here are a few helpful tips:

  • Choose to play at casinos with responsible gambling tools. Any casino that doesn’t prioritize providing responsible gambling tools might not be worth giving your business to. The promotion of responsible gambling tools is a good sign of a safe and fair casino.
  • Prioritize having fun when gambling as opposed to landing huge wins. It’s easy to get sucked into the vicious cycle of chasing losses. Focus on your own enjoyment of the games, not the winning feeling.
  • Gamble with funds you can afford to lose. Even before you start playing, consider the money you invest as spent already.
  • Take breaks when gambling. Playing for an extended period can make it difficult to monitor the money and time spent. Taking time off your screen can help clear your head.
  • Keep in mind that no strategy guarantees winning. Understand that casino games are a game of chance and the odds always favor the house in the long term.
  • Focus on achieving balance. Give substantial time to work and personal activities. If you’re committed to nurturing other areas of your life, you are less likely to develop untoward gambling habits.
  • Seek help promptly. If you have tried the listed tips and you still feel out of control, consider seeking expert help. See the responsible gaming resources listed above.