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Detailed Guide to Responsible Gaming

In a brand new guide, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about how to play online casinos responsibly and without ruinous consequences. You’ll learn how to choose the right casino among the many sites on the web, as well as get clear examples and tips on how to get the most out of your time on gambling sites.

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Chapter 1: How to become a professional at choosing an online casino

In this chapter we will take a closer look at online casinos and what factors to consider when playing online. You will learn about how slot machines and casinos work online.

Fair play

As a player, you should be 100% sure that when you play video slots and other casino games online, you are protected. In order to find out if a casino is being fair to its users, you should pay attention to a few specific points. In addition, you need to know exactly how the games function. Always keep in mind that online casinos and their games are created by different companies. It is always worth familiarizing yourself with the rules of each individual game. When it comes to casinos, you should pay attention to their Terms and Conditions.

What is a Random Number Generator (RNG)?

Do you know what is “inside” an online slot machine? Do you know their “mechanics” and how the slot determines whether your spin will win or not? Slot machines are based on what is known as a Random Number Generator. Roughly speaking, this generator is the brain of the slot. It generates numbers relating to the symbols on the reels. In one millisecond, the Generator selects a value between 0 and 4 million. This algorithm is tested regularly to make sure that it functions properly and gives players fair results.

Online casino tricks

Online casinos use a number of strategies to keep their players coming back. It is natural that players want to play as long as possible, especially from a financial perspective. Some tricks are more obvious than others, but most of the time, it is difficult to guess what the casino’s marketing strategy will be. In this section, we will discuss some of the various ways in which casinos keep their players hooked on their gambling sites.

Many casinos list recent winners on their home page in order to give players the confidence that they could be next. This marketing tactic usually encourages players to try their luck again and again.

“Just a little longer and you’ll win!” The next aspect, while not entirely a trick of the casino, frequently encourages players to keep playing. Let’s assume that in order to achieve a large gain on the slot, you need to knock four identical symbols from the reels. So the first three reels are in place, and the last reel rotates. The tension rises, but the coveted symbol does not fall out, and the payout line does not add up. This is what this “move” is all about: waiting for the appropriate moment adds to the player’s thrill and excitement. The player may be more inclined to attempt to play and win with the next reel spin in this situation.

Please keep in mind that just because the slot machine reels have shown a small win, it doesn’t mean you’re about to hit the jackpot. Some machines are only designed for players to receive smaller payouts.

How to avoid unfair rules and conditions and wagering requirements

In most cases, the casino’s regulations are fair and honest, but you shouldn’t let your guard down. Before creating an account at csiss.org, we always recommend that our readers go through the Terms and Conditions carefully.

Considering the bonus rules before reading the other requirements is advantageous. After all, if you don’t agree with the bonus terms, there is no need to read any further.

In addition, while skimming through the rules, take note of whether or not the casino has a license from gambling regulatory bodies; this affirms that playing in said casino is legal.

Wagering requirements are the number of times you must wager the bonus (sometimes bonus and deposit) you receive in games before you may withdraw funds.

Furthermore, you should take the expiration date into account. Most bonuses, especially welcome bonuses for new players, expire in 30 days. That means that you have to wager the bonus during that time; otherwise, your winnings may be forfeited.

To minimize the occurrence of fraud and other issues, it is critical that the casino takes precautions to safeguard players’ personal information and that it uses SSL encryption technology to prevent data loss. Check that the site’s URL begins with “https” in the address bar to ensure that the casino will not sell your data to third parties.

Chapter 2: Tips for establishing a healthy relationship with the casino

This chapter discusses how to safeguard yourself from potential hazards when playing at internet casinos. There are a number of measures that gamers should take to secure themselves against circumstances in which they may be exposed while gambling at an online casino.

Control your playing time

It’s crucial to keep an accurate measure of time while gambling. Without time tracking, you could easily lose track of how long you’ve been playing and end up wasting all day at the casino. setting a limit will prevent this from happening

Take regular breaks

It is important to take regular breaks in the game to catch your breath and start a new session with renewed vigor. Even something as simple and quick as pouring yourself a cup of tea or coffee will have a good effect – you’ll distract yourself and give your eyes a break from the artificial light of the monitor screen.

Reduce the speed of the game

Slots, for example, might be sped up to reduce how quickly you play them. This will not only help you stay within your budget, but it will also slow down the game, giving you greater control over your decisions. It’s considerably more advantageous to begin playing slowly right away than to gradually speed up after a while because a quick change in pace may not be appreciated by all gamers.

Determine if casino gaming is your harmless hobby or a developing problem by answering the following questions:

Answer the following questions as honestly as possible to get an accurate idea of what type of player you are.

Always play only in a sober state of mind

While playing at an online casino, it’s important to maintain a level head. Because playing at an online casino might cost real money, it’s wise to keep your thoughts clear at all times while you’re gaming. Players are more likely to make impulsive decisions when playing while intoxicated because they ignore set game parameters and lack of time control.

Never play casino games to get away from your problems

We said it before and we’ll say it again: casino games are only meant to be entertaining, so playing them excessively in order to escape reality is a bad idea. If you’re looking for a way to distract yourself from your problems, try something more productive instead, like going for a walk or taking a trip.

Never try to get even

As we previously said, attempting to recoup money you lost by betting more and more frequently is likely to leave you in a bad mood, which can have an impact on other aspects of your life. Create a budget that allows you to spend money on casino games and follow it religiously to avoid unintended gambling behavior. By employing such “tactics,” you will not only be putting yourself at risk, but you will also be spending money on the game in excess of your allotted budget, resulting in a snowball effect of unpleasant sentiments and emotions.

Never play in a casino in a bad financial situation

In every way possible, you should avoid playing online casinos to get out of financial problems. Remember that if you lose money at a casino, it will only make your situation more difficult. Casino gambling is likely only meant for entertainment – any other reason may cause you to regret playing and leave you in an even worse state financially.

Chapter 3: Statistics of Gambling and Gambling Addiction Problems

Gambling can be addictive, and tens of thousands of people around the world fall victim to some degree of gambling addiction each year. We have compiled some statistical facts about gambling addiction and gambling addiction to clearly show you the seriousness of the problems that can arise when gambling is neglected and the necessary level of control is ignored:

Self-diagnosis for gambling related problems

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders specifies that if at least four of the following nine criteria are present within the past 12 months, the person has a gambling problem:

Dangers associated with online gambling

The move of gambling to an online environment has taken gambling behavior to a new level. Now it is much easier to develop a gambling addiction, if only because casino games have become more accessible; you can even play them on your mobile anytime, anywhere.

Lack of necessity to go to the gambling establishment and interact with other persons, as it was and is in land-based casinos, makes the procedure of identification of players with potential problems of dependence more complicated. 97% of online casino players play from home and it is almost impossible to establish which player is playing without special procedures.

Gambling in the online environment reveals another problem – the identification of the age of the player. It is forbidden by law for people under 18 to play at online casinos, but it is almost impossible to establish whether a child or teenager is not using a friend or parent’s bank card on the site.

The extreme accessibility of casino games puts everyone at risk, not only because it allows you to play with a certain anonymity, but also because you can play at any time of the day or night. Casino games can now also be played at work, when there is nothing to do, and even when you are not in the best emotional state, which exposes players to more risk than is possible in real gambling establishments.

Chapter 4: Setting Restrictions and Disconnecting from the Game

In this section, you will learn what actions you can take if you see signs of an emerging gambling problem. It is useful to know what measures you can take on your own if you notice that you are losing control over your gambling. First of all, we will take a closer look at the institutions and organizations that monitor and regulate the gambling and casino market.

Casino and gambling control organizations. Who are they and how can they help?

Gambling regulatory bodies such as the UK Gambling Commission and the Malta Gambling Authority are statutory agencies created by their governments and operate under their national and other laws. Their job is to regulate gambling and the operation of online casinos and to ensure fair practices within the gambling industry.

It is these organizations that guarantee the level of quality, safety and reliability of online casinos, allowing them to operate officially and legally on the Internet. They also ensure the protection of players and their data by providing them with a safe and fair gaming environment within online casinos.

How to block casinos and betting sites

If you want to disconnect yourself from online gambling, you will need to ensure that you cannot log into your casino account. Self-exclusion from the casino will not allow you to play on the casino site ever again.

Such a decision may seem drastic, but in some cases such a measure is simply necessary. If you think that a complete irrevocable expulsion from the casino is not necessary, you can take other measures. For example, you can block the casino site in the browser you use.

Blocking the site as a precautionary measure is the right thing to do if you find it difficult to stop accessing the site. Introducing such self-restrictions on access will make it easier to control gaming behavior.

The “cooling off” period

Many online casinos provide a “cooling off” period feature to give players a chance to take a break and recover. A “cooling off period” is a restriction on the ability to play in the casino for a short period of time. Its activation will block the possibility of placing any bets at the casino for 24 hours.

Setting restrictions in the casino account

Many online casinos provide account settings that help players approach the game responsibly. Let’s take a look at what restrictions you can set when playing at an online casino:

Self-exclusion, that is a ban on playing on a casino site, can be set for a certain amount of time: a week, a month, a year or even more. Also, a player who suffers from serious gambling addiction problems can permanently exclude himself from participating in games on this or that site. To do this, just contact the support service of the casino or press the appropriate button in your personal cabinet.

Chapter 5: How to Avoid Gambling Addiction Problems

Knowing how gambling problems affect a person can help you know if your gambling behavior has symptoms of addiction. If you already suspect that you have a gambling addiction problem, it is important that you are completely honest with yourself when reading the information provided in this section.

If you suspect a friend or family member has a problem with cheating, you can learn more about how to identify the problem and what to do about it here.

How to recognize a gambling problem

There are many signs of gambling addiction, so you should be very careful when reading this information. For prevention, it is worth referring to the list of symptoms from time to time and checking if your attitude to gambling has changed in some way.

Pay special attention to the following aspects:

Psychological symptoms of gambling addiction

There are a number of mental health symptoms that are worth checking for if you are in doubt about whether you have a gambling problem.

Pay attention to the following signs:

Physical symptoms of gambling addiction

Psychological symptoms of addiction are usually combined with physical symptoms. Check to see if you have any of the following signs:

All of these physical symptoms show that your body is suffering from serious stress or strain. Listen to your body if you feel any of these symptoms. This is important whether or not you are suffering from a gambling addiction. If your body is sending any of these signals, it is trying to tell you that it needs help.

Behavioral changes and behavioral symptoms of gambling addiction

This is the last type of symptom that can uncover the presence of gambling addiction problems. Watch for and note the following possible changes in behavior:

All of these symptoms can affect you and your environment in a negative way. The people closest to you – family and friends – may be affected the most.

How to determine if a relative has a gambling addiction

As we noted in the previous section, the most noticeable signs of addiction and gambling addiction are sudden changes in behavior. You should not ignore such symptoms, especially if you are talking about a family member or close friend. Noticing unusual behavior in loved ones is much easier because you know them better.

In order to draw conclusions about someone’s gambling addiction problems, you need a starting point. Such points will help you analyze the signs and symptoms and not jump to conclusions.

How to recognize the signs of gambling problems

Gambling addiction can have devastating consequences for all parties involved. Although it may seem complicated, it is important to talk about the topic and talk about the issues at hand. Like other addictions and social problems it can seem difficult because the topic of addiction is often taboo.

If you have a problem, it is important to find someone you can trust to talk to. Talking about the problem and trusting the person you are opening up to is the most important step in your healing journey. This will give you a sense of security and that you and your problem are taken seriously and therefore you can get rid of it.

If you have a friend or family member with a gambling addiction, the situation can be quite complicated. Below we describe two scenarios that are most likely to play out and options for how to proceed.

A friend or family member tells you they have a gambling addiction problem.

The first thing you need to realize is that it took a lot of courage and strength for your loved one to tell you about their problem. In addition, it shows the highest degree of trust that this person has in you. You have been chosen as someone who can help and on whom they can rely.

The most important thing at this point is to listen carefully, so that your friend understands that he/she is heard by you and feels confident to take the next steps toward getting rid of the problem. If necessary, you can suggest that he/she do these steps together, for example by visiting a specialist with him/her.

You have a strong suspicion that your friend or relative suffers from gambling addiction.

In this case, you need to be even more careful, because you don’t want to upset a friend or family member. If you are dealing with someone who denies there is a problem, it can be extremely difficult to open their eyes to the reality of the situation.

Usually, by denying that there is a problem, people are already in a difficult stressful situation and may even be in debt. Denial helps them avoid the frightening reality of the problem. If you decide to open the person’s eyes to the truth and urge him or her to take action, you must do so in a calm and gentle manner. Since the person is already anxious, an aggressive or moralistic tone can make the situation worse. Be benevolent and be clear about your desire to help. Your friend or relative needs love and care at this time, but not aggression. This approach will increase the chances that the person will agree to get help.

Risk factors

Scientific American articles confirm that none of the personality types can cause the development of gambling addiction, the cause can be a combination of certain personality traits.

Characteristics of people at high risk of gambling addiction

In this section, we will tell you what personality traits can lead to an increased risk of gambling addiction. The following are conditioning factors that, if left unchecked, can lead to addiction.

Kinship with people suffering from addictions

Multiple studies have proven that genetic characteristics play a significant role in the development of addiction. Having a family member suffering from addiction increases the likelihood that their blood relatives will develop addiction, but this genetic profile alone does not necessarily mean that addiction will occur.

Mental health disorders

Some people start playing casino games to escape from reality and find solace in gambling, especially if they are able to do so without leaving their own home. People prone to anxiety should avoid playing casino games, as gambling can become a coping mechanism for dealing with their condition when the only purpose of gambling is entertainment.

Inability to control your behavior

People who cannot control their behavior, thoughts and emotions are at an increased risk of developing gambling addiction. Research shows that the inability to control actions, combined with the anticipation of the reward, is associated with the development of addiction. This means that when a player cannot control their emotions when they lose, the likelihood that they will try to win back will increase, and thus the likelihood of developing an addiction will also increase.

Risk factors that may contribute to gambling addiction

The following factors should be taken into account to avoid problems with gambling. If you or your loved ones show these signs, it is worth refusing to play in a casino:

The more of the above factors apply to a person, the more likely they are to develop a gambling addiction. If you consider all of the factors we’ve told you about in this article and implement proper controls to check your gambling activity, you greatly reduce the likelihood of having an addiction problem

Chapter 6: Help with Addiction

The most important thing in dealing with a gambling addiction is to be honest with yourself and know exactly how you feel. As we explained earlier, gambling affects a player’s general mood, ability to distract and think about something other than gambling, relationships, financial situation and work, etc. Acknowledging the problem is the first step to solving it, so it’s important to know that there are organizations that can help you with addiction issues. Seeking help in such situations is natural and the only right thing to do, so you should not feel any negative emotions, doubts, shyness or the like about it.

Who can I turn to?

If you have admitted to yourself that you have problems with addiction, or you need expert advice on the problem for your friends and family members, to begin with just go to Google or any other search engine, and look for psychological centers and practicing psychologists in your city. It is convenient that you can contact any of these organizations anonymously.

If, for example, you contact a psychological help center that does not work with this kind of addiction, the specialists at the center will tell you which facility to go to. You can also contact one of the following agencies.

AgencyWebsite
Centre for Addiction and Mental Healthhttps://www.camh.ca/
Gamblers Anonymoushttp://www.gamblersanonymous.org/
Canada Safety Councilhttps://canadasafetycouncil.org/
American Addictions Centershttps://americanaddictioncenters.org/

The csiss.org team supports and strives to promote only a healthy relationship with gaming and gambling among its readers. You are always welcome to contact us with questions about responsible gambling and the problems of gambling and gambling addiction.

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