Gambling for real money at online casinos can be very fun and convenient. There are many casinos to choose from, it’s easy to set up an account and you can play at any time from the convenience of your home or your mobile device. Add the plethora of bonus promotions and massive offers of casino games on top, and you can see why so many people today decide to gamble online. You can easily play progressive jackpots or online roulette for real money.
But playing at online casinos comes with its own risks. If you come across a rogue brand, they can abuse your details or even take money from your accounts without authorization. So, you need to keep your accounts safe and play only at reputable online casinos.
The other biggest risk when playing at online casinos is developing a gambling addiction. The road to addiction is shorter than you might think and no one is immune from it. Every player started playing small at the casinos, but very fast you can find yourself wagering massive amounts and spiralling out of control. Let’s dive deeper into these two responsible gambling categories and explain them in detail.
Account Security and reputable casinos
The first step to protecting your account is to use a strong password. You can easily find free sites for generating random passwords, which are very long and complex. This will make your account hard to crack and secure.
Another security factor to consider is two-factor authentication. When activated you will receive a code on your email or SMS on your phone with a code. This makes it impossible for anyone to take funds from your account without your approval and without access to your phone or email address.
But the most important detail according to Roulette77 is to play only at reputable brands. Every legal online casino has to meet a number of standards, which are easily recognizable for experienced players. They are:
- Valid operating license
- Seal of approval by independent testing agencies
- Good reputation across gambling forums
- Positive reviews from real players
- Fast payouts
- 24/7 customer support
If a casino meets all of the above criteria, they are considered to be a safe casino and you can freely play here for real money.
Gambling addiction
Every gambler comes to a point where he realizes he’s addicted to gambling. If anyone who plays at the casinos on a regular basis says otherwise, they are lying to themselves. The first step to overcoming addiction and creating a safe gambling environment is admitting to yourself that you have a problem. There are several signs of problematic gambling. If you experience any of the below the chances are you are addicted and need help.
- You gamble frequently
- You think and talk about gambling all the time
- You can’t wait to get your paycheck so you can gamble
- You are always chasing your losses
- You borrow money to gamble
- You sell personal belongings to fund your gambling
- You see gambling as a means for a steady income
- You hide your gambling from your close ones
- You try to stop gambling but fail
There are many more signs which you can recognize, but these are the main ones. Some severe gambling addicts have even reported dreaming of playing at the casino and winning big. So how do you put your gambling under control and gamble responsibly?
Responsible Gambling
The first step to responsible gambling is to see that gambling online for real money should be seen as a form of entertainment. Yes, you make deposits and play for real money, but the important thing is to have fun, win or lose. You have to understand that the odds at the casino are stacked against you. Every game has a house edge working for the casino so there’s always a chance you will lose.
The next step is to gamble only with money you can afford to lose. Never gamble with your entire paycheck or money you need to pay the rent and buy food. Remember there’s a bigger chance you will lose than win, so don’t be foolish with your money. It’s best to have a gambling budget each month or week and when you lose it stop.
Another important step is to never chase your losses. Money lost at the casino is gone and trying to win it back can lead you to even bigger losses and problems. Every online casino offers responsible gambling tools like limiting your deposits, your play sessions or even full exclusion for a period of time. The last step is to get in touch with gambling addiction organizations like Gamblers Anonymous. They will help you overcome your addiction and offer support at all times.