Responsible and Safer Gambling

For millions of people around the world, gambling is a fun pastime that's enjoyed in moderation, while for some people, it's a serious problem that must be effectively managed. The best way to ensure gambling stays fun is to do so responsibly. We'll explore exactly what responsible gambling entails, the tools you can use to manage your gambling, and more.

What is responsible gambling?

Responsible gambling is a way to manage your gambling habits in a way that it remains fun. This includes only gambling with money that you can afford to lose, only gambling as a form of entertainment, and never playing while upset or emotional. These guidelines are an important part of keeping the online gambling experience enjoyable.

When playing live casino games, the game can be so absorbing that it's easy to lose track of the amount of money you're betting. Having these guidelines and special responsible gambling tools in place helps you to control your gambling and keep the activity from causing financial or emotional harm.

Live casino responsible gambling tools

Live online casinos will offer a variety of tools that you can use to stay in control of your gambling. Each of these options can be configured to your liking, allowing you to increase or decrease the restrictions based on your level of risk tolerance.

• Deposit limits – This tool places a restriction on the amount of money you can deposit over a set period of time. Once you hit your maximum deposit, you have to wait until the end of the limiting period.
• Loss limits – Come into effect during gameplay sessions, this tool limits the amount you can lose over a period of time. Once this limit is triggered, you will not be able to play any real money games until the period has ended.
• Wagering limits – Similar to loss limits, this restricts how much you can wager while playing real money games, regardless of whether you're winning or losing. As soon as you've hit your limit, you will not be able to continue playing until it resets.
• Reality checks – During your gameplay sessions you can use reality checks to remind yourself how long you've been playing. This is a great way to remind yourself to take breaks from gambling.
• Cool-off periods – If you feel like you need to take an extended break, you can use the cool-off period to restrict all access to the casino. This tool can be set for a certain period of time, for example, 24 hours, 6 weeks, etc.
• Self-exclusion – This tool is the nuclear option for players who need to restrict themselves from all forms of online gambling. Enabling self-exclusion will prevent you from accessing the casino for generally a minimum of 6 months and cannot be reversed under any circumstances.

Responsible gambling resources

Many casinos that are licensed by a respected gambling authority will provide links to responsible gambling resources on their website. This allows you to easily find more information about responsible gambling and seek help if you think that your gambling is becoming a problem.

To help you get a head start on learning more about these resources, we've highlighted the most popular options below.

• Gamblers Anonymous – A worldwide organization that offers a 12-step recovery program and in-person meetings with other problem gamblers.
• National Problem Gambling Helpline – A free and confidential helpline available to US players that offers advice for players with questions about problem gambling.
• BetBlocker – A self-exclusion program that limits your access to over 1,500 different gambling sites. Simply enter your information and the length of your exclusion period, and your details will be passed on to more than 1,500 different casinos.
• GamBlock – A tool that you can use to prevent access to gambling sites on multiple devices, perfect for players who like to gamble on the go.

Responsible gambling tips

Responsible gambling is a key concept that we think everyone should know how to practice. So, to make sure you have fun, but in a responsible manner, we've created some helpful tips that you can use when you next play at an online casino.

• Create a budget – Before you start your gaming session, we highly recommend that you create a gambling budget and stick to it. Creating a separate bankroll that you can use for gambling allows you to play within your limits and enjoy the game without worrying about the financial impact of your results.
• Set time limits – While online gambling is fun, it should be done in moderation, so we recommend setting time limits for your gaming sessions. By setting a hard time limit with an alarm, you can pull yourself out of the game and end your session.
• Take regular breaks – If you're in the midst of a long gaming session, make sure to take regular breaks while you play. Gambling for extended periods can take an emotional toll, so taking breaks every 10-15 minutes allows you to stop and take note of your mental state, giving you the perfect opportunity to stop playing.
• Play for fun – Whenever real money is involved, there is always a temptation to think that you can win. However, your main goal while playing online casino games should be to have fun. If you reach a point where playing is no longer fun, we recommend that you stop immediately and take an extended break from gambling.

Conclusion

To sum up, responsible gambling is a set of guidelines that you can use to ensure that gambling remains enjoyable. These guidelines include only betting with money that you can afford to lose, never chasing your losses, and never playing while in a heightened emotional state.

To help you control your gambling habits, many casinos offer tools that limit your ability to deposit or make wagers beyond a certain point.

The entire team at Livesino is dedicated to the safety of our readers, so please, follow our advice and always gamble responsibly.