Responsible Gambling

Responsible gaming consists of various factors - both the tools offered by the casino and your own responsibility. Here are some guidelines you can follow.

Gambling is Entertainment

Although online casinos offer ample opportunities to win, it is and remains a game of luck. From classic table games to poker tournaments and TV show games, it is first and foremost entertainment, not a way to make money. Play casino games to have a good time, not to make money.

Play in a Good Mood

Studies show that playing in a bad mood or on a bad day leads players to make reckless decisions and overspend. You should only play in the casino when you have really free time, are in a good mood and can enjoy the casino games.

Set Limits

All reliable online casinos offer different usage limits that help you not to exceed the set budget. Once the limit you set is reached, you can no longer deposit or play at a certain time. The limits can be different - the time spent in the game, the bet limit, and the deposited money limit.

How Do Online Casinos Practice Responsible Gaming?

A responsible casino site offers players the tools to play responsibly. The most popular of them are:

• Setting bet limits on your player account so you can't gamble more than you can afford to lose.
• "Reality check" feature, or the on-screen notification that reminds you when it's time to stop playing.
  
• "Self-deactivation" which means you can deactivate your player account for a week/ month/ 3 months/ 6 months/ year.
  
• Visit casino sites that promote responsible gambling practices.
  

How Does Gambling Addiction Develop?

There is no single clear explanation as to what causes compulsive gambling disorder. It all depends on psychological factors that are different for every person affected by excessive gambling. Although greed can cause compulsive gambling, the following reasons are more common:

Financial Hurdles

People who experience financial difficulties will struggle to comprehend the importance of responsible gambling in online casinos. Those who struggle to make ends meet with their existing income levels can sometimes view casino bets as a lifeline that can bring them a lot of money. Typically, you only expect to bet a small amount of money, hoping it will triple in an instant, freeing you of financial difficulties.

However, if you have not reached your target, your expectations and hopes to win will be increasing day by day, and you will invest more and more money. All of a sudden, you are trapped in a vicious circle that makes it difficult to get out of, and overcoming your financial problems becomes even harder. Such thinking certainly does not indicate responsible gambling.

Escape From Reality

People who have a stressful life and a lot of responsibilities tend to look for possible opportunities to get rid of stress and depression. Such people tend to lose a sense of time trying to escape everyday duties.

• New credit cards and outstanding bills;
• You are secretive about your gambling because you are afraid of what others will think and say about you;
  
• Disputes over money in the family;
  
• Your work life and professional achievements deteriorate;
  
• The idea that you could spend a day without gambling makes you depressed;
  
• You catch yourself contemplating theft to get money for gambling;
  
• You neglect your hobbies;
  
• You believe that the next gambling session will be different and will solve all your money problems.
  

A responsible casino operator will always offer a player tools for responsible gambling. Our experts have evaluated casinos that offer responsible gambling tools, please see a summary of the most common ones below:

• Put a limit to your spending in your player’s account and never play more than you can afford to lose.
• Turn on the “reality check” function that casinos offer. “Reality check” is a pop-up notification that prompts you to stop playing.
  
• “Self-exclusion” – you can deactivate your casino account for a week/month/3 months/6 months/year.
  
• Find support on responsible gambling websites.

Check whether you are on the verge of developing a gambling addiction by taking self-assessment test. If, however, you are in a situation where you are unable to play responsibly, you have the opportunity to get professional help.

Support for gambling problems:

Gamblers Anonymous

• gamblersanonymous.org
• Email (Latvia): as@as.org.lv
• Phone (Latvia): 24667656

Freedom of Play (Spēles brīvība)

• www.spelesbriviba.lv
• Phone: 29323202
  

Safe Game (Droša spēle)

• www.drosaspele.lv

Community "Skalbes"

• www.skalbes.lv
• Phone: 29323202
  

Lottery and Gambling Supervision Inspectorate: Counseling and Support Groups

• www.Iaui.gov.lv/en
• Email: psihologs@iaui.gov.lv
  
• Phone: 67504966
  

Hospital "Gintermuiža": Minnesota Program

• Helpline: 63022483, 25731229; 63020347 (working days, from 8.00-8.30 and 12.30-13.00)

Riga Psychiatry and Narcology Center: Minnesota Program

• rpnc.lv
• Phone: 67080210