Gambling has been around for a long time. The ancient Egyptians, Chinese, and Japanese used knucklebones as dice, and the bible contains numerous references to lotteries.
Gambling can be traced back to the Vikings in Sweden. According to legend, Sweden and Norway settled their differences with a game of dice. Gambling was so popular in the Middle Ages in the United Kingdom that restrictions were imposed as early as 1190 AD.
Nowadays, there is numerous online casino Canada to choose from.
There is a wealth of information available online to assist you in selecting the best casino and games.
So, whether you live in Sweden or South Africa, if your favorite casino game is slots, there are plenty to choose from. It’s always a good idea to read slot reviews before deciding.
Control Your Gambling
Because of the speed and convenience of online gambling, you must develop healthy habits. You can still get into trouble in land-based casinos, but you can do so much faster as an online casino player.
To help control problem gambling, general best practices require that all casinos offer players the option of self-exclusion. So, now that we know casinos and gambling are legal, how do we proceed without becoming addicted?
What Is an Addiction to Online Gambling?
Gambling addiction is an emotional issue with financial ramifications. It also has an impact on relationships with family and friends due to missed events and work. When you know how to recognize something, it is much easier to avoid it. The dos and don’ts listed below will assist you in developing healthy gambling habits.
Healthy Online Gambling Dos and Don’ts
Rather than trying to hide what you’re doing, tell people.
Never borrow money to gamble with. At best, it will put you in debt. When you discover you cannot repay your debts, you will most likely damage your relationships with friends and family. You may have a problem if you find yourself raising the stakes for a bigger thrill; kindly watch out.
- Do not gamble if you are upset, bored, or depressed.
- Maintain control over your activities.
- Maintain control over your finances, relationships, and job.
- Avoid gambling during major life transitions such as illness, retirement, job loss, and divorce.
- If you are depressed, anxious, or lonely, avoid gambling.
- If you have other addictions, you should avoid gambling completely.
- Never chase your losses and only gamble with money you can afford to lose.
- Keep your self-esteem and self-respect in check.
- Know your triggers: sadness, boredom, or whatever causes you to gamble.
- Recognize your gambling habits.
- Make sure you can stop. It’s a good idea to do this regularly to prove to yourself that you’re still in command.
- Find other healthier alternatives, such as a hobby, sport, or volunteer work.
Above all, keep in mind that online gambling is merely a form of entertainment. It should be treated as such and not be turned into your new business or profession.
Set Limits for Yourself
There should be limits on how much you’re willing to lose and boundaries that force you to stop after a certain amount is won. This will keep you from losing everything you’ve just earned. Win limits also help you control the amount of time you spend gambling by encouraging you to cash in your winnings and quit while you’re ahead.
What may be less obvious is that you should also set time limits. Your friends and family will appreciate it, which may make a difference at work.
Set Daily, Weekly, And Monthly Deposit Limits for Yourself
Many online casinos now have tools to assist you in doing so. You could also open an account with a debit card that you only use for gambling – never use a credit card, but if you must, set a credit limit.
If You find Yourself Addicted, Join a Support Group
You can seek help from a support group. Support groups are organizations run by people who have shared similar experiences and histories. Though professional interventions are lacking, support groups are free to try out in person or in online chat rooms.
Gamblers Anonymous is a support group for people with gambling problems. The group follows the well-known 12-step approach used by other support groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous.
To Cap it All
You can begin playing online casino games now that you know what to do and avoid. It can be a lot of fun, but remember that it is only for entertainment. If you feel your gambling is getting out of hand, seek help – plenty is available.