People have been playing games for cash prizes for thousands of years. From six-sided dice used in Mesopotamia 5000 years ago to bets placed on the ancient Olympic games of Greece, white pigeon lotteries of China’s Han Dynasty and the ancient Persian As-Nas game, people have always wagered on games of luck in the hopes that their bet will bring winning payouts.
Gambling was reported in many ancient sources including as part of the laws governing ancient Egypt, China and Rome and in writings in the Old and New Testament, the Jewish Talmud and by religious authorities of Buddhism and Islam. Many of these sources prescribed punishments for excessive gambling and admonishments to avoid disproportionate gambling activities.
Medieval and middle age history of Europe has multiple references to gambling including edicts, encyclicals and decrees that both limit its scope and ban it altogether based on the damage that addictive gambling behaviors can have on individuals, families and society.
Regardless, gambling has continued to grow. It’s estimated that 4 out of 5 people in the Western World play games for money at least occasionally and the growth of the online gambling industry over the last 3 years suggests that the number of Grande Vegas no deposit bonus codes is also growing.
That growth highlights the personal and social problems that addictive gambling behaviors can cause. When people find it hard to control or limit their gambling, the cost to those around them, and to society as a whole, becomes high.
What does responsible gambling mean and how do you achieve the required balance that allows you to gamble responsibly?
What is Responsible Gambling?
Responsible gaming refers to an approach to betting that emphasizes self-control, awareness, and moderation. The term “responsible gambling” encompasses various aspects of gaming including betting on video games, mobile games, sports and more. The goal of promoters of responsible gaming is to ensure that gaming remains a fun and enjoyable activity where harmful side effects like addiction, financial troubles, and social issues are minimized.
The gaming industry itself, including government regulators, operators and vendors, has adopted a code for “Safer Gambling.” This effort is meant to promote awareness of the harms associated with gambling and the steps which are needed to combat those dangers.
These steps include self-exclusion schemes and customer-imposed limits, the blocking of gambling-related transactions on credit cards, limits on some types of video gaming bets and machine speeds, time limits for playing sessions, account trackers, reminders that pop up on a player’s screen to remind him/her to take a break/stop playing and, when needed, permanent account closures.
There’s also a concerted effort on the part of the industry to eliminate underage gambling by verifying the age of the player through submitted documents as well as moves towards more transparent marketing.
All parties involved acknowledge that, ultimately, people who are prone to problem gambling behaviors will find a way around these limits and restrictions. It’s up to the individual players to practice safe gambling habits.
Players’ Safe Gambling Habits
There are a number of actions that gamers themselves can undertake in order to ensure that they are safe gamblers.
Set a Budget
Determine how much money you can afford to lose without affecting your financial stability. This is your gambling budget, and you should stick to it strictly. Remember, gambling is a form of entertainment and the budget for your entertainment should never cross into funds that you need for living expenses.
If you win money, you can add those extra payouts to your gaming budget but if you lose, don’t assume that you’ll “make it up” by further betting. Cut your losses and come back when you have replenished your entertainment budget
Self-Exclusion
Many online casinos and gambling platforms offer self-exclusion options that allow you to temporarily or permanently ban yourself from their services if you feel your gambling is becoming problematic. Bookmark that link and, if you see yourself betting more than you can afford, click on the link and self-exclude for a period of time to regroup and recalibrate.
Time Limits
Set a limit on the amount of time you plan to spend playing games. Prolonged gaming sessions can lead to unhealthy habits. Plus, the longer you gamble, the more likely you are to lose.
Know the Rules
Familiarize yourself with the rules and odds of the games that you are playing. Understanding the games can help you make informed decisions.
Don’t Chase Losses
If you're on a losing streak, resist the urge to chase your losses by increasing your bets. Accept that losses are a part of gambling, and don't try to recover them through risky bets. This holds true as well regarding “systems” like the Martingale system, which promotes the idea that, after a loss, you should double your bet in order to make up that loss. You stand no more of a chance of winning that second bet than you did of winning the first bet so you simply might end up losing more.
Balance Your Activities
Don't let gambling take up all your free time. Make sure that you have other hobbies in your life and enjoy them alongside your gambling activities.
Alcohol and Drugs
Don’t drink or take any kind of “mood-enhancing” drug while you’re gambling. Those substances reduce your inhibitions and ability to control your actions which can lead to poor decision-making. Remember, there’s a reason that land-based casinos often serve free drinks to their customers!
Seek Help
If you suspect that your gambling is impacting negatively on your life or is moving out of your control, seek help from therapists, support groups or organizations that specialize in gambling addictions.
Responsible gambling is about enjoying the experience without letting it negatively impact your life. By maintaining awareness of the need for responsible gambling, you can promote a healthy approach to gambling.
