Casinova experts have created a detailed guide for beginners on gambling safety with tips on minimising risk, gambling consciously and recognising the development of an unhealthy addiction in good time.
Our experts will tell you who you can turn to for help.
What is responsible gambling?
Self-control is the basis for responsible gambling:
- be able to stop betting even when on a winning streak;
- not play in an emotionally unstable state or under the influence of alcohol;
- choose a strategy, pursue the goals you have set;
- do not prolong the addiction.
The self-control tools offered by licensed casinos help to control gambling behaviour, make rational decisions, prevent the development of gambling addiction and only enjoy gambling.
Casinova reminds you that gambling is a form of leisure and not a means of making money or solving financial problems.
Responsible gambling is the key to a healthy attitude to gambling based on the enjoyment of the game.
The main principles of safe gambling
The main principle of safe gambling – bet free money, the loss of which does not shake the financial situation and does not affect daily expenses, do not expect to win, but simply enjoy the victories.
Funds intended for the repayment of obligatory payments, borrowed or issued on credit cannot be used for gambling.
Pre-selected budget and strict adherence to the limits will help to secure the finances and psychological state of the player.
The recommendations of the Casinova site experts:
- set a time limit for gambling – long sessions are more likely to lead to loss of control and impulsive decisions;
- avoid emotional betting – gambling requires cold calculation, stress and inclination increase the risk of making a bad decision;
- use self-monitoring tools to control financial spending and time spent gambling;
- choose reliable and licensed platforms that guarantee fair play and the protection of users’ personal data.
If you follow the principles of responsible gambling, you will have fun, minimise the risks and stay in control of your emotions and finances.
How to recognise the risks of gambling
Careful observation of personal gambling behaviour and emotional state helps to identify the risks of gambling at an early stage. Clear financial and time targets before the session begins, a gambling diary with a record of expenditure and winnings – tools for objectively assessing the situation.
The first signs of problem gambling should alert the player:
- a desire for immediate revenge after a big loss or a prolonged tilt;
- difficulty stopping play while the account is zeroed;
- using borrowed funds or money set aside for other purposes to gamble;
- neglect of other interests, family and social obligations in favour of gambling;
- irritability and emotional instability.
Casinova recommends telling people close to you about the game to get support and see the problem from the outside.
Emotional signs
Increased irritability, especially after a loss, depressed mood due to a series of failures, anxiety at the thought of betting, nervousness, stress levels, obsessive thoughts about online entertainment are signs of loss of control due to emotional instability related to gambling.
Depression develops when losses lead to feelings of guilt and hopelessness. The gambler withdraws, loses interest in hobbies or social contacts they once loved, becomes distracted and behaves out of character.
It is important to recognise the signs of problem gambling in good time and take a break in order to restore emotional balance and prevent deep addiction.
Financial signs
The financial signs of problem gambling are noticed by those around the addict at the point when gambling begins to have a negative impact on the addict’s family or personal budget:
- depletion of savings;
- planned purchases are postponed;
- Incidents of small loans to keep the game going;
- begins selling personal items to pay off debts.
Using money intended for everyday expenses or loan repayments is a clear sign of loss of control.
Casinova reminds you: it is important to only gamble with free money that you are not afraid of losing.
Tools for responsible gambling
To ensure safe gambling, licensed online casinos in the UK provide their customers with tools to control their bets and the time they spend gambling.
| Tools for responsible gambling | Functions | Effect |
| Deposit limit | Possibility to set a deposit limit for a day, a week or a month | Helps to avoid overspending and stick to a budget |
| Self-exclusion | The ability to temporarily or permanently block access to a casino account | Provides a break to take steps to restore mental health and financial wellbeing |
| Reminds you how much time you have spent in front of the screen | Reminds you of the length of your gaming session | Helps to avoid long sessions and maintain a balance between gambling and other aspects of life |
Users who actively use the tools enjoy gambling, secure their personal finances and control their emotional state.
The experts on the Casinova website help players with advice or useful links to organisations that teach users how to control their addiction.
Deposit limits
Setting deposit limits is a tool for controlling spending in online casinos. The mechanism allows you to allocate an amount of money to play for a day, a week or a month, helps to avoid situations where users spend more money than planned and prevents major financial losses due to impulsive decisions.
Setting deposit limits in online casinos:
- Log in to your personal account on the gambling establishment’s website.
- Go to the “Settings” section.
- In the “Responsible gaming” block, select the “Limit” option.
- Confirm the decision.
Once the set limit has been reached, the casino will no longer accept financial transfers to the user’s account.
Reality Reminders
Reality Reminders is a tool that helps betting fans to keep track of their playing time. At certain intervals, visitors to iGaming platforms see information on the screen about the duration of the session.
The reminder function can prevent the player from diving into the game and losing time control. Entertainment pages offer the option of setting intervals in the player’s personal account:
- 30 minutes;
- 1 hour.
The tool allows you to take breaks and stay within the set time limits, ensuring safe and responsible gaming.
Consequences of the development of gambling addiction
Ludomania has a significant impact on the daily life of the gambler and their loved ones.
The development of the disease is accompanied by constant spending on gambling entertainment, which leads to the accumulation of debt. Debt often becomes a burden for close people, which leads to conflict and tension in the family. Unhealthy feelings of guilt, shame and helplessness, failures in the game lead to depression and anxiety. The addicted person begins to avoid social contact for fear of being judged, neglects their own health, may fall into unhealthy eating habits, avoids physical activity.
The consequences of developing a severe form of gambling addiction:
- loss of work due to lack of concentration, absent-mindedness, systematic mistakes;
- breaking the law in search of money to continue the game;
- quarrelling with loved ones, neglect of family duties, children’s needs, divorce;
- deterioration of health – sleep, occurrence of heart and digestive problems;
- depression and emotional burnout.
Failure to help a severely addicted ludomaniac can lead to suicidal thoughts and irreparable consequences.
Casinova experts warn the relatives of a gambling addict not to pay their debts and justify their unhealthy behaviour to others. The best decision you can make in a difficult situation is to seek qualified help.
Contact point for help with problems
In the event of a gambling addiction, gamblers receive professional help to overcome their unhealthy addiction and lead a fulfilling life again. Family and community support plays a key role in the recovery process.
In the UK, there is a well-developed support system for people with gambling problems.
Helplines
GamCare’s helpline 0808 8020 133 accepts calls 24 hours a day, anonymously and free of charge. Operators provide telephone and chat counselling on the organisation’s website www.gamcare.org.uk, support for addicts and their loved ones, and refer players to therapeutic programmes.
The hotline operated by GamCare – National Gambling Helpline operates anonymously 24/7.
Health and GP organisations
NHS – National Health Service provides services to ludomaniacs:
- psychotherapy referrals;
- cognitive behavioural therapy;
- free treatment for gambling addiction.
In England, gamblers have access to specialised clinics, such as the National Problem Gambling Clinic in London, which requires a referral from a general practitioner. The NHS Northern Gambling Clinic is open to people in the north of England.
Gordon Moody Association offers therapeutic residential support programmes, online support programmes for gambling addicts, individual and group therapy.
Psychological help
The British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP) can help players find a qualified therapist. The organisation’s British Psychological Society (BPS) website contains a comprehensive directory of psychologists for every region of the country.
Gambling users can contact private specialists if they wish. Find a qualified psychologist through the websites:
Self-exclusion programmes
The UK operates a free national self-exclusion system from all licensed online casinos and bookmakers GAMSTOP. A player who has voluntarily or by court order entered his personal details into the database will not be able to be identified and play for money at online establishments.
For land-based betting shops in England, there is a similar self-exclusion base – MOSES (Multi-Operator Self-Exclusion Scheme).
Free software to block gambling sites on all devices BetBlocker helps to restrict access to iGaming platforms. GamBan will be able to block access to pay-to-play sites.
Support groups and communities
Gamblers Anonymous UK organises support through a 12-step programme like AA and holds regular meetings for people facing gambling addiction in cities across the UK.
The GamAnon UK website publishes information for family and friends of people with gambling addictions.
Red Card Gambling Support Project supports young people and adults affected by addiction, organises educational programmes and counselling.
Casinova recommends that at the first suspicion of addiction it is advisable to contact a GP who can refer you to specialists in your local area.
How to enjoy gambling
Responsible gambling means that the user has fun. The most important rule is to play for fun and not to generate income.
It is important to see winning as an enjoyable bonus, not an end in itself that must be achieved at all costs.
A healthy attitude towards online entertainment allows you to have fun and win money.
Frequently asked questions about safe gambling
How can I control my screen time?
You can control your screen time by using notifications and limiting the duration of your session.
Which casinos are safe?
Licensed platforms with a good reputation, clear adherence to the rules and support for responsible gaming offer users a comfortable, safe environment.
What should I do if I can’t stop?
Self-exclusion functions, professional help and a call to the player hotline can help ludomaniacs. The most important thing is to recognise the problem, stop playing and seek qualified help in good time.
