At FreeSpinsBonus.net, we believe that online gambling should always be a fun and exciting form of entertainment. We are dedicated to providing our users with a safe and transparent environment, but we are also deeply committed to promoting responsible gambling and ensuring player well-being.
While the majority of players enjoy online casinos without any issues, we recognize that for a small minority, gambling can cease to be fun and become a problem. Our goal is to provide you with the information and tools you need to gamble responsibly and to ensure you have a safe and enjoyable experience. This page is designed to offer guidance, resources, and support to help you stay in control.
Understanding Responsible Gambling
What is Responsible Gambling?
Responsible gambling means treating online casino gaming as a form of entertainment, not as a source of income. It's about staying in control of how much time and money you spend, ensuring that gambling does not negatively impact your finances, relationships, or mental health. Safe gambling is informed gambling, and understanding the principles is the first step.
Key Principles of Responsible Gambling:
To help you understand how to gamble responsibly online, keep these key principles in mind:
- View Gambling as Entertainment, Not a Job: Treat any money you spend on gambling as a cost for your entertainment, just like buying a movie ticket or going to a concert. It is not a reliable way to make money.
- Only Gamble with Money You Can Afford to Lose: Never use money that is meant for essential expenses like rent, bills, or food. Set a strict entertainment budget and stick to it.
- Set Time and Money Limits: Before you start playing, decide on a budget and a time limit. Once you hit your limit, stop. Most licensed online casinos offer tools to help you do this.
- Never Chase Your Losses: It can be tempting to try and win back money you have lost, but this often leads to bigger losses. Accept the loss as the cost of your entertainment and walk away.
- Don't Gamble When Under the Influence or Upset: Gambling when you are stressed, depressed, angry, or under the influence of alcohol can impair your judgment and lead to poor decisions.
- Balance Gambling with Other Activities: Ensure that gambling is just one of many hobbies you enjoy. A healthy balance with other social, professional, and family activities is crucial for online casino safety.
Are You at Risk? Signs of Problem Gambling
It's important to be aware of the warning signs of problem gambling. Being honest with yourself is the first step toward getting help. Review this checklist to see if any of these behaviours apply to you or someone you know.
- Are you preoccupied with gambling, constantly thinking about past experiences or planning your next session?
- Do you feel the need to bet with increasing amounts of money to achieve the desired excitement?
- Have you made repeated, unsuccessful efforts to control, cut back, or stop gambling?
- Do you feel restless, anxious, or irritable when you try to reduce your gambling?
- Do you gamble as a way to escape from problems or to relieve feelings of helplessness, guilt, or depression?
- After losing money, do you often return another day to get even (“chasing” your losses)?
- Do you lie to family members, friends, or therapists to conceal the extent of your involvement with gambling?
- Have you jeopardized or lost a significant relationship, job, or educational opportunity because of gambling?
- Have you relied on others to provide money to relieve a desperate financial situation caused by gambling?
If you answered “yes” to one or more of these questions, it may be a sign of a gambling addiction, and we strongly encourage you to seek gambling help.
Take Control: Responsible Gambling Tools
Modern online casinos are required by regulators to provide players with tools to promote safe gambling. These features are easy to use and give you complete control over your gambling activity. We highly recommend using them from the moment you sign up.
Set Deposit Limits
One of the most effective ways to manage your spending is to set gambling limits. All reputable casinos allow you to set daily, weekly, or monthly deposit limits. Once you reach this limit, you won't be able to deposit more funds until the period resets. This is an essential tool for sticking to your budget.
Set Time Limits/Reality Checks
It’s easy to lose track of time when you’re having fun. Reality Checks are pop-up notifications that appear after a set period of play (e.g., every 30 or 60 minutes). They remind you how long you've been playing, allowing you to make a conscious decision to continue or take a break.
Take a Cooling-Off Period
If you feel like you're losing control or just need a short break from gambling, you can use a “Cooling-Off” or “Time-Out” feature. This allows you to temporarily suspend your account for a period ranging from 24 hours to several weeks. During this time, you will not be able to log in or deposit.
Self-Exclusion
For a more permanent solution, self-exclusion is a critical tool. This allows you to block yourself from an online casino for a longer period, typically from six months to five years, or even permanently. During the self-exclusion period, the operator will close your account and take all reasonable measures to prevent you from opening new ones. This is a serious step for those who feel their gambling has become a problem.
Get Help: Support for Problem Gambling
If you are struggling with problem gambling, please know that you are not alone and that free, confidential help is available. Reaching out for gambling support is a sign of strength. The following organizations are experts in providing guidance and support for anyone affected by a gambling addiction.
- Gamblers Anonymous: A fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength, and hope with each other to solve their common problem and help others to recover from a gambling problem. They offer local meetings worldwide.
- Gambling Therapy: A global online support service offering free practical advice and emotional support to anyone affected by problem gambling. They offer a helpline, live chat, and forums in multiple languages.
- Website: https://www.gamblingtherapy.org/
- BeGambleAware: A UK-based charity that provides information to help people make informed decisions about their gambling. They offer a confidential helpline and live chat for advice and support.
- Website: https://www.begambleaware.org/
- National Gambling Helpline (UK): 0808 8020 133
For help with gambling addiction, we also recommend searching online for your national gambling helpline or support service, as many countries have dedicated local resources available.
Preventing Underage Gambling
It is illegal for anyone under the age of 18 (or the legal gambling age in their jurisdiction) to gamble. FreeSpinsBonus.net and all the casino partners we feature are strictly for adults only. We take the prevention of underage gambling very seriously.
Parents can use filtering software to block gambling sites and other unsuitable content from their children. Here are some recommended solutions:
- Net Nanny
- GamBan
- CyberSitter
Our Final Message
At FreeSpinsBonus.net, our priority is that you have fun in a safe and responsible manner. Gambling should be an enjoyable pastime, and we encourage you to use the responsible gambling tools and resources mentioned on this page.
Always play within your limits, understand the risks, and remember to ask for help if you ever feel that your gambling is no longer in your control. Play safe, stay informed, and keep it fun.
