Responsible gaming
Ensuring utmost importance on responsible gambling, we prioritize honesty, transparency, and integrity in our content. Our main objective is to provide online casinos that deliver entertainment, fun, along with a fair and secure gaming environment.
Although we don't engage in online gambling for money ourselves, we fully endorse the concept of responsible gambling. As we search for the best casinos, games, and promotions, we always take into account the efforts made by each casino regarding player protection. This encompasses all aspects of online gambling, as we consider it just as important to safeguard adults who may not benefit from playing, as well as ensuring that underage players are kept out in every way possible.
We aim to raise awareness among our readers, not only by introducing online casinos and other gambling sites but also by sensitizing them to the signs of problematic gambling. In evaluating these platforms, we always take into account the extensive measures undertaken by an online casino to ensure that players do not exhibit problematic gaming behavior.
Minor players
Not only are the online casinos themselves, but also the laws of the countries in which we operate, unequivocal when it comes to online gambling for minors. The promotion of gambling for minors is strictly prohibited. If we have reasonable suspicion that a visitor to our website is a minor, we will deny them access to our services. Furthermore, attempting to register an account at the online casinos presented here as a minor constitutes a violation of the terms and conditions of our service.
In addition to implementing our own security measures, we strongly encourage our adult users to take all necessary steps to prevent online gambling among minors. Some helpful actions in this regard include the following measures:
- Do not store usernames and passwords used for online gambling, neither on paper nor in digital form. Never share your login credentials with third parties, especially if there is a possibility that these login credentials could be used by an underage player.
- Do not save passwords on websites for online gambling. Many web browsers allow users to save their login information for faster access in the future. While this is convenient, it can also make it easier for potential underage players to access.
- Keep your credit and debit cards, as well as your online payment login details, secure and inaccessible to minors.
- If you live with minors in your household, you can utilize online filtering and child safety software to ensure that underage computer users are unable to access gambling websites. Tools like NetNanny and CyberPatrol Programs and URL blacklists are used to ensure that no connections to gambling providers can be made until they are disabled by the account holder.
Individuals exhibiting problematic gambling behavior
Dependencies rarely receive enough space to be discussed. Addiction is a genuine issue that affects many individuals. Gambling, too, can be addictive. Even if it is not always immediately recognized, compulsive gambling should be identified as early as possible. Unfortunately, there are no clear signs of when gambling becomes problematic. Financial losses, for example, do not necessarily accompany it. Problem gamblers may also use gambling as a means of distraction. Not all problematic players incur debt due to their addiction, but those who postpone or avoid other activities in favor of gambling may still require support.
As previously stated, identifying problematic gambling behavior can pose a challenging task. This applies to both individuals experiencing addiction and those surrounding the addict. Similar to many dependencies, acknowledging or even recognizing the detrimental effects of gambling on other aspects of one's lifestyle can prove difficult. Moreover, addiction can also be exacerbated or intensified by other issues such as alcohol.
Addiction, including gambling, can always come with consequences. The potential for addiction is no longer a taboo subject nowadays. Those experiencing the symptoms of addiction can seek professional support. In nearly every country, there are now both government and private assistance programs available for individuals, as well as (self)-help groups. Anyone exhibiting noticeable addictive behavior can and should seek help as soon as possible.
Fortunately, not everyone is affected by gambling addiction. The majority of players can enjoy gambling as a pastime and hobby without any detrimental consequences.
Reducing the risk of addiction
Although we are a part of the online gambling industry, we are not an online casino. This allows us to be much more open and honest in addressing and combatting addiction risks. Naturally, online casinos themselves are not interested in promoting addiction among their customers. However, we only consider online casinos that are licensed and provide a safe and fair gaming environment. Obtaining permission to host gambling activities is subject to strict requirements regarding the promotion of responsible gambling. Licensed casinos must meet high standards when it comes to advertising and customer retention. Players should only gamble within their financial means – and we wholeheartedly agree with this stance.
The guidelines outlined below are applicable to individuals engaging in gambling activities. It is important to adhere to these principles, even if you perceive gambling as harmless. It is recommended that you follow these guidelines:
- You cannot make a living in an online casino. The old saying "The house always wins in the end" and mathematical laws also apply online. Even the most generous slots will pay out no more than 97% of the bets, with the remaining 3% representing the casino's profit. These percentages are statistical averages and cannot be applied to a single gaming session, but rather apply to the sum of all bets. This means that it is not unlikely to lose more than "just" 3% with each spin. There are a few professional gamblers who play in online casinos, but it requires tremendous luck, discipline, and strategic skills. For us, casino games are nothing more than a pleasant pastime, and you should see it similarly.
- Do not chase losses. Problem gamblers often believe that they can recover their previous losses by continuing to play and eventually winning. This behavior is risky and can be costly for the player. There is a real danger that players may wager more than they can afford. Therefore, we strongly advise every player not to exceed their means.
- Never gamble more than you can afford. Leisure activities, whether they involve gambling or not, require money. As a player, you must always ensure that what you are willing to pay for your entertainment aligns with what you can afford. For many, the best approach is to make a deposit that does not have a negative impact on their remaining finances. By using this deposit as an official loss limit and setting a predetermined goal for winnings, where you stop playing and cash out, a session can be both rewarding and entertaining without any risk. Gambling should never lead to debt and outstanding balances. Using overdrafts, credit lines, or credit card limits for online casinos is not recommended under any circumstances.
- Only play when you are in good condition. The mood/state of a player can make a big difference in gambling. Just as one must be fit to drive a vehicle, it should also be ensured that decision-making abilities and reactions are not impaired when visiting a casino. The risk of addiction or making poor decisions is higher for individuals under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or feeling tired. If the decision-making process is affected, it may be more difficult to determine the right time to leave the casino or when to cash out.
- Don't lose track of time. An ordinary option for responsible gambling in online casinos is to notify the player once they have played for a specific period. This is a feasible alternative to limiting deposits or setting profit goals. By combining these two pieces of advice, you increase your chances of leaving the casino with a profit at the best possible time or, at the very least, avoiding unbearable losses.
- Have fun. In our first point, we have already mentioned that a career as a professional gambler in online casinos is almost impossible. Gambling should never feel like hard work or make you tired and exhausted. If playing in an online casino becomes stressful or boring, it's time to stop.
Tools and aids for responsible gambling in online casinos.
Responsible gambling establishments are obligated by regulatory authorities to provide their customers with assistance tools. These tools allow players to restrict their gaming accounts in various ways, ensuring that they do not make decisions they may later regret. These resources are excellent options for all players, regardless of whether they believe they are at risk of developing a gambling addiction or not. Even if the risk of problematic gambling behavior does not personally affect you, these assistance tools provide additional protection against making mistakes or poor choices.
Limits
While problematic gambling can manifest in various ways, its most significant impact often lies in the realm of finances. Reputable casinos always provide the option to set limits at any time, aiming to keep this risk at a minimum.
Deposit Limits
Players have the ability to set a variety of financial limits. The most commonly used tool when it comes to responsible gambling is the deposit limit. Players have plenty of options and can set limits per day, week, and/or for the entire month. Once a limit is reached, the casino will no longer accept any additional deposits.
Limits may vary from one casino to another. Some adopt the approach that after reaching the limit, another deposit can only be made 24 hours later, while others reset the limit at a specific time, like midnight. The specific terms and conditions of these limits can differ significantly among various casinos. It is advisable to carefully review the regulations of each individual casino to ensure compliance with their specific policies regarding deposit limits.
These thresholds are applicable for lower deposits as well. If the daily limit is set at €50 and players have made deposits totaling €20, they can proceed to make additional deposits amounting to a total of €30 thereafter. In this example, 24 hours after the initial deposit, an additional €20 can be deposited.
In order to increase payment-related limits, individuals typically have to wait for a confirmation, which usually takes up to 7 days. However, if a player wishes to further decrease their limits, these restrictions will be immediately applied.
Combining these limits is a smart move to consider. Suppose a player has a daily limit of €25 and a weekly limit of €100. In a week, they can reach their full daily deposit limit on four days but will have to wait for the weekly limit to reset before making another deposit. This approach ensures responsible gaming while still allowing for flexibility in depositing funds.
Loss limits
Financial limits in online casinos don't necessarily have to be directly tied to deposits. It is equally possible to set loss limits. These are particularly valuable for those who want to maintain a balance and avoid losing their winnings at the end of a gaming session. Loss limits ensure that players can only lose a specific, fixed amount within a certain time period, regardless of deposits and withdrawals. These limits can often be more flexible than strict deposit limits, as withdrawals are also taken into account. The benefits of loss limits become apparent in the following example. Let's assume a player has a deposit limit of €250 and deposits that amount on the first day of the month. However, they later withdraw €200. With a deposit limit of €250, they wouldn't be able to play for an entire month. On the other hand, with a loss limit, they have more flexibility and can still play within responsible limits.
Time limits
Many gambling establishments remind their players every 60 minutes that another hour has passed. Frequently, this notification is accompanied by a summary of winnings and losses. However, this pop-up can usually be disabled or rendered ineffective with a few clicks. For some players, a binding time limit is therefore more suitable. Most online casinos offer extensive options to set both the maximum amount of time one wants to spend gambling and the intervals between breaks.
Self-exclusion
Whether it be through manual intervention or automated processes, every reputable online casino provides players with the option of self-exclusion. This measure effectively bans the player from the casino for a specific period of time or indefinitely in the event of account closure. This drastic action is suitable for anyone who is at risk of developing a gambling addiction.
The majority of casinos provide players with the option to close their accounts using self-exclusion tools. In the event that this option is not available, players can reach out to customer support in order to make their decision. The regulated casinos recommended by us are legally obligated to offer their players a seamless means of self-exclusion.
Given this, it is not surprising that neither the player nor the customer service can override self-exclusion. Attempts to open a second account at the same casino are immediately blocked. By the way, having a second user account always violates the casino's terms and conditions. Moreover, the casino is obligated to cease sending any form of marketing communications and advertisements. Therefore, we consider self-exclusion as the safest option for anyone who considers themselves at risk.
If you have any concerns about your online gambling, it is advisable to seek diverse professional assistance. We are more than willing to assist with any inquiries from players relating to problematic gambling. The support teams of the top casinos are also almost always a reliable source for initial tips and advice. After all, online casinos themselves have a vested interest in ensuring that their players always stay within their limits.