Casino Skills Hub
Online gambling is entertainment. Like going to the cinema or eating out, it's something you do for enjoyment — and like any entertainment, it comes with a cost. The problems start when gambling stops being fun and starts causing stress, financial pressure, or affecting your relationships.
Here's a practical guide to keeping things in check.
Set a Budget and Stick to It
Before you play, decide how much you can comfortably afford to lose. Not how much you hope to win — how much you're okay losing. This is your gambling budget, and it should come from disposable income only. Never gamble with money meant for rent, bills, food, or savings.
Set Time Limits
It's easy to lose track of time when you're playing. Set a timer on your phone, or use the casino's built-in session time reminder feature. When your time is up, stop — regardless of whether you're winning or losing.
Never Chase Losses
This is the most dangerous behaviour in gambling. After a losing streak, the urge to keep playing to "win it back" can be overwhelming. But increasing your bets or extending your session to recover losses almost always makes things worse. Accept the loss and walk away.
Don't Gamble Under the Influence
Alcohol and gambling are a risky combination. Drinking impairs your judgment and makes it harder to stick to the limits you've set. If you've been drinking, it's better to skip the casino session entirely.
Use Casino Safety Tools
Every reputable online casino offers responsible gambling features. Use them:
- Deposit limits — Set daily, weekly, or monthly caps
- Loss limits — Cap your total losses per period
- Session time limits — Get reminders or automatic logouts
- Cooling-off periods — Take a short break (24 hours to 6 weeks)
- Self-exclusion — Block yourself from the casino for months or permanently
Warning Signs to Watch For
Be honest with yourself. If any of these apply, it's time to take a step back:
- You're spending more than you planned
- You're gambling to escape problems or relieve stress
- You're borrowing money to gamble
- You're hiding your gambling from family or friends
- You feel anxious or irritable when you're not gambling
- You're neglecting responsibilities because of gambling
- You've tried to stop but couldn't
Where to Get Help
If gambling is becoming a problem, help is available — free and confidential:
- GambleAware (UK) — begambleaware.org
- GamCare (UK) — gamcare.org.uk — Free helpline and live chat
- Spielsuchthilfe (Austria/Germany) — spielsuchthilfe.at
- GamStop (UK) — gamstop.co.uk — Self-exclusion from all UKGC-licensed sites
The Right Mindset
Think of gambling as paying for entertainment, not as a way to make money. The house always has an edge — that's how casinos work. When you accept this, you can enjoy the games for what they are: entertainment with a chance of winning, but never a guaranteed income.
Play for fun. Set limits. And if it stops being fun, stop playing.