Gambling on online slots is fun. More notably, it can be rewarding if you are lucky enough to land wins. Indeed, the prospect of having fun and winning some money in the process sounds exciting. However, it can also be problematic, as the fun and likelihood of winning drives some Canadians to overdo it. To put it in simpler words, gambling addiction is a credible risk if you find online slots irresistible.
Fortunately, there are responsible gambling solutions that you can use to keep this risk at bay and still enjoy a safe online slot play experience. Metaphorically speaking, you can have your cake and still eat it. This detailed guide discusses all of the tools and resources that you can use to stay safe when playing online slots in Canada.
The State of Online Gambling in Canada
Online gambling has been getting increasingly popular in Canada since Ontario and other provinces started legalizing and regulating the industry. Currently, over 19 million Canadians engage in different forms of online gambling.
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In Canada and elsewhere across the world, slots are the most popular online casino games. To help put this into perspective, 48% of all online wagers placed in Ontario in 2022 went to online slots, according to a report published on Gambling Industry News.
The majority of Canadians who enjoy online gambling don’t have a problem with it. However, a 2018 news article on CBC reveals that over 300,000 Canadians were at risk of developing a gambling problem. And that was back before authorities started licensing and regulating online casinos. Undeniably, addiction is a valid risk should you become obsessed with online slots.
Responsible Gambling Tools & Techniques for Slot Players
Are you worried that you could be at risk of becoming addicted to online slots? Spending more and more time and money playing are good telling signs. If this is your current situation, worry not, as you can enjoy safe online slot play through responsible gambling. The following online slot safety resources and tools can help:
Self-Control Techniques
Metaphorically speaking, the solutions you are looking for are within you. Developing self-control is the most effective way of preventing or managing a gambling problem when playing online slots. As such, try mastering these two techniques:
Self-Awareness & Self-Assessment
Self-awareness in this case entails understanding what you are doing and why you are doing it. Being self-aware can help you view your gambling activities from different perspectives. More importantly, it can help you acknowledge and confront your gambling problem.
You may think of self-assessment as reinforcement for self-awareness. It is a technique that involves using questions to paint a clear picture of your gambling activities. For example, you may be asked about how often you lose track of time when gambling. Many online casinos in Canada have self-assessment tools.
Emotional Management
You will be surprised by how intertwined emotions and gambling can be. For example, being happy or sad may trigger the urge to play online slots. Similarly, feeling sad or optimistic after a losing streak can lead players to chase their losses. In contrast, but not so different, the excitement that comes from a winning streak can also push players to keep going for more.
As such, it is important to understand exactly how your emotions affect gambling, and vice versa. More importantly, learn how to manage and master your emotions to maintain a mostly fun and safe online slot play experience.
Setting Limits
Could you be spending too much time or money playing online slots? You can set various time and financial limits to help with that. Many online casinos in Canada have some or all of the following limit options:
- Time Limits: Reduce the amount of time you spend at your online casino by setting time limits. They can be on a weekly or per session basis. Besides time limits, some casinos also have Reality Check notifications and alerts to help you monitor how much time you spend playing.
- Deposit Limits: Overspending is one of the worst effects of irresponsible gambling. Setting deposit limits is a good way to manage this. You limit how much money you can transfer to your casino wallet. The limits can be on an hourly, daily, weekly, or monthly basis.
- Wagering Limits: Placing big wagers in a bid to land big wins is a common, often costly mistake. Many players end up draining their accounts and overspending as they try to chase their losses. Wagering limits can help, as they place a cap on the amount you can wager per spin.
- Loss Limits: Most people end up overspending when they try to chase and recover their losses. Fortunately, setting limits on the losses you can incur is an effective solution. This feature automatically logs you off your account when you hit the loss limit. Some casinos also restrict further play after hitting the limit.
Support Apps & Resources
Besides looking within yourself for self-control and at the casino for tools, you can also look elsewhere for additional support. For example, you can download apps to help keep your overall gambling activities in check. Moreover, you can talk to someone about your problem. The following apps and resources can help:
- RecoverMe App: RecoverMe is a mobile application that uses various tools to help you manage addiction to gambling. More precisely, it focuses on mindfulness and behavioral therapy. It works on both Android and iOS devices.
- GamTalk: GamTalk is like an online-based social support network. This website brings together people struggling with gambling to share their experiences and support each other. It is helpful, as talking to people who understand your situation can be encouraging.
- Therapy: Besides talking to other people trying to cope with an obsession with slots, you can also speak to a professional therapist. Therapy can be effective because it tries to identify and address the root of the problem. Fortunately, every province in Canada has free gambling therapists that you can call on toll-free numbers.
- Gamban App: Are you convinced that going cold turkey is the only solution? It is understandable, as slots can be too exciting to resist. Gamban can help. It is a mobile application that restricts all gambling software and platforms on your phone. This means that you cannot install or use online casino apps or websites.
Time-Outs & Self-Exclusion
A time-out is exactly what it sounds like: a temporary break from playing online slots. It is a feature that restricts your access to your casino account for temporary periods. It can be for days, weeks, months, or even years.
In contrast, self-exclusion permanently restricts your access to your online betting account. Some casinos even restrict you from registering a new account. Moreover, you may also be unable to register at other casinos related to the brand. Like the Gamban mobile application, self-exclusion is only recommended if you want to go cold turkey.
Have Fun & Stay Safe!
Playing online slots is a fun, easy-going experience for most Canadians, as it should be. However, it can turn into somewhat of an obsession or addiction if you tend to overdo it. Fortunately, the responsible gambling solutions discussed here can help you enjoy a safe online slot play experience.
