Gambling is a great activity if you are looking for a way to kill some time. However, it’s also an activity that warrants a lot of attention and cautiousness. Getting addicted to games of luck or sports betting is easier than you think. One minute, you are placing a bet on the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, and the next minute you find yourself looking for a way to pay off your debt. Luckily, there’s something called responsible gambling in Canada, and it’s supposed to prevent you from making a very costly mistake.

What does the term responsible gambling in Canada mean?

Even though it might not look like it, online casinos will not profit by creating an addiction in their players. They might get more money short term, but a gambling addict’s tempo is not sustainable in the long run. That’s why they have put in place something that’s called responsible gambling – a set of practices that help their players be in charge of their actions.

These practices aim to help you stay on the right path when gambling or betting on sports so that you never invest more money than you can afford. Of course, everything depends on your free will and how willing you are to keep yourself out of trouble. That’s why it’s best not to resort to these actions as a last-ditch effort to save yourself from the shackles of addiction, although the ‘better late than never’ policy certainly applies here. Instead, investigate whether you should put these practices in place as soon as you start playing or betting on different sports.

The best practices to implement – responsible gambling edition

Stick to a budget

Imagine spending days of your life in search of the best online casino, only to make the rookie mistake of spending more than you can afford. And mind you that the search for the right casino takes some time, as it involves reading through online reviews on specialized websites such as Time2play, as well as going through customer testimonials. That’s why you should look for an online casino in Canada that features a special tool that allows you to set a pre-determined budget.

Keep in mind that you should be able to set a daily, weekly, or monthly budget. Please be realistic when deciding what your budget should be, as the other aspects of your life shouldn’t suffer due to your gambling habits.

Set a time-limit

It’s far too easy to get carried away while gambling and spend more time on it than intended. The problem isn’t in staying up an hour or two later than planned – the problem lies in all the money that you are bound to spend this way. Besides, spending more time on gambling than you should is quickly going to result in an unhealthy habit, which tends to reflect negatively on one’s mental well-being. Therefore, most online casinos that are big advocates of responsible gambling in Canada will offer a time-out option.

Nowadays, most software providers are focused on creating games that feature a built-in clock while playing. This serves as a gentle reminder of how much time you have already spent on gambling, and you’ll have the opportunity to quit while you still got time.

Have the self-exclusion option in mind

Now, this one is mostly used by people who have already noticed that they are in trouble. We won’t go into details as to what could get one to use the self-exclusion option, as people resort to it due to many different reasons. However, we will say that it’s the best idea to find an online casino that offers this option, as it shows that they have your best interest in mind.

In essence, the self-exclusion option will make it impossible for you to access any game on the casino’s website. You won’t be able to play a quick game of poker every once in a while or bet on the latest CFL games on the schedule. At least, you won’t be able to do so while your self-imposed ban lasts. Usually, you can choose how long you want the self-exclusion to last, with one month, three months, and six months being the most popular time marks.

Who should pay special attention to responsible gambling in Canada?

While it’s a good idea for every person to keep these practices in mind, they become that much more important if some special circumstances are present. The first group that should make responsible gambling their priority is related to those who have already faced some sort of addiction in the past. That makes you more vulnerable to becoming addicted to gambling, so it’s best to be on the safe side.

Secondly, individuals with a history of mental health problems should be extra cautious when playing online games. The negative effects of gambling might get to them more easily. The same goes for people who are experiencing financial struggles and difficulties. If this is your situation, you should remember that the last thing you need is to put additional strain on your budget. Finally, minors should stay as far away from gambling as possible. Adults over a certain age are the only ones who legally have access to online casino games, and minors shouldn’t try to find a way to create an account.

Seek help if necessary

At the end of the day, one could take all the precautions and still find themselves in a financial predicament. Should that happen, one shouldn’t hesitate to seek professional help. We are not only talking about a lengthy conversation with a therapist that specialized in addiction – we also refer to the responsible gambling organizations in Canada that are happy to provide help. They aim to provide the necessary consultancy without an ounce of judgment, so you should feel free to contact them. But as long as you pay attention to the practices related to responsible gambling in Canada in advance, we don’t think you will encounter an issue. Instead, you’ll be able to enjoy your daily dose of gambling while still keeping your finances safe.