Play Responsibly: Slots and Social Responsibility

The gambling industry has a reputation for sometimes taking over the lives of its users, which is why precautions must be taken to prevent gambling addictions and irresponsible playing. Lucky for you, only a small percentage of casino patrons become addicted. For slot fans in particular, there are tons of ways to gamble responsibly. A lot of this heavily relates to the mindset you go into the game with, and in this article we're going to discuss how to play online slots responsibly.

Before you begin any gambling session, you should keep in mind this is paid entertainment. You might not think of it the way you'd think of buying a ticket to an amusement park or a movie ticket, but that's exactly what it is. You're paying for the experience. The thrill of gambling is the point of gambling, and if you happen to win something extra along the way, that's just more fun. However, the point is to enjoy time playing games, escaping from the stresses of day to day life. There's a lot to enjoy about a slot machine, other than the fact you could win money. For one, slot games can be played for free via demo mode, or played with very little money. You can bet as little as $0.01 per spin on certain machines. Slots, and online slots in particular come in a wide variety of skins. There are fishing themed online slot games, candy themed games, holiday holiday-themed games. There are licensed slot machines based on popular franchises and a whole genre of slots dedicated to all things magical. You're guaranteed a good time by playing slots, especially when you consider exciting mini-games, expanding symbols and explosive sound effects.

Money Limits

Money limits are a key element to establish before you begin playing. Sometimes, the heat of the moment can make it difficult to keep track of the money, especially if you're spinning slots at a real casino with a drink in your hand, or spinning slots on your smartphone on a Thursday night even. This is why experienced players always set up a gambling budget beforehand. This budget will allow you to have fun within a responsible limit. Your gambling budget should be separate funds destined purely for fun. Always follow the golden rule, never bet more than you're willing to lose, because the chances are you will lose. With slots in particular, you can bet more intelligently by picking a game with a suitable return to player percentage, and low volatility if you decide to place small bets. RTP is the overall percentage a game will pay back over time. Low RTP's are anything less than 96% while a favorable RTP is anything that exceeds 97%. 96% is the most common RTP you'll find.

With slot games in particular, if you choose a low volatility game you can win small amounts of money over a period of time with less risk. However, you will forfeit the chance for larger wins. Also, progressive jackpot slows often come with lower return to player percentages than other games, so you have to make a personal choice regarding whether or not your goal is to land a big jackpot or not, and bet accordingly. If you're on a tight budget, look for a game with a high RTP and low volatility, and expect a long session. This brings us to our next tip!

Setting a Time Limit

While playing slots, you should plan for a longer session, especially if you have difficulty controlling your gambling or wish to gamble a lot but don't have the funds for it. If you gamble small amounts for a long time period, you can afford a longer session. However, if you desire to win bigger amounts, you should plan for a short session. Whether you're winning or losing, it can be difficult to monitor time in the middle of a session. You want to set a time limit for your gambling, and plan other fun activities so you're motivated to stop. For example, plan an hour long slot session then make plans to meet up with a friend and have dinner. Adjust your funds so your money will cover you within the time limit you set. I also suggest using a timer of some sort to notify you when you've reached the limit.

Never Chase Losses

A common mistake many gamblers make is chasing losses. Every day you spin the slots will be different. Out of all casino games, slots are the most randomized. They take the least amount of skill, but that means some guaranteed losses as well. Some days you'll win some, and other days you'll lose. It's the nature of the game, and a fact you must be aware of before you begin. That being said, if you've played through your budget, and have reached your time limit and you've lost every penny, that does not mean you should gamble more. This is called chasing losses, and many players do it to win back the money they lost. However, this method is entirely ineffective. In fact, doing this is a fast track to problem gambling. If you notice yourself trying to chase losses, stop immediately, and distract yourself with another means of entertainment.

Gambling on Faith is Dangerous

We all have our own thoughts and feelings regarding the universe, and by no means are we suggesting having faith is a bad thing. Many players feel like they have a lucky game or a lucky time they prefer to gamble at, and nothing is wrong with that. However, you should always keep in mind gambling is still a game of chance. Slot machines do not have hot and cold periods, and they do not pay more during specific times. If you think a game pays out more for some reason, it's likely the game has a higher RTP and low volatility, which are both measurable stats. That being said, every spin of a slot machine is entirely independent from the last spin, so there is no way to predict the outcome of a slot machine. That also means there is no lucky time frame you should gamble, and there are no lucky machines in reality,

Gamblers Fallacy

Unfortunately there are a lot of gambling myths that can lead to problem gambling. You should actively avoid the Gambler's Fallacy. This is the belief that if a certain event occurred, such as landing a big jackpot, that the chances of landing a jackpot again are decreased. Gambler fallacy can also mean the opposite, where you think because you just landed a big payout that you're bound to land other payouts because the machine is on a streak. The reality is the outcome of every spin on a slot machine is independent of the previous spin.

Do Not Spin Slots Drunk or Emotionally Distressed

We all have vices and ways to cope with life, however gambling can be a dangerous vice if you play while in a state of disarray. If you're going through emotional struggles or are heavily intoxicated, set a limit and wait to play when you're more clear-headed. That way you can avoid any major mistakes. Just because slot games can be played with little money and little thought, doesn't mean you can't still lose tons of funds and play them irresponsibly!