How to gamble responsibly in the COVID-19 era

Few will be surprised to discover that online gambling really took off once land-based casinos started closing due to the COVID-19 virus. When the numbers finally come out, we are going to see that so many more people who otherwise never gambled online were turned on to online casinos and virtual sports betting.

The thing about gambling is that it is as old as humankind. People have always gambled; they always will. COVID-19 is not going to stop it. However, does that mean that the COVID-19 crisis is a license to throw caution to the wind and gamble recklessly? Absolutely not. Anyone who decides to gamble during the COVID-19 era should do so responsibly.

Keep it at home

There are multiple facets to gambling responsibly. In the COVID-19 era, being responsible starts with keeping things at home. It is not likely that there are many casinos and betting shops still open in most parts of the world, but even if there are some, the most responsible thing to do is stay away from them.

Truth be told, one doesn't need to go to a physical casino or betting shop to gamble. Just about everything you could do in one of those locations has already been replicated online. Nearly every online casino we have visited for the purposes of review offers everything you would find in a land-based casino: video slots, table games, etc.

Some of these operations limit their offerings to video simulations only; others offer live games as well. If you are not familiar with live games, these are table games hosted in a remote studio and simulcast online. Players participate by way of a combination of advanced computer graphics and live audio and video feeds.

Lastly is virtual sports betting. Though not commonplace yet, a small number of operators are starting to establish new offerings based on virtual sports. The sporting events themselves are essentially video simulations that replicate the real thing as closely as possible. Look for virtual sports betting to grow in the coming months - even after the COVID-19 crisis is past.

Probably not a way to make money

Now that we have established the need to stay home during the crisis, let us talk about actual gambling practices. Our first tip is to fight the urge to look at online gambling as a way to make money. There aren't many people who can make a living gambling. Unless you are one of them, do your best to commit to gambling as an entertainment option only.

Understand that the minute it becomes a way to make money, you become more willing to wager larger amounts in order to score that big return. You stand to lose a lot more than you gain with that kind of strategy. So again, do not approach online gambling as a way to make money - especially if you are facing financial problems as a result of not being able to work, or similar.

Gamble on a budget

One of the fundamental rules of gambling is to never gamble money you cannot afford to lose. Why is this rule so important? Because losing is part of the game. There isn't a successful gambler out there who doesn't lose from time to time. There isn't a professional gambler who hasn't suffered significant losses. You do not win every spin of the reels or deal the cards. You do not leave every session with more money than you started.

The point here is to gamble on a budget. Determine how much you can afford to lose and never exceed that amount. Most importantly of all, do not gamble with money you need to pay your bills with. Any money you gamble with should be considered disposable.

Set a session limit

A natural extension of gambling on a budget is to set a loss limit for every session. Let's say you can afford to play with 100 per week in disposable income. How many times per week do you normally gamble? Let us make it easy and say 2 times. That makes your limit 50 per session.

You deposit 100 when you are ready to hit the slots or try your hand at blackjack. Then you keep an eye on your bankroll. As long as you have money to gamble, you can keep playing. If your bankroll reaches zero however, you commit to logging off and walking away. Do not grab your credit card and make another deposit in order to keep going.

Some people also suggest setting a win limit as well. In other words, you stopped playing as soon as your winnings reach a certain amount. The point of setting a win limit is to stop yourself from gambling away your winnings. This could be more important than you know.

Imagine winning 100 with a loss limit equal to that amount in place. You have doubled your deposit. Still, it is quite possible that subsequent bets and losses could wipe out your earnings for the day. Wouldn't that be frustrating? It could be so frustrating that you continued gambling until your bankroll is down to zero. Now you have effectively doubled your losses by wiping out your bankroll and the amount you won.

By setting a win limit and honouring it, any money you do win can genuinely offset previous losses. That will make gambling more enjoyable and less frustrating in the long run.

Set a time limit

Another good idea is to set a time limit. A time limit says that you will only gamble for certain amount of time, win or lose. This sort of limit works the same magic as a spending limit. It prevents you from losing too much money by continuing to gamble hour after hour. Note that time limits also act as organic win limits by getting you to quit for the day, even when you are ahead.

We recommend taking regular breaks during each session to step back and breathe. The thing with gambling is that it can be very exciting at times. It can really get the adrenaline pumping. This isn't always good in the sense that too much excitement can lead you to make unwise decisions. Taking regular breaks addresses this issue.

If you set yourself a one-hour limit per session, try stepping away for 5 minutes at the 20- and 40-minute marks. You might be surprised by how much it helps improve your mindset.

Avoid drugs and alcohol

Gambling while you are drinking or using drugs is a bad idea. Yes, television and films glamorize the idea of enjoying a stiff drink while at the poker table or roulette wheel. In reality however, drugs and alcohol impair decision-making. You are not helping yourself as a gambler by impairing your own ability to think.

The best way to enjoy online gambling is to do so while sober. Being sober means having a clear mind to think things through. It also gives you a better chance to enjoy the sights and sounds of gambling in an online environment. It can be quite entertaining for sure.

Do not gamble if you're feeling down

This next tip is especially poignant in light of the COVID-19 crisis. Let's face it, this crisis has been tough on all of us. Some of us have already been cooped up inside for weeks on end and without any human contact outside of our own families. Many of us have been out of work and are looking at financial challenges. It is enough to cause depression in otherwise mentally healthy people.

We say all that to say this: do not gamble if you are depressed. Gambling is an activity capable of inducing positive feelings by encouraging the brain to release certain chemicals that cause pleasure. Gambling while you are depressed can make you feel better for a time, but it is not a permanent solution to the problem. Furthermore, you risk making depression worse if gambling leads to losses.

It is not appropriate to use gambling as a means of dealing with depression. It is not appropriate during the COVID-19 crisis; it will not be appropriate after the crisis passes. Do not turn to gambling as a coping mechanism.

Find other things to do

One last thing to remember is that gambling out of boredom can lead to problems you are not prepared to deal with. We strongly recommend that online gambling not be your primary activity while you are stuck at home. It should only be a small part of a much larger menu of things you can do to keep yourself entertained.

Go ahead and spend a little of your free time playing your favourite casino games. But do not spend all your time gambling. Get outside and do some work around the house. Take some time to get reacquainted with your music collection. Watch some good movies with the kids and reconnect with your spouse by taking walks, cooking together, and enjoying some old-fashioned conversation.

The COVID-19 crisis has changed the world as we know it. It has certainly changed the gambling arena, turning people away from land-based casinos and betting shops to their online equivalents. Are you gambling online during the COVID-19 era? If so, please do so responsibly.

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