Responsible gaming

What exactly does responsible gambling and how do I know if I have a problem with gambling? Are there also ways to check my gaming behavior? We support responsible gambling. That's why you will learn everything important about gambling addiction, youth protection & self-tests here. We have also put together some useful advice & tips for you, so that you always have fun with gambling.

Gambling addiction: how to recognize problematic gambling behavior?

Only those who are at least 18 years old are allowed to participate in gambling. That's what the Youth Protection Act wants. But this measure alone is not enough to save players from dangerous gambling behavior.

When it comes to gambling addiction, it is important to recognize what is going on as quickly as possible. This applies to both relatives and the player. The following behavior may also indicate problematic gaming behavior:

Players are constantly looking for opportunities to participate in gambling.
To get money to play, you try everything. Theft or fraud are also not uncommon.
You show up late for appointments or can't explain why you were absent.
Work, study or school are neglected.
Mood swings occur. From depressed to excited or even aggressive, anything is possible.
Overall, more and more money is often spent on the games, and the playing time is extended.

So there are quite different manifestations and signs. Basically, gambling addicts are all about the next round of gambling – and this is accompanied by noticeable whims and a great need for money. Anyone who recognizes early on that he or she has a problem (or notices conspicuous behavior among acquaintances and family) can break the vicious circle better.

How can gambling addiction be prevented?

If you don't want to take any risks, you don't take part in casino games or sports betting. But of course this is not a must, because especially in casinos there are opportunities to observe your own gaming behavior.

And that's exactly what we advise you to do: always keep an eye on your game and budget. Take self-tests if you are unsure whether your playing behavior is OK. Also, set limits that you are not allowed to exceed. This way you can have fun with the games – but stay within your financial limits and don't have to be afraid of gambling addiction.

But if you are already getting restless while reading this text, it is certainly time to question your behavior. Gambling should be a nice pastime and bring pleasure, but do not put pressure on yourself.

Protection of minors: parents have these options

Online Casinos pay out winnings only to players who are over 18. For this, proof of identity must be provided. But what can parents do to prevent minors from entering the gambling sites in the first place? For example, a child protection software is useful. This allows specific pages to be blocked in a targeted manner.

It is also important to educate young people about the dangers at an early age. If parents notice suspicious behavior, quick action is required.

What is responsible gambling?

In English we speak of "responsible gaming", with us this is called play responsibly . This is accompanied by a uniform code, according to which betting providers and gambling sites are guided. This includes some standards that should guarantee the safety of the players.

This means that players can not only move around on protected sites, but also become active themselves: set personal time and money limits to control your bets. Especially international casinos with EU licenses offer a lot of leeway in terms of your bets and the duration of the game. It makes sense to make a few settings yourself that fit your possibilities.

Useful tips

When it comes to player protection, not only the casinos are in demand, but also you. You should always question your behavior. Stay critical and stick to the following principles:

Only bet money that you can also spend.
Casino games are for entertainment. Losses are also part of the entertainment, which is why you should accept them.
If you are emotionally charged, you should refrain from gambling.
You should never borrow money to keep playing.
Gambling should never be about relationships or the profession/obligations.
Set limits that you cannot exceed.
Seek help immediately and remove yourself from the gambling sites if you consider your behavior problematic.

Thus, websites offer you important tools with which you can keep control. But you also have to always be honest with yourself and should make sure that Gambling activities for entertainment only. It's also not a good idea to assume that you can make a living from gambling.

Poker pros are an exception, but there are only a few of them. Generating your income with slot machines is also far from advisable.

How gambling addicts get help

Gambling addicts and those at risk of gambling addiction can consult various organizations and websites. Relatives are also encouraged to take action if they notice problematic gambling behavior. Most counselling centres can be reached at any time. In addition, various information pages and self-tests are available at any time.

GamCare : This organization from the UK is very well known and deals with the topic of gambling addiction. Relatives can also get help there.
Gambling Addiction Therapy : The French-language version, where you can also find help. You can contact contact persons there, conduct self-tests or get extensive information on the topic of responsible gambling.
Gamblers Anonymous : If you are looking for an anonymous support group, this website is a good choice. You can also find a lot of information there.
Games-with-responsibility : For people with a gambling problem & also for relatives of players there is help.

Self-test on the topic of gambling addiction

On sites like Check your game or gambling addiction therapy there are extensive self-tests. There you can fill out a questionnaire and question your gaming behavior. Some of the questions you should ask yourself are for example:

Do you have to play longer and longer to get a kick?
Do you constantly think about gambling or are you constantly busy with it?
Do you feel irritable or aggressive when you can't play?
Have you ever neglected your social contacts in order to be able to play?
Are you trying to escape from reality by playing and forget about worries?
Have you lost track of your finances?
Are you trying to recoup losses and betting more than you should?

It is enough if you can answer even one question with a "yes". Because this already indicates a problematic gaming behavior. Of course, not every emotional outburst means that you are addicted to gambling and should never participate in the games again – but a tendency can probably be observed.

This makes it all the more important to set a budget and take regular breaks. After all, a little thrill is part of the adventure, but excessive outbursts of emotion (especially regular ones) indicate a problem.

What do online casinos do to protect their players?

Only those who are of legal age may gamble online. This can be verified by requiring players to upload personal documents to identify themselves. Only then will winnings be paid out. A first important step to keep minors away from gambling.

In addition, you can expect strict Françaisen licenses in the future, which set the betting limit significantly lower than EU casinos. But even on sites that are licensed in Malta or Curacao, there are protective measures: there is no uniform lock file or usage limits, but there are individual tools. With this you can adjust how much you can bet and play. You will also stay up to date on your losses thanks to the always visible game history.

Nevertheless, it is clear that Internet casinos can promote gambling addiction. Although most gambling fans manage to go to the thing with pleasure, there are always exceptions. Hopefully you now know that you yourself are also in demand: keep an eye on your behavior, your finances and your emotions.

If you also notice that conspicuous gaming behavior is observed in your circle of acquaintances, you must become active. The sooner the risk of gambling addiction is detected, the better.

FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions about Responsible Gambling

Haven't we been able to clarify all the questions about responsible gambling yet? Or did you skip the article and scroll right to the end? We will summarize the most important things for you again shortly.

What is responsible gambling?
Responsible gambling depends on two sides: you and the online casino. Your task is to observe your behavior and emotions. On the other hand, they must offer the opportunity to keep an eye on your finances and have you blocked from the site if necessary.

How do I know that I am addicted to gambling?
A self-test can provide information. You can find many of them online, for example on the Gambling addiction Therapy page. Ask yourself if you are feeling aggressive or irritable. Whether you bet more money than you should. Or whether you are constantly trying to recoup your losses. If you can answer many of the self–test questions with "yes", caution is advised - or even a direct termination of participation in gambling.

Where can I get help if I am addicted to gambling?
Check out sites like GamCare, Gambling Addiction Therapy or Gamblers Anonymous. On the pages you will find a lot of useful information as well as contact persons. Gambling addiction is nothing to be ashamed of. The only important thing is that you recognize your problem and act accordingly. This also applies to relatives of gambling addicts.