Gamble Responsibly - CasinoSelectCanada.com

At Casino Select, we know that we have a role to play in promoting responsible gambling. The underlying message on our website is to keep your gambling in control. We pride ourselves on being straight down the line with our readers.

Selling false promises of players gaining untold riches from playing casino games is something we would never do. Our site is an educational hub where players can learn more about online casinos and online casino games, as well as compare different sites to see their strengths and weaknesses.

We encourage all visitors to read the following sections on problem gambling. We share information on how to identify it, and also how to deal with it. This is a very real problem, and the stigma attached to it often leads to bouts of denial, which, in turn, often makes the problem worse.

What is gambling addiction?

Thousands of players in Canada enjoy a small bet at the casino, and for the vast majority, it’s an entertaining and enjoyable pastime. However, there are a few players that go beyond their limits, and for them, gambling becomes a serious problem.

Gambling addiction is often deemed as a mental illness. It is a type of impulse-control disorder where the sufferer has minimal control over their urge and feeling of need to gamble. There are a range of degrees to gambling addiction, such as a full-on compulsive gambler and someone who is a binge gambler.

Recognizing the tell-tale signs of a gambling problem

Knowing what to look for in the early stages can help to prevent a gambling problem before it gets way beyond your control. Please also bear in mind, it might not be you. It could be a family member or friend that is displaying these signs.

Putting gambling before other aspects of life

If gambling is the number one priority, and this habit removes you, or someone you know, from socializing and from fulfilling work commitments, then you must consider it to be a problem.

Borrowing money for gambling

When the line is crossed from gambling with your own money to borrowing money in order to gamble, the signs are there that something is not right. When self-assessing, this is obvious, and your own honesty in admitting there is an issue is a lifeline.

However, identifying this sign in others is not so easy. No friend is going to come up to you and ask for $200 to play roulette. There would be a different excuse. However, when combined with other signs, you can hopefully connect the dots.

Being secretive about your gambling pastime

It’s human nature to talk about our interests with others. However, if you find yourself purposely avoiding such conversations, you must stop and question your motives. Is it because you are currently spending more than you know is healthy?

A desire to wager higher stakes

Gambling is like a drug that gives you a euphoric feeling when you win. However, akin to drugs, the longer you take them, the more you need to feel the same levels of ecstasy. If this is you, take a step back.

How to stay in control of your gambling

Largely thanks to more regulations, online casino operators have improved considerably in providing information and tools to help customers reaming in control of their gambling activity. These are some of the features we recommend you make use of.

Deposit limits

You can set a limit on how much you are able to deposit each week or each month. This is a collective total, so you cannot get around it by using two, three or four different payment methods. Players can remove limits on their accounts, but usually, there is a 7-day cooling-off period. During which time, the casino’s customer service will contact to find out why you want to change your deposit limits.

Loss limits

These are similar to deposit limits, but they work on total losses over a specified period. The big advantage is if you have a big win one day, a loss limit will prevent you from giving all back to the casino the next day.

Reality checks

A great way to keep tabs on how long you are playing is to set up the reality check tool. This will ping you a reminder after an hour or two hours just so you are aware of the duration of your session. Use these to help balance your online gambling interest with other things and people in the real world.

Countering a gambling problem

As we touched upon earlier on this page, your own honesty is paramount. So, you’ve taken a look in the mirror, and realized that things are going, or have gone, out of control, and you want to take action. Here are some things you can start to do.

Contact the casino’s customer support

Inform the casino that your gambling is unhealthy and ask their advice on the best steps to take in order to recover. Several sites now have staff who are trained in this area to provide proper assistance.

Unsubscribe from the casino’s mailing list

Reminders of new promotions are the last thing you need if you’re trying to counter a gambling problem. Therefore, unsubscribe to all gambling mailing lists – this includes SMS.

Self-exclude

You can take a break from the casino by self-excluding yourself. This can be temporary, like one week or one month, or you can make it permanent.

Where to get help for a problem gambling

Don’t be afraid to ask if you need professional help in your fight against a gambling problem. Counseling is the first step in taking back control of your life, and it’s certainly one of the most effective solutions long-term.

Canada has a wide network of support groups for gambling addiction. Here are some useful contact details.

RGC

Website: https://www.responsiblegambling.org/

Tel: 1-(416)-499-9800

CAHM

Website: https://www.problemgambling.ca/gambling-help/HomePage.aspx

Tel: 1-866-531-2600

Connex Ontario

Website: https://www.connexontario.ca/en-ca/

Tel: 24/7 live chat on website

Ontario Problem Gambling Helpline

Website: http://www.opgh.on.ca/