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The igaming market grows from strength to strength. According to data on the website of consumer and market data company Statista, the online gaming industry reached a size of $63.53 billion in 2022. By 2032, the market is expected to grow to around $184.28 billion, which is a 129% increase in 10 years. 

One of the fantastic things about igaming is the variety available, from casino games and slots through to sports betting. Slots are one of the most popular types of online casino games , since they’re engaging, easy to play and there are themes to suit all tastes. Other popular games in the industry include roulette, precisely because of its ease of play; blackjack because of its ease of play and lower house edge than several other games; and poker, due to the possibility of big winnings and the fact it’s more strategic than some other casino games. 

Of course, it’s important to game responsibly when igaming. This article delves into why this is the case and offers tips on how to play games online safely. 

The importance of responsible gambling

Responsible gambling is essential, both for the individual and for the industry. Being able to gamble responsibly protects the individual from the stress that not doing so can cause, which can come in the form of money problems, addiction, poor mental health and wellbeing, problems in personal relationships and more. Responsible gambling fosters self-control and self-discipline by being able to set limits and adhere to them.

For the industry, it’s crucial for gambling service operators to create a safe environment for players. This is part of their corporate social responsibility and helps to keep the gambling industry itself sustainable as well. 

How to practice responsible gambling

Igaming is immense fun, but it’s easy to get carried away while you’re playing. Follow these tips to help you stay safe while gambling online:

Avoid thinking of gambling as a way to make money

Although you can win money when gambling, you should avoid thinking of it as a way to earn money. Don’t gamble to pay for a trip, pay off bills or clear a debt. Stable employment is the way to earn money for these kinds of money issues. Also avoid borrowing money solely for the purposes of gambling, and don’t use money intended for other purposes such as rent, bills or groceries.

Take breaks from gambling

It’s good to take temporary breaks from gambling, and gambling operators often provide a tool on their website so you can set timeout periods. During these periods, you won’t be able to place bets or access your account. The operators can’t impose these periods on you, however. You must set them up in your account. Be sure to take them. 

Set a budget and time limits

When you’re in the thick of the action, it’s easy to spend more than you’d intended and/or play for longer than you’d planned. Decide how long you wish to play and set a budget . As soon as you reach either of these upper limits, walk away and play another day. Lots of operators provide tools on their website to help players monitor their activity. These include reality checks, which pop up on the website at regular intervals on the website so players can monitor their time and spending.

Know how the games work

This may seem a little obvious, but some games appear so straightforward that you may be tempted to rush in and start playing without truly understanding how they work. Making sure you know the rules of the game and how it works is absolutely essential to make the right decisions. The better you understand the game, the more you can gauge risk levels and the potential consequences of your decisions.

Don’t gamble when you’re experiencing strong emotions

One of the things professional gamblers have in common is that whether things go well for them at the gambling tables or go poorly, they stay passive. They don’t let their emotions get the better of them. They know it can influence the quality of their decisions — and not in a good way. If they win and get too confident, they may become too loose with their gambling, whereas if they become too anxious, they may gamble more, which could also cost them dearly. Avoid gambling when you’re upset or stressed, so that you don’t make bad decisions. 

Don’t make gambling your go-to activity

There are lots of different ways to spend your leisure time, so don’t make gambling the only way you can have fun. If you do, it’s a possible sign that gambling is starting to have a damaging impact on your life. Balance gambling with other activities. Incidentally, if gambling stops being fun, you should stop gambling.

Gambling responsibly doesn’t mean being a complete and utter killjoy. Rather, it’s a way of protecting yourself so you can enjoy your gambling and get the best out of it, instead of seeing it become a cause of stress and worry.