Understanding Gambling Psychology – Guide to Responsible Play

When players get into any form of gambling – whether it’s casino games, slots, or sports betting – they often believe they’re going to win. Let’s face it, nobody plays because they think they’re going to lose. While it’s certainly fine to stay positive, sometimes that mindset can get us into trouble.

Responsible gambling in Canada is something that often gets overlooked, but it’s critical that you always keep it in the back of your mind when you play. You have to play within your limits. It’s not always the sexiest topic to talk about, but we want everyone here to play safely. That’s why we’re going to delve into understanding gambling psychology and explain why it’s so important.

How Responsible Gambling Protects Your Fun (and Your Wallet)

Some people wonder what it means to play responsibly. The reality is that many players don’t set boundaries when they’re gaming. This lack of If limits, can really make a fun experience go off the rails.

What exactly does that look like? It might mean losing large sums of money, or neglecting special relationships. For example, gambling with rent money or your child’s school fund, could negatively impact your life and social circle.

In general, there’s nothing wrong with having some fun. Set limits, have a budget, and hold yourself accountable to it. Using responsible gaming tools, like predetermined limits (on amount of time played, losses, or deposits) and cool-off periods is a great way to feel the thrill, without going overboard. Moreover, understanding your own psychology and play style can go a long way in protecting your mental health, your relationships – and, of course, your wallet.

The Different Gambling Styles and Their Psychology

If you’re a gambler, you’ll definitely recognize yourself in one (or more!) of these categories, each with its own unique way of thinking:

Most gamblers fall pretty squarely into one of these broad categories. Fortunately, these mindsets alone are not problematic. It’s only when each style of player starts to lose control that concerns arise.

The Thrill-Seeker

Typically, this is someone who is there for a high. We all love the highs of hitting a huge jackpot or cashing in big after a slots bonus round. They especially love to risk a little, and win a lot.

The Strategist

This type of player is more calculated. For example, someone who seeks to understand the strategy of Blackjack and sticks to the probabilities of the game.

The Social Gambler

This is the type of player who loves the social aspect. Think of someone who goes to poker night with friends or heads to a casino with a buddy to play craps online.

The Escape Gambler

Many of us use different forms of entertainment to escape for a bit. For some, it might be reading a book, playing video games, or binge-watching a show. For others, it’s playing in the casino for a little while.

What Are the Red Flags of Problem Gambling?

This is the part of the article that’s going to force you to look into the mirror a little bit. Understanding gambling psychology is just the first step. Noticing problematic behaviour or thought-patterns and responding accordingly is what will really make you a responsible gambler. The types of gambling styles come with certain potential pitfalls.

We have outlined each of these for you, to help you spot lurking dangers, before it is too late:

Gambling style	Trigger	Behaviour	Dangers
Thrill-Seeker	Chasing losses	Being down big, but still betting to recoup your losses, or ignoring your budget, or doubling up.	Could lead to increased financial losses and a decline in mental health.
Strategist	Thinking you can beat the house	Betting bigger or coming up with new schemes to try and beat the system.	Added financial pressure, increased feeling of failure or shame and a decline in mental health.
Social Gambler	Cutting off social activities	Prioritizing gambling over school, get-togethers with family, work, or other social interactions.	Could result in fewer in-person friendships, and a decline in mental health.
Escape Gambler	Constantly planning gambling activities	Constantly planning gambling activities in a way that is over-the-top.	Financial losses, declining mental health, distancing from friends and family.

If you’ve ever done any of these, it might be time for you to cool off. Or if you know someone who has done these, it might be time for you to point them in the direction of some responsible gaming or resources.

3 Simple Responsible Gambling Tips Every Player Should Know

Keeping track of it all (and your winning strategies) can be challenging. If you want to stay out in front of your gaming, before it gets into a bad place, consider relying on the following strategies for responsible gambling in Canada, and elsewhere:

Set limits

Money management for gamblers is the top priority. If you can stick to a budget yourself, that’s great. If not, use the tools on the site. They’ll specifically stop you from depositing too much, playing too much, or losing too much. You can preset the limits, so that when you later hit them, you’ll have no choice but to stop.

Stay balanced

Remember that gaming is part of a diet; it’s not the only source of entertainment. If it’s your only hobby, that’s probably a problem. If you enjoy playing from time to time but also work out, belong to various clubs, date, and have a proper social life, then you’re in good shape.

Tap out with cool-off periods

If you’ve crossed the line, then use the cool-off periods to help. This will force the site to lock you out for a period of time – maybe 24 hours, maybe 7 days, maybe longer. It’s uncomfortable, but it’s something that’s going to be very helpful if you ever get to that point where things are in the red zone.

Helpful Responsible Gambling Resources for Canadians

There are a number of tools that can help make sure you’re into responsible gambling in Canada. You don’t have to feel like you’re alone with no assistance. Here are a few places you can turn to for support:

Responsible Gambling

Visit Responsible Gambling for valuable resources and support to help you gamble responsibly.

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Ontario Gaming

Explore Ontario Gaming for tips and guidelines on maintaining control while gaming in Ontario.

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Canadian Gaming Business

Learn more at Canadian Gaming Business for industry insights and responsible gambling practices in Canada.

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Access More Responsible Gambling Resources Here

Regardless of Your Gambling Style: Play Smart, Manage Smarter

Playing at online casinos is a lot of fun. We love to talk about and share the stories of big wins or crazy bad beats. However, sometimes the fun can turn to sorrow, sadness, or worse, all because someone isn’t playing within their limits. Unfortunately, there are too many of these cases. By advocating for responsible gaming and money management, we hope that more and more newcomers to the space set up good habits from the beginning.

As long as you are aware of your gaming boundaries and set limits for yourself, you’re going to put yourself in a good place. You will be able to explore your gambling style in a controlled and mindful way. Be self-aware while you play at safe online gambling sites.