Gambling is one of those things that can be damaging mentally or financially if you make bad choices. However, there are a few decisions you can make to stay safe and enjoy casino games.
In this article, we are going to give you 10 tips on how to play safely at online casinos. Dominic Andreasson, a Swedish iGaming expert shared his knowledge with us on casino safety and problem gambling behavior. You can read more about Dominic here.
Research the casino
The most important thing to do is to research the casino you are about to play at. If the casino is dishonest or simply careless, your money and personal data are at risk. There are a number of ways you can research a casino. You can go on forums, discuss with fellow players or read third-party casino reviews.
Take advantage of bonus offers
Most online casinos offer sign-up or deposit bonuses to new players and some offer loyalty bonuses or periodical deposit bonuses to existing players. On the following link, you can find a list of casinos that offer casinobonus and accept players from Sweden. Before accepting a bonus always read the terms and conditions though, as some bonuses have strict wagering requirements and/or they might not be suitable for your game of choice.
Control your gambling habits
According to statistics, about 1.6% of the Swedish population has a gambling problem and a further 2-3% are at risk of developing one. Gambling should be entertainment and not a way to make an income. Sometimes it is hard to know the line between the two and people lose control over their gambling habit. In Sweden, there is a helpline available for problem gamblers and their families.
Avoid alcohol while playing
Matching gambling and alcohol is a bad idea. When people are tipsy or drunk they can make rash decisions and take unnecessary risks. This is the reason why Vegas casinos often give out free drinks to patrons. Playing a game of poker while drunk is very risky as others might notice that you are drunk and take advantage of this.
Don’t chase losses
Even those who are not problem gamblers might fall into the trap where they can’t accept losing their money and wager double or more of the lost amount in the hope of getting everything back. This might lead to further losses and should be avoided at all costs.
Stop playing after winning
People might feel that they are on a winning streak and keep wagering only to lose all the money they have just won. Gambling is about chance. If you are on the plus side you should stop playing and be happy with the amount that you have won.
Find games with a low house edge
Some games have lower house edges than others and of course, these are the games where players have the best chance of winning regularly. The lowest house edge games are video poker, baccarat, craps and blackjack. Slots and roulette have a bit higher house edge while the worst odds are offered by lottery-type games.
Learn playing strategy
Learning some basic playing strategy in games like video poker, poker or blackjack can mean the difference between winning and losing. Strategy charts are available online for free for these card games and as they are based on statistics and probability calculations they will give you the best odds at winning.
Use free games
Playing for free might be just as much fun as playing for money but without worrying about your bankroll. A free game is always a safe casino game and you can practice your playing strategy this way so later on you can wager with confidence in real-money games.
