You can do many things to ensure that you gamble safely and remain in control whenever you place a wager online. This applies to casino gaming and sports betting. While we appreciate this broad definition, which encompasses several different markets, strategies and ways to bet, most of the elements we will touch on today apply across the gambling world.

It doesn’t really matter if you play online slots, poker or place horse racing bets, the principles remain largely the same. While they may have slight nuances and manifest in different ways depending on the market you prefer, so long as you take on board some of the tips we’re going to explore today, you should set a solid foundation for yourself when gambling online.

Understand the market

This applies to any bet — it doesn’t matter if you’re placing a bet on the lottery or looking for a market on a football game; it is dangerous territory to bet on any game or competition you do not understand. While you can’t necessarily shift the odds in your favor just by having all the facts available, you can better understand the gaming mechanics, the main issues you could encounter, and most importantly, when to stop playing and when you’ve had enough. 

If you play poker, we recommend reading up extensively on the rules. If you want to play other casino games that do not require the same level of strategy, we recommend checking out sweepstakes casinos, where you can play slots or roulette without putting down any money. 

Gain practical experience at a sweepstakes casino

Once you understand how slots and roulette work, which shouldn’t take too long, sweepstakes casinos can provide the next stage of experience, where platforms offer their own unique currencies that you can only use on their site. These may come in the form of gold coins, tokens or betting credits, but most importantly, you won’t have to spend any cash. 

Sweepstakes have become an integral part of the global industry, where they act as a great alternative in jurisdictions where online casinos are not permitted. Licensing requirements differ — you want to consult trusted sources to ensure you’re playing on a safe and responsible platform. Time2play ranks top sweepstakes casinos in Canada, for example, evaluating each operator based on the quality of each platform, gaming options, site security, licensing and reputation within the iGaming community.

Manage your finances 

You should only gamble with money you can afford to lose. Don't gamble with money set aside for essential household expenditures such as rent or groceries, and always ensure that you set deposit limits to prevent you from depositing any funds over your allocated budget. 

With more casinos offering an array of fresh payment methods, managing your budget remains a pressing matter. Cryptocurrency, which is amid a new bull run in the latter stages of 2024, is becoming a common sight at online casinos. 

Back in the 1990s, Michael Jordan was one of the most famous sportspeople on the planet, and he was renowned for high-rolling late-night blackjack games, even at the height of his career. His disposable income would be much higher than mine or yours, so the budget depends on the individual. 

Ensure you know this figure when you calculate your monthly expenses. This is half the battle and will help you stay in control. 

Time constraints

Set your time limits and deposit limits. Most casinos and sportsbooks have this information on their responsible gambling page, including details and information about how their cooling-off period works or how to set up your account to lock you out after a certain amount of time. 

Given the number of casino games available online and that this number is growing daily, it can be easy to lose track of time as you browse a casino site, especially if you’re looking through a slot gaming library. To remain within your time confines, keep your gaming measured, don’t get carried away and ensure you use the tools available from the casino or sportsbook. 

You can set different time-out periods; some gamblers will opt for a 24-hour cool-off, some for a week and others choose a multiple-month period. Sports betting and casino platforms will also provide you with the option of permanently blocking yourself from their site, but you will often need to consult their customer service to get this put in place. 

Conclusion

Time and deposit limits are the main principles of safe gambling. However, we recommend learning to use responsible gambling tools, such as cooling-off periods and deposit limits that help you manage your gaming. If we were setting up an outdoor workspace or living area, we would take time to prepare, read up on how best to achieve our goal and formulate a plan. The same applies to gambling safely online — preparation is vital.

If you believe you have an issue or know somebody who does, there is help available. Problem gambling can manifest in many ways, but examples include exceeding the time and deposit limits you have set yourself, viewing gambling as a form of income or negatively impact your close relationships. Organizations such as Gamblers Anonymous can direct you to a local support group and assist if you or somebody you know needs help with problem gambling.