Responsible Gambling Tools (And How They Work)

What Does It Mean to Gamble Responsibly?

Responsible gambling, in essence, is the practice of engaging in betting activities while maintaining control over your actions and ensuring that gambling remains an enjoyable and entertaining pastime.

Responsible gambling involves understanding the risks involved, setting limits, and utilizing tools that promote responsible behaviour.

Are Gambling Tools Obligatory for Sportsbooks?

One of the biggest reasons we recommend you always stick to regulated sportsbooks (in Canada, that means going for those with an iGaming Ontario license) is precisely due to their obligations when it comes to responsible gambling.

Between making it clear that gambling can lead to addiction and providing enough responsible gambling tools to help prevent and recognize it on time, legal sportsbooks are the best place to be placing your wagers.

That said, the inclusion of different responsible gambling tools does vary among sportsbooks, and not all those we’ll cover below will exist on all sportsbooks in the same way.

For example, bet365 has Reality Checks (which we’ll cover in detail below), while Betano gives easy access to software that can protect minors from betting.

These sportsbooks ensure you’re betting responsibly and have enough tools to stay on the right path:

Now let’s explore some of these and see how you can use them to stay safe while betting.

Different Responsible Gambling Tools & Their Purpose

Some of the responsible gambling tools you’ll be able to locate in Canadian sportsbooks are:

Deposit and loss limits

By setting daily, weekly, or monthly deposit/loss limits, you can control the amount of money you spend on gambling.

These limits help prevent excessive spending, promote responsible bankroll management, and maintain a healthy balance between gambling and personal finances.

What’s more, most sportsbooks won’t let you increase these limits that easily. It will take between 24 and 72 hours for the new limits to be set, giving you enough time to get help if you need it.

How to use deposit limits:

To set deposit limits, you’ll usually have to go to your account and locate the “Limits” button. Follow the instructions provided, and choose the desired limits that suit your gambling budget and financial situation.

The “Deposit” tab refers to deposit limits, while the “Gambling” tab lets you set loss and transaction limits.

Time Limits and Session Reminders (Reality Checks)

Users can set limits on the amount of time they spend gambling and receive reminders to take breaks during their betting sessions. This tool helps prevent excessive gambling, encourages balanced gameplay, and ensures individuals have time for other important aspects of their lives.

How to use it time limits:

Access the responsible gambling settings and locate the “Time limits and session reminders” or “Reality checks” option. Set the duration for your gambling sessions and choose the frequency of reminders that best suits your habits.

Self-Exclusion

This tool allows you to restrict or exclude yourself from accessing gambling websites or participating in online gambling activities for a predetermined period.

It is designed to help individuals who feel they have a gambling problem by providing a tool to limit their own access to gambling platforms and reduce the potential harm caused by excessive gambling.

How to use self-exclusion:

On most sportsbooks, you’ll be able to locate the self-exclusion tool simply by visiting your account. Then choose whether you want to exclude yourself for a while or permanently.

Self-Assessment Tests

Gambling addiction tests, also known as self-assessment tests or self tests, are designed to evaluate an individual’s gambling behaviour and measure their risk of developing a gambling addiction.

These tests typically consist of a series of questions that delve into various aspects of gambling habits, attitudes, and consequences.

The responses you provide can help generate an assessment of your gambling behaviour and indicate whether further action or support may be necessary.

How to use a self-assessment test:

Navigate to the responsible gambling section of the sportsbook you’re at. You should be able to easily locate the self-assessment test.

Once you decide to do it, we encourage you to always be honest with the answers, as this can help identify problem gambling and prevent gambling addiction.

Responsible Gambling Information and Resources

Finally, sportsbooks often provide access to valuable information and resources related to responsible gambling.

These resources include educational materials and contact details for helplines or support organizations. Make use of these resources to enhance your understanding of responsible gambling practices and seek assistance if needed.

The Importance of Identity (and Age) Verification

To ensure a safe gambling environment, sportsbooks also implement strict age and identity verification measures. These measures are put in place to prevent underage gambling and ensure that individuals are who they claim to be.

As we recently wrote, minors are more prone to developing gambling problems, so having a KYC (Know Your Customer) process is an additional step to help promote responsible gambling.

Additional Responsible Gambling Practices

Several other things encourage responsible gambling, and you should also look for those when accessing different sportsbooks and casinos:

• “Gamble Responsibly” Messaging: Pay attention to the responsible gambling messaging displayed on the sportsbook platform. These messages often remind users to gamble responsibly and provide access to responsible gambling tools and resources.
• Collaboration with Responsible Gambling Organizations: It is worth noting that major sportsbooks have taken the initiative to collaborate with responsible gambling organizations. Many operators, such as bet365, have committed to donating a portion of their profits towards promoting responsible gambling and supporting initiatives that address problem gambling. This commitment demonstrates their dedication to fostering a safe and responsible gambling environment.

How to Stay Safe While Gambling: Conclusion

In conclusion, responsible gambling tools are essential for sportsbooks to promote a safe and enjoyable betting experience.

By offering deposit limits, time limits, reality checks, self-exclusion, and access to responsible gambling information and resources, sportsbooks empower their users to maintain control over their gambling activities.

We urge all individuals engaging in gambling to take advantage of these tools and make responsible gambling a priority.

Set limits, take breaks, and utilize the resources available to you. Always gamble responsibly and seek help if you feel that your gambling habits are becoming problematic.

Together, we can create a gambling environment that prioritizes the well-being of individuals and ensures that betting remains an enjoyable and safe form of entertainment.