Online Casino in India is a tale as old as the Indian history itself. Many ancient manuscripts and Hindu mythologies have instances where the royals indulge themselves in rolling of a dice and expecting the desired result.
Through time, it has been passed down from generations to generations, evolving into different forms to ultimately give us the playing options that we have today. However, while India has undoubtedly got a long-standing relationship with online casino, the concept of responsible gaming is still new. And in all honesty, it is essential in India where we have so many ways to wager our money.
Whether it is poker, rummy, or casino slots, responsible gaming in India is an edict that every casino enthusiast should follow. Irrespective of your expertise in the game or how lucky you may be, you can never go wrong by playing responsibly.
You see, casual casino playing is supposed to be a fun experience where you can escape the humdrum routine of your daily life. But at the same time, it can also lead you down a dark path where you may lose the very touch of reality.
Online or offline - Still a Fine Line
There is a fine line that separates casual playing from gaming addiction - it doesn’t matter whether it is physical casinos or casinos online. It is an issue prevalent in many parts of the world and consequently, the last couple of decades have seen a lot of effort put into raising the awareness of responsible gaming in casino-regulated countries. Non-profit organisations and institutions are addressing this very concern so that patrons can enjoy the casino experience in the way it is meant to be.
But what about a country like India where online casino still comes under a grey area? We still see a problem with playing mainly on account of the addiction it leads to. How can customers experience the thrill of wagering money responsibly and winning, without sliding to the dark side of the roulette wheel?
The answer lies in choosing a reliable casino and to a great extent, exercising self-discipline. In this aspect, the best online casino is not the one with the most promotions, but with some completely other factors as you will see.
How to Play Responsibly in India?
One good thing about the casino scene in India is there are a lot of options available to the audience. Some of the leading operators from the European markets are concentrating on the Indian market in a bid to win new customers.
These operators have been around for quite some time and are backed by an immaculate reputation and licenses issued by the leading authorities like the Malta Gaming Authority and the UK Casino Commission.
The reason why we mention these licenses is that they require the online casino to educate and emphasize the users about gaming responsibly. From comprehensive texts and information on identifying gaming addiction, to dealing with it and implementing self-checks, limits, and timeouts in the player account, these casinos have truly gone out of their way to create a safe, secure atmosphere for Indian patrons.
For instance, Leovegas is one of the top-rated online casinos that has not only got a dedicated site for Indian users, but has also got trained support staff to address this issue. With that, Leovegas has also got self-assessment tests, limit settings, and a separate website just for problematic playing.
Hence, it is prudent to choose a reputed casino online that is big on these ethics. Even if you were to find yourself losing control, you could quickly steer the wheel in the right direction with some help from the operator itself. This support from the operators is a new change that has arisen in the years within the online casino industry, which many says pointing to a more sustainable landscape for both the customers and the marketing landscape.
How to Identify if You have a Problem with Gaming?
It is hard to admit that you have a problem with gaming. After all, it is not a pleasant experience to face the harsh truth about yourself. However, it is essential to realise that admitting that the problem is the first step towards recovery.
Even though online operators have got a litany of options in place to ensure that their customers are playing responsibly, it is up to the user at the end of the day to follow the principles. This requires an elevated sense of self-awareness and a willingness to be responsible.
With that in mind, here are a few questions you can ask yourself to assess whether you are addicted to gaming:
- How easy is it for you to lose track of time while playing?
- Do you spend a lot of time gaming?
- Are you in the habit of chasing your losses after you have lost money?
- Do you borrow money/sell your precious belongings to satiate your playing habit?
- Are you in debt because of playing?
- Does playing take a lot of your time in day-to-day life?
- Has gaming caused you to deal with depression, anxiety, and health problems?
- Have you ever skipped work/important commitments, just to play?
- Have people around you told you that you have a problem with gaming?
- Do you tend to play until you lose all the money?
- Do you play compulsively?
- Are you honest with your friends and family about your playing habits?
- Has the size of your stake increased with time?
- Do you play with money intended for other purposes - house rent, loan, groceries, et cetera?
- Lastly, do you feel guilty about your playing habits?
If you have answered yes to most of these questions, then you may very well have a problem with gaming addiction. Most of the times, people resort to playing in order to improve their mood or escape the problems in their life. Some look at playing as a way to make money, which definitely should not be the case. You have to be honest with yourself and must be willing to fight this addiction.
How to Overcome Gaming Addiction in India?
Contrary to popular belief, there is help for those addicted to playing casino in India. From online support organisations to family and friends, there are a plethora of options that people can explore and kick the habit back to the curb.
- Right off the bat, if you believe that you have a problem with casino, first reach out to your family and close ones. By bringing them into the loop, you will be accountable to them and it will also impart a certain level of control on your gaming habits. Do not be hesitant to discuss the issue with them, after all, the best way they can help you is by fully understanding the depth of your problem.
- The next step for you would be to contact the support of the online casinos you play at and discuss the issue with them. As mentioned before, these are trained professionals who specialise in addressing responsible gaming to its core. They can implement self-exclusion measures and time-outs so that you can take a break from online casinos and work on yourself.
- Get in touch with online forums like Gaming Therapy and Players Anonymous - the two dedicated portals for gaming addiction. You can discuss your problems with other members and experts under complete anonymity, while following the guidelines laid down by them.
- If you believe that gaming addiction is way too big a problem for you, then you may also want to visit a psychologist to address the genesis of this problem.
But above all else, you will need the will to admit that you have a problem and that desire to fight back. Otherwise, it will be an exercise in futility, no matter how much you try. However, you can entirely avoid going down this path altogether if you remember to play responsibly. There are a few principles that you can follow while playing with rupees online in India:
- Only play
- what you can afford to lose
- Always have a playing strategy in hand
- Never chase your losses
- Track your online casino habits
- Be self-aware
- Lastly, keep others informed of what you’re doing
Remember: Playing is Not a Way to Make Money!
The stigma behind playing lies in its relation to addiction and all the problems that come with it. One thing to realise here is playing casino should not be perceived as a way to make money - this is the entrance to the rabbit hole.
Instead, look at it in the way it is meant to be - a fun, casual experience where you can win money with some ingenuity and luck. The key to play responsibly is by being aware of your habits at all times. If you ever find yourself on edge, take a timeout and recollect your thoughts. Good luck!
Disclaimer: This is a promotional story by Blue Iris Media Ltd and the liability for the same solely rests with them.