Responsible Gambling 

Gambling should be about entertainment and not just about winning; it’s about creating memorable experiences in a safe space. Our approach to responsible gambling is multifaceted and focuses on ensuring that the casinos we rate and recommend adhere to high standards of fairness and security.

SiGMA’s Commitment to Responsible Gambling 

At SiGMA, we believe that gambling should always be fun and safe, and that starts with responsible gambling. We closely examine whether operators adhere to responsible gambling practices and partner with those that provide quality customer service, payout speed, and user experience. 

Reputable authorities license the online casinos we recommend. Through our thorough research, we verify that they stick to the highest fair play standards and player protection. 

What Is Responsible Gambling? 

In a nutshell, responsible gambling is about wagering in a controlled way. It helps support a player’s mental and financial health. To gamble responsibly, you need to: 

• Understand the risks  
• Set personal limits  
• Know when to stop 
• Stay in control of how much time and money you spend on betting or gaming 

Online gambling and betting sites should take steps to reduce the potential harm gambling can cause to individuals and society. This includes promoting responsible gambling practices and helping players understand how to avoid debt and addiction. Also, they should offer cool-off periods and self-exclusion options to support those who may be struggling.  

How To Practice Responsible Gambling 

First of all, avoid placing bets or wagers if you’re upset, financially strained, or dealing with any stress. Studies have shown that people who gamble while under pressure are more susceptible to becoming addicted. Also, avoid drinking alcohol while gambling. 

Next, gambling is a poor way to accumulate money for a trip, stay on top of expenses, or get rid of debt. Consider it as any other leisure activity that requires payment and a way to connect with people who share the same interests. 

To gamble responsibly online, we encourage players to: 

• Set a budget and never borrow or use money you can’t afford to lose. 
• Take advantage of responsible gambling tools available on online gambling platforms, such as self-assessment tests, deposit and time limits, and reality checks. 
• Avoid chasing potential losses. 
• Take breaks and balance gaming at an online casino with other activities. 
• Learn to recognize the gambling addiction warning signs. 

How To Use Responsible Gambling Tools 

Various responsible gambling tools can help you keep your gambling habits in check and can help you recognize problematic behavior, protect you from excessive gambling, and more.  

The following types of responsible gambling tools are available: 

Self-Exclusion Tips 

If you think that might not be enough, some countries offer national self-exclusion programs that restrict access to all licensed gambling websites. But if you don’t have access to such programs, you can resort to gambling-blocking software like GamBlock or BetBlocker if the temptation proves too overwhelming. 

Once you set a self-exclusion limit, there’s no change of mind until the set time elapses. If an online betting or gambling platform doesn’t seem to offer a self-exclusion option, contact customer support for activation.  

As indicated, many platforms offer only lengthy self-exclusion periods. If you believe you don’t need such a long break, you may try a cool-off period instead. These typically range from a day to a few or several weeks rather than years. 

Note that self-exclusion is voluntary. It means that you cannot sign up someone else, even if you know they’re struggling with a gambling problem. Only a person with a gambling disorder can agree to self-exclusion. 

Should you have an issue with self exclusion from a casino or sports betting site not working correctly, we urge you to report it on our ADR complaints portal. Here we are licensed to approach casinos with your issues to help resolve them. It is important that you include all of the necessary evidence to support your complaint. Our team will then work with you to help you resolve the issue – something that is especially important for self exclusion.      

How To Spot Signs of Gambling Addiction 

Gambling addiction can sneak up on anyone. It’s essential to understand that the addiction signs can vary from person to person. Those affected may face financial problems, emotional distress, legal trouble, and even damaged relationships and social isolation. 

So, recognizing and addressing the following gambling addiction signs early is critical: 

• Thinking about past games in your head or obsessively planning how you’ll play the next one 
• Urge to play longer than you initially intended and inability to stop 
• Feeling down or restless when you aren’t gambling 
• Denying that you have a gambling problem 
• Intense guilt when you try and fail to stop gambling 
• Not paying bills and making up where money is going to hide gambling addiction 
• Poor work performance due to gambling obsession 

Where To Get Help 

If you wonder where to get help, there are many national and international organizations dedicated to supporting people affected by gambling disorders. Their efforts often focus on educating the public about responsible gambling, offering useful resources, and providing training programs. These companies may collaborate with policymakers, treatment providers, public health organizations, and stakeholders. 

Here are some of the most successful responsible gambling organizations.