As of June 15, Indiana casinos have resumed operation and online gaming, continuing an expanded gaming market for casinos that began last year. VGTs for Indiana is excited by the possibility of including small business owners in the gaming landscape with video gaming terminals (VGTs) and giving them a much needed revenue stream along with a boost for local communities.
VGTs offer a low minimum bet and payout at a much higher percentage than casino slot machines. But with all gaming, moderation is key to responsible gambling. Here are a few tips to help you keep gaming fun and responsible:
Tip One: Play for Fun
Games are supposed to be fun—that’s why it’s human nature to be drawn to them. They can break up the monotony of everyday life and distract you from other responsibilities.
However, playing games—especially games where money is involved—always should be looked at as a form of entertainment and not a way to earn money.
Tip Two: Set Limits
Before walking into a situation in which you will be engaging in gaming, set a limit for yourself. Determine how much money you will spend and how you will know when it’s time to walk away from the game.
Decide how much money you are comfortable losing before calling it a day. To ensure you don’t blow through a winning streak, set a limit to the amount of time you want to spend playing.
Whether you limit your money, losses or time, be sure to stick with the limit you set for yourself.
Tip Three: Don’t Play on What You Don’t Have
Since playing should be looked at as a form of entertainment and not a way to turn a profit, make sure you’re not borrowing money in order to play, thinking you will earn it back and then some by playing more. Only use money or assets that are in your pocket and you are willing to part with if necessary.
Tip Four: Know Why You’re Playing
Note the times you are most likely to spend money on gaming and make sure you are not using it to mask other feelings.
If you notice you most want to play when you are feeling anxious, rejected or any other negative emotion, it is possible that you are using gaming as a way to mask those feelings.
Tip Five: Expect to Lose
Sure, lucky streaks can happen and some people can walk away with a great deal more money than they walked in with. However, it’s important to be realistic about the odds of winning right from the start.
If you walk in knowing your odds are low to get a big win, you will be able to have fun playing without the pressure of winning.
Tip Six: Make Sure Your Life Is Balanced
When looking at the ways you like to have fun or release some of the stress of your day, make sure that gaming is not your only outlet for enjoyment.
Gaming is great in moderation, yes, but if it is your one and only source of entertainment, you might want to think about diversifying your interests. Look into hobbies and pastimes that are just as fun but easier on your budget.
Tip Seven: Educate Yourself
Make sure you educate yourself about the dangers of problem gambling and know the signs that a problem is happening in case you begin to exhibit them. Problem gambling is often a hidden affliction, so family and friends may not be aware enough to talk to you or intervene if you are struggling with it.
Educate yourself on problem signs and know that it is a 100 percent treatable issue. If you find yourself exhibiting signs of problem gambling, know where you can find help to get your life back on track.
Being responsible is the key to making sure that your good time doesn’t turn ugly in a hurry. Play all games responsibly and make sure you aren’t taking unnecessary risks in the name of entertainment.
After all, your health and happiness aren’t always worth the gamble.