Gamble Responsibly this Christmas: Tips for Canadian Online Casino Players

Christmas is a time for giving, spending time with your loved ones, and enjoying some well-deserved rest. While this can also be the perfect time for a spot of online gambling, don’t let the festive spirit negatively impact on your otherwise clear sense of judgement.

Avoiding Seasonal Temptations

The festive season is the perfect time for entertaining family and friends, cooking up a storm in the kitchen, and relaxing with a nice bottle of bubbly. However, with relaxation comes a carefree attitude, and for some Canadian online casino players this can be detrimental to their bankroll. Suddenly they believe they’re invincible and start betting on any old hand with the attitude of “Christmas comes but once a year…”. But as we all know, in the cold light of day, that doesn’t mean your luck is just going to change overnight.

Another seasonal temptation which I have found to be a major cause of impaired judgement is alcohol. At Christmas time we tend to afford ourselves a variety of tipples with the laissez-faire attitude of “well, it is Christmas after all…”. But again, this can have a serious effect on the way you gamble and create cashflow problems. You should never gamble under the influence of drink or drugs as not only is your judgement impaired and you may suffer significant losses, but it can also lead to a severe decline in your mental health and well-being.

What Tips Do Experts Suggest When Playing in the Christmas Season?

There are several tips that we advise for safeguarding yourself against the perils of Christmas time gambling. Check out the list below:

• Never gamble whilst under the influence of alcohol or drugs

• Establish a firm budget for the Christmas season separate to your normal outgoings

• Use protection tools to control your spending e.g., deposit, wager, or session limits

• Celebrate your wins by walking away, don’t believe you’re invincible

• Never chase losses, you won’t catch them, walk away and play another day

• Only play short sessions, make time for fun with the family or time-out with friends

• Try not to spend the Christmas season alone; surround yourself with friends and family

Establish a Financial Budget

Canadian online casino players must remember that gambling is a form of entertainment and not a guaranteed source of income. Establishing a budget for any holiday season gambling activities is key to maintaining a healthy balance between your favourite past-time, and time spent doing other things with the family and friends. Here are some tips to consider:

• Set aside a pot of funds for your gambling separate to that needed for the household.

• Only ever gamble with what you can afford; never gamble with other people’s money.

• Claim the online casino bonus if it gets you extra funds or spins to extend your budget.

• Restrict your gambling activities by utilising deposit/wager limits on your casino account.

• Never chase losses, be prepared to walk away, and celebrate wins away from the table.

Allocate Quality Time for Your Loved Ones

Gambling is a form of entertainment and should be fun, not soul-destroying. As with most hobbies and activities, the most pleasure can be found from short bursts. When you find yourself doing stuff day in, day out, it can quickly become a chore – a habit that’s hard to break. Christmas is about celebrating and spending time with your loved ones. Make sure you allocate special quality time for them and rejoice in the seasonal festivities.

Don’t Pursue Losses

Chasing losses is an activity that most Canadian players will be familiar with and, I’m in no doubt, have succumbed to at some point or another in their gambling lifetime. I too, can sadly admit that I’ve been a victim of this time-wasting exercise. Sometimes we just have to acknowledge, it’s just not our day and walk away. 

Remember:

• Never chase losses, walk away, take time-out, and return another day

• Chasing losses can spiral out of control, costing you more in the long run

• Chasing losses can have a detrimental effect on both your bankroll and mental health

Making Use of Safer Gambling Resources

Many of the top online Canadian casinos will offer their players protection tools to help control their spending habits and encourage safer gambling. Take a look at the different tools available and learn how to use them to your advantage:

Safer Gambling Tool	How to Use it
Deposit Limit	Set the maximum amount of money you can deposit in a day, a week, or a month.
Wager Limit	Set the maximum amount of money you can wager in a day, a week, or a month.
Loss Limit	Set the maximum amount you can afford to lose in a day, a week, or a month.
Session Limit	Set the amount of time you can play for in any one session.
Reality Check	Set notifications to remind you how long you’ve been playing for.
Play Breaks	Set breaks from 15 minutes up to 3 hours during which time you cannot deposit or play.
Time Out	You can request a time out from your gambling, typically from 24 hours up to 6 weeks.
Self-Exclusion	Prevent yourself from online gambling, typically from 6 months up to 5 years or more.

Seek Assistance and Engage with Communities

Being alone at Christmas is never a good thing but combine that with online gambling and it could be a recipe for disaster. Boredom, sadness, and loneliness are all common factors which can lead to problem gambling. But help is out there and no-one needs to feel alone:

• Responsible Gambling Council – provides resources, tips and advice for safer gambling.

• ConnexOntario – provides free and confidential health services, chat, email or resources.

• GAMSTOP – prevents you from using gambling websites and apps run by companies licensed in Great Britain.

• Gambling Therapy – free, global online service offering practical advice and emotional support to anyone affected by gambling.

• GamTalk – share your experiences with someone online, connect with people who have been through this before.

• RecoverMe App – a free mobile app that uses cognitive behavioural therapy, mindfulness, and different support tools to help manage urges and prevent lapses in your gambling.

Spin the Reels Safely This Christmas

Christmas is a time for reflection, celebration, and time with loved ones. There’s no harm in spinning a few reels on the slots or playing a quick hand of poker after dinner, but remember to gamble safely. Take our tips on board, get help if you need it, and limit your time online.