Slots are the most numerous types of games at online casinos. You can usually find thousands of titles with a myriad of dazzling themes, such as ancient Egypt, mythology, sports and crime. The gameplay is fast-paced, and many of the games have auto-spin features or hold-and-win mechanics.
Due to these mechanics and the exciting nature of video slots, it’s easy to get carried away. You can quickly eat through your deposit money at an online casino by playing slots and have nothing to show at the end. I don’t want that to happen to you. To help prevent this, I’ve created a guide on responsible gambling and how to play online slots sensibly below.
How to play online slots responsibly
At the core of responsible slots play lie discipline, self-control and self-awareness. If you lack these three things or need to work on any one of them, I suggest stepping away from online gambling as you may struggle to play responsibly. Regardless, I’ve also listed five things that can help you play sensibly, stay within your means and always prioritize fun.
1. Set deposit limits to control spending
The best online casinos allow you to set deposit limits. Indeed, I’ve often found that many prompt you to set limits after registering an account. I advise doing this as it immediately helps you control your spending. For example, you can set a limit of £25 per month.
Once you set a deposit limit, you can’t go over it within the specified timeframe. You can change it, but there’s usually a 24-hour cooldown period, or the changed limit doesn’t take effect until the next week for instance.
2. Limit yourself to timed gaming sessions
Deposit limits are a great starting point, but you can go one step further and give yourself a time limit too. Some platforms allow you to set reminders to pop up after you’ve been playing for 15 or 30 minutes continuously for instance.
I like to limit my play to no more than 10-15-minute sessions. This doesn’t seem like long, but for slots that’s a lot of gameplay. I usually set a timer on my phone and then log off when it starts beeping at me. By doing this, you can keep your gaming healthy and avoid spending all your deposit money instantly.
3. Use the lowest possible spin values
On most slots, you can spend inordinate amounts per spin — up to £100 in some instances. Don’t do this. If you want to burn through your wallet quickly then that’s the way to go. Otherwise, use the lowest spin value possible — preferably under £0.50. I try and stick to £0.10 or £0.25 per spin. Sure, the winnings are lower, but I get to have more fun and actually enjoy the games too.
4. Don’t be afraid to use responsible gambling tools
Top online casinos offer responsible gambling tools to prevent problem gaming. They are there to help so don’t be afraid to use them. If you are struggling to walk away from a slot game or stop spending money, choosing to employ a self-exclusion period or a timeout can work wonders.
Self-exclusion periods physically lock your account so you can’t even log in. The time period is usually six months or indefinite. Oftentimes, you need to contact customer support to get the account reinstated.
Alternatively, you can set a shorter timeout period of 1-3 months and still access your account at the end of the timeout.
5. Make others aware that you play online slots
If you’re hiding your online slot spending habit, then something is wrong. To avoid this, tell others that you play. It’s not their responsibility to keep you in check, but if they know and spot any negative patterns, they can give you a reality check. As stated though, don’t rely on other people to keep your behaviour under control. You must be able to do this yourself too.
How to pick the best online slots
Choosing the right slots to play is also part of responsible gameplay. I try to imbue myself with as much knowledge as possible when it comes to the games I play by reading info on sites like https://www.online-slot.co.uk so that I know I’m always playing as smartly as possible, as well as controlling my spending. I’ve listed the main things to look for when selecting the best online slots below.
1. Look for slots with a higher Return to Player (RTP)
This is the expected percentage that you can expect to win back when playing slots over a period of time. Simply put, the higher the percentage, the more you are expected to win back. If you want to play sensibly, look for slots with an RTP of 97.00% or higher.
2. Understand the impact volatility has on gameplay
Volatility relates to the frequency and volume of your wins on video slots and other casino games. Low volatility slots typically pay often but in much smaller amounts with fewer big wins, while
high volatility slots payout infrequently but there is more chance of bigger wins.
With this understanding, you can tailor your gaming accordingly. For example, if you want to play sensibly you would pick low-volatility slots with a high RTP. A great example is Bloodsuckers from NetEnt, which is a low-volatility slot that has an above-average RTP of 98.00%.
3. Know your software developers
You must understand that typically, online casinos don’t create the slots themselves. Instead, third-party developers produce the games. Some specialize in TV and movie slots like Doctor Who, Terminator and Jumanji, while others create amazing cartoon-style games.
The style isn’t important though. For responsible play, you’re looking for reputable developers who have their games independently tested for fairness. If they are tested by third-party labs, you know that the random number generator (RNG) algorithms used are truly random and the games aren’t rigged. Top reputable software developers I recommend include:
- NetEnt
- Pragmatic Play
- Play’N GO
- Evolution
- IGT
- Microgaming
- Yggdrasil
- Betsoft
- Playson
4. Stay away from “instant buy” features
Some slots have special instant buy features or gambling features. For example, many Pragmatic Play slots give you the option to instantly purchase free spins or bonus rounds. While this sounds incredibly tempting, 99% of the time they are a waste of money and designed to make the casino more money.
The benefit of free spins and bonus rounds is that when you win them naturally, they give you a big boost in your winnings. If you buy those features, which are typically costly, there is no benefit, and you usually win back less than you spent.
Similarly, some games have a gambling feature where you can gamble your winnings on a 50/50 card game. Don’t do it! Just take your winnings instead.
When the fun stops, stop the slots from spinning – Know your limits
I hope you can take something positive from this article to help your online slotting ventures, but I want everyone to stay safe, play responsibly and know their limits. It’s quite easy to get carried away with online gambling, especially when the gameplay is fast-paced and money is involved.
This is why it’s important to understand how to stay in control and play smart. Whether that’s by setting deposit limits and managing your money effectively, or by choosing the right games to play.
