The Casino as Addiction: How to Avoid Becoming Addicted?

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You, like most people, spend most of your time in front of the screen of a computer, laptop, or smartphone. These days, gadgets have become our only portal to the outside world, as well as playing casino games. But have you ever thought about how much time you waste in front of the screen playing games? 

Of course, every player is motivated by different thoughts. Some gamble for fun, others are looking for ways to learn to get new skills so that to be able to make a regular income. But gambling has always been addictive. And if you think that there is nothing wrong with spending a few hours per day in a casino app, you are wrong.

So, to avoid problems with addiction, we suggest you apply the approaches that are the same for those addicted to social networks. Besides, following the below steps, you will understand if you have issues with gambling addiction.

Tip #1 – Determine the Amount of Time to Use Your Smartphone

Yes, if you study remotely or your work is directly related to the use of a computer, then, of course, interaction cannot be avoided. But when you’re working in front of your computer from home, it’s easy to miss how you’ve been in front of the monitor all day.

How many of those hours do you actually spend on workflow, and how many on playing games? Being busy does not mean being productive. Do the work that you planned to do, and then do other things.

Tip #2 – Divide Your Time Into 3 Categories: Consumption, Creation, and Communication

After you have allocated a clear time for working in front of the screen, it’s time to think about leisure. Consume, create, and connect — determine which of these you like best.

The main thing is to keep a balance between the time spent with a smartphone and the time without a gadget. Brainstorm and ask yourself what and how you like to do the most. For example, someone likes to replace chatting with talking on the phone.

Tip #3 – Pay Attention to Your Mood When You Are Playing

The more you become aware of the impact of gadgets on your mental state, the better you will be able to control addiction. If the time spent on casino sites makes you feel even more productive and happy, then it’s all right.

If it makes you feel worse, especially if you lose, then it’s important to take action. The question is not how much time you spend in casinos, but how it affects you psychologically.

Tip #4 – Learn to Recognize the First Signs of Stress

When we are under stress, the rational decision-making part of our brain shuts down, and it becomes much harder to resist our impulses. For example, we objectively understand that if we eat a whole pack of chips or spend a few hours on a casino site, we begin to feel disgusted with ourselves. It’s good when you understand what makes you dissatisfied with yourself and control it. Therefore, it is essential to learn to recognize this and always have a list of alternative actions that you can easily distract yourself with.

Tip #5 – Create a To-Do List That Makes You Feel Better

The problem is that the phone is always at our fingertips and in every free time we reach for it by default. To break this habit, you must have a to-do list or hobbies (not only casino games) to devote time to. In addition, when you have free time, there will be more ideas about where to spend it. You can walk, meditate, pray, play an instrument, listen to a podcast, cook, or read a book.

Tip # 6 – Avoid Starting and Ending Your Day with a Smartphone in Hands

Using your phone in the morning will most likely start to distract you from your main goals for the day and lead to a stressful start to the day. Falling asleep with a smartphone in front of your eyes is not recommended, as the bright light of the screen distracts you from sleep. The emotions you experience while playing will not let you fall asleep fast.

Tip #7 – Set Clear Boundaries

It is important to create physical boundaries between you and your smartphone so that when you interact with it, you know that it is the result of a conscious choice. Charge your phone in another room, at least out of reach. Make use of the focusing functions that allow setting limits on the use of certain apps.

Tip #8 – Take Regular Breaks 

Yes, there are many reasons to be grateful for the new technologies in our lives right now. But do not forget that using a computer or smartphone for too long leads to exhaustion. You can set aside time every day for a walk without a smartphone, or deliberately free one evening from using any gadgets. Don’t be afraid of this idea.

Final Words

One of the biggest challenges that lead active mobile gamblers to addiction is permanent access to smartphones with these games. Learn to limit the time you spend with a phone in your hands, and you will protect yourself from gambling addiction.