Responsible gaming is a crucial part of keeping gaming safe and enjoyable for everyone. While here at Cool Old Games, we advocate for gambling as a form of entertainment only, for some players, it can develop into a harmful habit if not approached responsibly.
According to estimates from the National Council on Problem Gambling:
- Around 2 million adults in the United States meet the criteria for severe gambling problems.
- Another 4 to 6 million experience mild to moderate gambling issues.
The numbers above confirm why promoting responsible gaming is so important.
What is Responsible Gaming?
Responsible gaming means maintaining control over how much time and money is spent on gaming, understanding the risks involved, and recognizing when it’s time to stop.
By following simple guidelines, you can ensure that gaming remains a form of entertainment, instead of a source of problems. This guide aims to help our visitors (and anyone else who reads it) to play responsibly and direct them to the right services for professional help.
How to Recognize If There Is a Problem?
Sometimes it might be hard to see yourself if there is a problem. Emotions or a lack of information can cloud your judgment. It is important to remain objective. If any of the below statements are true for you, there is a chance you have a gambling problem, and you should seek help as soon as possible:
- I often game longer or spend more money than I originally planned.
- I try to win back money after losing (chasing losses).
- I feel stressed, anxious, or guilty about my gambling.
- I borrow money, use savings meant for bills, or sell possessions to continue gambling.
- I hide or lie about my gambling habits from friends or family.
Additionally, we recommend that you fill out the 20 Questions by Gamblers Anonymous (the results remain completely confidential). The results of this questionnaire will make it clear to you if there is you have a gambling problem, and to what extent. Another option is this Self-Quiz.
How to Play Responsibly: Essential Tips
1. Understand the Games You are Playing
When playing casino games, the odds are always against you. In the long-term, mathematically, you are supposed to lose. While you can apply strategies that increase your chances of winning, financially, casino gambling is never a smart choice.
It is very important that you understand the following:
House Edge
The built-in mathematical advantage that the casino has over the player, ensuring that, over the long term, the casino will make a profit.
Example: If a game has a 5% house edge, the casino expects to keep $5 for every $100 wagered over time.
Understanding the house edge helps you to set realistic expectations.
RTP (Return to Player)
The percentage of all wagered money that a game is expected to pay back to players over time.
Example: If a slot has 96% RTP, players collectively receive about $96 back for every $100 bet in the long run.
Knowing the RTP helps you understand that even high-RTP games still involve losses.
Volatility
A measure of how often and how big the wins occur, indicating the risk level of the game.
Example: A low-volatility slot might give small wins frequently, while a high-volatility slot may give many $0 spins but occasionally pays out relatively large.
Understanding volatility helps you choose games that match your risk tolerance and budget, avoiding large swings that you cannot afford.
Differences per Game (type)
Not all games are equal. The numbers vary by casino game and can even differ by operator or software provider.
| Game Type | House Edge | RTP |
|---|---|---|
| Slots | ~2% to 10% (some higher) | ~90% to 98% |
| Blackjack | ~0.5% to 2% (with optimal strategy) | ~98% to 99.5% |
| Roulette | ~2.7% (European) to 5.26% (American) | ~94.7% to 97.3% |
| Baccarat | ~1.06% (Banker) to 1.24% (Player) | ~85.6% to 98.9% |
| Craps | ~0% to 16.7% depending on bet | ~83.3% to 100% depending on bet |
| Video Poker | ~0.5% to 5% (varies by paytable & strategy) | ~95% to 99.5% |
Naturally, that brings us to the second tip below:
2. Threat Gambling as Entertainment Only
Gambling should always be viewed as purely entertainment, not as a way to make money or solve financial problems. As explained previously, the outcome of casino games is uncertain, and losses are guaranteed in the long-term.
We recommend that players approach gambling in the same way they would approach other leisure activities, such as going to the movies or attending a sporting event. When it no longer feels like having fun, take a break or quit indefinitely.
3. Set Limits – Money and Time
We recommend that you set two types of limits:
Firstly, set monetary limits. You should only gamble with money that you can afford to lose. Do not play with borrowed money or money that belongs to others, including funds from credit cards or loans. Exercise discipline and self-control by sticking to your pre-determined budget at all costs.
Secondly, set time limits. It is easy to get carried away while gaming. Playing excessively could jeopardize health, work, and relationships.
4. Only Play in a Clear State of Mind
Gambling should only be done when you have peace of mind. Do not play when:
- Under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or medicines that can cloud your judgment.
- You are feeling angry, sad, depressed, or any other negative feeling.
If you don’t follow these rules, you risk doing things you wouldn’t normally do, resulting in going over your limits.
5. Never Chase Losses
After a losing session, you might get frustrated and instinctively want to recoup your losses by gambling more. However, this would be an emotional decision and likely make you go over your allocated budget.
We highly recommend that you take a break after a big loss. As soon as you feel frustrated or anxious, stop! This is a sign that gambling is no longer entertaining for you.
Also, remember: the odds always remain the same, and you are just as likely to lose again. Don’t think you HAVE to win/get lucky after losing for an extended period of time.
6. Looking for Extra Safety? Use Responsible Gaming Tools
If you want an additional layer of protection, most gambling platforms provide responsible gaming tools that help you stay within your limits.
- Limits: Many gambling sites allow you to set time, deposit, wagering, and net loss limits. This helps prevent impulsive deposits when emotions start to take over and overplaying.
- Self-Exclusion: Another thing these sites tend to offer is self-exclusion features. This option allows you to temporarily or permanently block yourself from accessing a gambling site if you feel you can’t control yourself and need a break.
- Blocking Tools: Lastyle, there are third-party blocking tools that work across multiple platforms. Tools such as BetBlocker (free) and Gamban can prevent access to gambling websites entirely.
Get Help – Resources for the United States
In some cases, setting rules for yourself and using responsible gambling tools might not have been enough. Or you learned responsible gaming practices too late.
In those cases, there are multiple organizations you can contact (completely anonymously) for support, guidance, and professional help. Below you can find an overview of the resources available to players in the United States, as well as a selection of other English-speaking countries.
National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG)
A United States nonprofit that provides education, resources, and confidential support for people affected by problem gambling. They also operate the National Problem Gambling Helpline™ and can connect you with local treatment services.
- Website: https://www.ncpgambling.org/
- Call: 1-800-MY-RESET
- Text: 800GAM
Gamblers Anonymous (GA)
A peer-support focused organization where individuals struggling with gambling can attend meetings and share experiences in a confidential, supportive environment. You can participate in their 12-step recovery program, and they also offer anonymous hotlines per state.
- Website: https://gamblersanonymous.org/
- Phone number: (909) 931-9056
- Email: isomain@gamblersanonymous.org
Evive (formerly GamTalk)
An online support community where you can talk anonymously with others experiencing gambling-related problems. You’ll find moderated forums, resources, and access to trained support staff.
- Website: https://www.getevive.com/gamtalk
1-800-Gambler Helpline
A free, confidential helpline available 24/7 that connects you with trained counselors who can provide immediate support and referrals to treatment and support services. You’ll get tailored advice based on the state you’re living in. They also offer a live chat option.
- Website: https://www.1800gambler.net/
- Call: 1-800-GAMBLER
- Text: 800GAM
- Email: PGHNWV@firstchoiceservices.org
Rest of World
| Country | Resource | Info |
|---|---|---|
| Global | GamblingTherapy.org | Emotional support and practical advice |
| Canada | Responsible Gambling Council | Educational hub and help resources for Canadians |
| United Kingdom | GamCare | Confidential support and treatment services |
| Australia | GambleAware | Counseling, education, and community support |
| New Zealand | Gambling Helpline | Confidential 24/7 support counseling |
*The above services are all free of charge.
COG’s Commitment to Responsible Gaming
While CoolOldGames.com is primarily focused on a free-to-play experience, responsible gaming still applies. This is why:
- Playing games, in general, can be addictive. Affect the player’s mental state and relationships.
- After playing for free on CoolOldGames.com or reading our recommendations, players might decide to play for real money, either online or in a land-based casino. Therefore, it is essential that we inform players of the risks beforehand.
At Cool Old Games, we strive to keep visitors informed of the risks involved with excessive gaming and gambling. We do this by adding warnings, reminders, and help resources to certain types of pages. We will also always position gambling games as a form of entertainment, not a way of making money. However, if you feel like we could do better or have any suggestions, feel free to contact us.
Remember that you are not alone; support is always available. It is never too late to ask for help!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can free casino games lead to real gambling problems?
Free casino games can help players learn how games work and maintain self-control. However, they may also create bad habits that could carry over to real gambling. You should always treat gambling as entertainment and remain aware of your limits, even when playing for free.
What to do if I suspect one of my loved ones has a gambling problem?
Talk openly without judgment and encourage them to seek help. For example, by joining a support group, getting anonymous counselling, or using other professional services. Keep in mind that this process can take time.
If you are struggling with the situation yourself, 1-800-GAMBLER offers tailored counselling services for loved ones.
Is gambling addiction a real condition?
Yes, a gambling disorder is officially recognized as a behavioral addiction and is classified in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) under “Substance-Related and Addictive Disorders”.
Specialized professional support is available, free of charge, and there is no shame in requesting this support.
How to keep my child from gambling online?
On CoolOldGames.com, it is explicitly stated that the website (and gambling in general) is only for those 18 years and older. Or the legal age in their jurisdiction. However, we can not control if someone below that age visits our website, as we can’t know an individual visitor’s age.
We recommend that parents take proactive steps to prevent their children from accessing gambling-related websites, for example, by only allowing supervised browsing time for younger children and keeping an eye on their browser history. To be extra safe, parents can consider parental control tools such as Kidlogger, Qustodio, CyberPatrol, and NetNanny.