Online gambling can be fun, and if you’re lucky, you may walk away a big winner. The allure of winning the big jackpot is what makes gambling so appealing, but that pursuit of the next big win can quickly get out of hand if you aren’t careful. 

If you want to give online gambling a try, here are some tips for playing smartly and responsibly.

1. Set a Budget and Manage Your Bankroll Carefully

The first and most important thing you can do to gamble smartly is to set a budget. Remember that while there’s a chance you may win big, there’s an even greater chance that you’ll walk away empty handed. 

Make sure that your budget only includes money that you can afford to lose. Never gamble with money you need to pay bills or feed your family. 

Once you’ve set a realistic budget, it’s essential to manage your bankroll (the money you can gamble with) carefully. When you run out of funds, that’s it – you’re done for the night/day/month, etc.

The bottom line is to only gamble with money you can afford to lose and avoid dipping into your money for living expenses.

2. Play at a Reputable, Licensed Casino

Gambling online can be risky. If you aren’t careful, you could wind up giving your money away or your personal information to scammers.

Whether you’re playing slots, blackjack, baccarat or poker, it’s essential to make sure that you’re gambling at a reputable, licensed casino.

UK players can check the casino’s website to see if the Gambling Commission licenses them. All casinos that are licensed by this regulatory body must display their license number on their website. 

Another way to see if a casino is reputable is to check online reviews. Keep in mind that casinos can pay for reviews (even though they shouldn’t), so check more than one source when reading feedback from users.

Check to see if people have issues with payouts, too. Even if a casino is licensed correctly, they may make it difficult to make withdrawals.

3. Choose the Right Games

When playing at an online casino, it’s important to remember that some games are more advantageous than others. For example, while online slots are better than in-casino slots, it’s still generally better to stick to games that won’t eat through your bankroll quickly.

Some of the best games to stick to are:

• Craps
• Blackjack
• Baccarat
• Video poker

Sure, games like blackjack have higher wagering requirements, but they also have a higher overall RTP (return to player) compared to slots and some other casino games.

4. Look for Low or No Minimum Deposit Casinos

Another way to gamble smartly is to choose low or no minimum deposit casinos. Some casinos have higher minimum deposits, so you’re putting more of your money at risk. With a low or no minimum deposit casino, you can start playing right away and without holding too much of your money in your casino account.

Finding a good minimum deposit casino isn’t always easy. Check out reviews from players and casino experts to see which ones are the best.

5. Start with Free Games

The biggest issue for newbie gamblers is that they start playing games they’re really not familiar with or haven’t ever played. Because they don’t have enough experience, they wind up going through their bankroll quickly and without much to show for it. Not only can that be discouraging, but it can also tempt you to start playing with money you really can’t afford to lose.

If you’re playing any game that requires skill (essentially anything other than slots and roulette), choose ones that allow you to play for free. 

Play for free until you get the hang of the rules and are comfortable with gameplay. Then, read up on strategies and see if you can start using them during free gameplay. This will give you an edge when you actually start playing with real money.

The goal is to practice gameplay until you have enough skill to start playing with real money.

6. Take Breaks

It’s easy to get caught up in the moment and excitement and to continue playing. But even if you’re on a roll, it’s important to take breaks. In fact, schedule in breaks when you’re playing so that you don’t go over your budget.

Taking breaks will give you some time to get grounded and come back to reality. 

If you’re feeling tired, overwhelmed or have an urge to continue playing even though you’re losing, stop and take a break. Taking a breather will break the cycle and allow you to come back to playing with a clearer mind. But in this case, it’s probably better for you to stop for the day.

7.  Bank Your Wins

If you have a good night and reach your goal for winnings, stop playing and be smart about what you do with those extra funds. Don’t gamble it all away. Instead, put half of that money away in savings. 

Even you lose the other half and all of your bankroll, you’ll still walk away with the money you’ve socked away.

If you really want to be smart, you’ll quit for the night and bank all of your winnings.

8. Don’t Drink and Gamble

Unfortunately, gambling and alcohol often go hand in hand, but this is a recipe for disaster. Alcohol impairs your judgment and can make you act on impulse rather than logic.

If you want to be smart about gambling online, avoid drinking. Instead, make sure that you’re playing with a clear, sober mind. Not only will you make better decisions when playing, but you’ll also avoid making other decisions (like dipping into money outside of your bankroll) that you’ll regret later on.

Online gambling can be fun and exciting, but if you want to avoid going bankrupt or becoming addicted, it’s essential to be smart about how you play. These tips will help you play smartly and stay on track, so gambling is fun and doesn’t have a negative impact on your life.