How to Play Slots Responsibly – Online Tools To Use
Ensure Responsible Gambling is part of your game play
Online slot games are an increasingly popular form of entertainment for many people worldwide. And with a growing number of casinos offering more games, it is even more important than ever that players are clued up on how to gamble online responsibly. That includes understanding what responsible gambling means, being aware of the available tools, and knowing what to do if you spot issues. Unsure? You're in the right place.
Here at Virgin Games, we're Serious About Play – meaning we balance the thrills of playing slots, casino and everything else with clear messaging surrounding responsible gambling. Take a look below at some of the ways we can help to ensure that you remain safe while betting with us.
What Is Responsible Gambling?
Responsible gambling isn't a new concept, but it's more prevalent now in a digital-first gaming world. But with the growth of the iGaming market, comes the growth in awareness (and tools!) available to enable players to keep things fun and help those who need further support.
Responsible gambling is defined as gambling in a way that doesn't put the player, or anyone else, at risk of harm. 'At risk' could mean spending beyond your means, for example. Only wagering what you can afford to lose (as winning is never guaranteed) is an example of a responsible approach. All good online slots and casino providers should utilise methods to help players keep track of this – such as spending limits and cool-off periods.
Don't spot messaging about responsible gambling on a new site? It's probably best to avoid gaming with them.
Whether you’re into slots, Slingo, poker or casino gaming, we want you to have a seriously rockin' experience on our site, so you must remember to play with care at all times.
What Responsible Gambling Tools Are Available at Virgin Games?
Deposit limits, session reminders, and account cool offs are some of the tools to help you track your online gaming. While you read up in more detail on how they work here we’ll give you a quick run-through of how these work.
Deposit Limits
When you become a member at Virgin Games, you can set a daily, weekly or monthly limit to the amount of money you can spend online. We'll let you know when you've reached your set limit. If your circumstances change, you can adjust your limit accordingly to keep playing within your desired limits.
Session Reminders
It's a good idea to cap the time you spend gaming online, and session reminders are the way to go. As standard, all our members will receive a reminder from us when they've been logged in for an hour, but players are welcome to bring this time forward to the 30-minute mark. This way, you can keep track of your session lengths.
Account Cool Off
We all need a break now and again. Know that any time during your membership with us, you can reach for our Account Cool Off tool to take that needed step back. What this looks like is up to you – a break can last from 24 hours up to six weeks.
Account Self-Exclusion
If a longer break is needed, our Account Self-Exclusion function can help. This means you won't be able to access your account for a period between six months and five years, and you'll need to reach out to our quick-to-hand customer support team who can assist you in activating it again once this time is up.
Live Chat Service
Need help, advice or someone to speak to? Then our excellent customer service team have got you. Use our free live chat service, available 24/7, and who will be on hand to answer any questions about responsible gambling.
Game In Good Hands
When you're playing on our site, we have your Game In Good Hands. We pledge to create a safe environment for everyone who wants to experience thrilling moments and incredible action on our games, with three key pillars: Trustworthy, Rewarding and Responsible.
Head over to our Game In Good Hands hub to find out all of the details, and how you can get help with any questions related to responsible gambling.
Is There a Way to Gamble Responsibly?
Setting limits – time or budget-wise – is a good place to start.
You should always keep an eye on the amount of time and money you are spending on slot games, and there are many ways to ensure you play responsibly. Set a time limit with our handy tool, and you will receive a notification after you’ve played for your desired amount of time.
Set deposit limits to be mindful of the amount you spend on a daily, weekly and monthly basis, and if you feel like you want to take a break, you can “cool off” from your account for up to six weeks.
You can find more information about these tools and more on our Responsible Gambling page, and can speak with the fully trained Customer Support staff (available 24/7) to help you if you need it.
What Should You Avoid When Playing Slot Machines to Gamble Responsibly?
When playing online slot games, you should always make sure you’re having fun. If that ever changes, or you feel like you’re losing control of your betting, then you should take a break. You should never gamble with bigger stakes than you’re comfortable with, and it’s very important not to chase losses.
Avoid building your gameplay around financial or 'winning' targets – as this can lead to irresponsible behaviour when playing slots online. Instead, stick to a spending sum or time limit per session – whatever the outcome of your spins. Depending on how regularly you play online slots, make sure these sessions don't add up to exceed your weekly or monthly goals.
Is It Possible to Gamble Without Spending Money?
Of course, it is not possible to gamble without having to stake money. You are always at risk of losing your wager when playing online slots, or any form of online casino game – so, spending money is part of the game.
You can play slots at Virgin Games before you place a real money wager. Your favourite slots and online casino titles are available in demo mode after you’ve registered with us. Test and enjoy the games we have to offer without placing a bet. Of course, demo mode means you won't be able to claim any cash prizes.
You can also enjoy our selection of Daily Free Games,** including Rainbow Riches: Daily Rainbows and Search for the Phoenix, once you’ve deposited £10 on-site. These games give you the opportunity to land real money prizes or free spins, and the more you play them, the more chances you have to win!
Should You Leave a Slot Machine After Winning?
It’s completely up to you whether you leave a slot machine after landing a winning spin. You can choose to continue playing your existing game, try something new, or end your gameplay session for that day. You can either leave your winnings in your wallet for your next session or withdraw them from your account. The important thing is to stick to your limits, regardless of any winnings.
If you're curious about the likelihood of slots to payout again so soon after a big win, you can find out about how slots work here, read up on common myths about online slots, or find out the truth about the 5 Spin Slot Method here. When you understand more about the mechanics of slots, you can enjoy them in a responsible way.
Reach out to our customer support team, available 24/7, if you have any problems or questions you'd like to ask while playing at Virgin Games.