Here’s the deal. We know that the main reason 90% of online casino gamblers are there is to win money. It’s all about the pursuit of the dream, finding that table game, progressive slot or video poker game that’s going to propel you from ordinary desk jockey to multimillionaire … or, you know, cover the bills in these stressful times.
We are not here to discourage you from enjoying online casino games. Online slots, table games and other video offerings are not only a way to potentially win big, they’re also good, old-fashioned entertainment, and we support your quest for fun.
Having said that, this enjoyment can sometimes get a bit out of hand and lead to losses you just can’t afford. That’s why we’ve put together a guide to managing your bankroll, so that you can get the most out of your play without wrecking your bank account.
Some online casinos allow you to set a limit on the amount of money you’re willing to lose per day or per gaming session. If your casino offers this feature, take advantage of it to ensure that you limit your losses. If your casino doesn’t offer this feature, we recommend either finding one that does, or setting your own limits and sticking to them. If you struggle to do this, try separating your gambling budget from everything else so that you don’t mistakenly overspend.
Casino games are designed to keep you entertained and playing for as long as possible. Game play can be so much fun and so engaging, however, that it’s way too easy to lose track of how long you’ve been playing. Set a time limit for your gaming session, and make sure it ends with a loud timer or alarm to let you know playtime’s over.
There’s just no point in wasting money finding a new game to play. If you’re looking for a new game and want to test out a few without losing money, try looking for an online casino that offers free or trial play options. Free play is a great way to discover more games, or even just to scratch the gaming itch when you don’t want to spend real money.
No two online casinos are exactly the same, even though they have features in common. Each casino has its own regulations around deposits, withdrawals and bonuses that can affect your bankroll and cash flow. Make sure to familiarise yourself with all the relevant terms and conditions before playing. Our casino reviews can help point you in the right direction.
There’s not much point in spending ages setting loss limits if you’re signed up at a multitude of casinos and can just hop into a new one when you hit your limit. Take the time to choose just a few casinos to frequent, and limit how many you visit in a day.
Online casinos just love welcome bonuses, and some of them have multiple ongoing bonus options you can take advantage of. However, these bonuses can be challenging to navigate, especially due to wagering requirements. Wagering requires you to spend a certain amount of real money before you can claim these bonuses, and some players get sucked into pursuing these at all costs. If you do sign up for a bonus, make sure you are well versed in their wagering requirements, so that you don’t lose more than you’re eligible to claim. For more information, read our guide to wagering here.
Managing your bankroll effectively can be an important step to long-term gambling enjoyment. If you are able to manage your losses so that they don’t affect your life, you will be in a better position to keep playing and standing chances to win big. However, if you struggle to do this, or suspect you may have a gambling problem, we strongly recommend getting help. Visit our guide to problem gambling and our problem gambling resources page to find sources in South Africa that can help.
