It’s all fun and games until someone loses a nut… or the whole pot.
Online gambling is a highly entertaining pastime and can even lead to some great cash wins. However, any responsible gambler also knows they have to accept they may also be in for big losses.
Being able to take your losses without them negatively affecting your life is the ideal situation for any gambler. In a perfect world, players would have a set amount of spare cash that they wish to use for entertainment, and choose to spend it on playing casino games with a legitimate, honest operator. Once this money (aka their nut), has been used up, they would stop playing and find something else to do. The loss of this spare cash would have no negative effects – the gambler would still be able to pay their bills.
Unfortunately, we don’t live in a perfect world, and gamblers are beset by challenges. Let’s take a look at some of these.
A casino is a casino is a casino, right? How different can one casino be from another? All they do is exchange money for chips, offer games, and then exchange chips for money.
Well, no. No story goes, “Once upon a time, everything was simple, everything was the same, and everyone was happy. The end.”
Every casino – both brick and mortar and online – is unique. Yes, there are similarities, both legislative and game based, but there’s no way to summarise all casinos with just a few simple sentences.
Luckily for you, we have taken the time and effort to really get into the foundations of online gambling: what makes it tick, how it works, what players can expect, and so much more. Here, we offer you all the in-depth guides to online casinos and gambling you’ll need. And we take that promise seriously, which is why we are constantly working to add more guides that cover every aspect of the online casino experience.
In this series of guides, you will find information about jackpots, variance and volatility, online casinos, casino bonuses, withdrawals and deposits, and more.
Casino guides like these can really help enhance your online casino experience. For example, jackpot guides don’t just tell you what a jackpot is; they explain the various types of jackpot, how they work, how to play to win, where to find games with different jackpots, and even who the game developers are.
Casino bonus guides are another super useful way to figure out which online casinos will work best for you. We don’t only look at the types of bonus offered, but explain how they work, the hidden pitfalls to look out for, and ways to make the most of your wagering requirements.
You’ll find enough information here to keep you busy longer than a great game of poker, so dig in, and come out the other side a little more knowledgeable. And if there’s anything you’d like to learn more about that you don’t find here on CasinoPlay, let us know. Happy reading!
On the one hand, there are the operators: legitimate, registered operators provide a safe gaming space, with games that are carefully designed to be fair; unscrupulous operators, however, are everywhere, and it can be all too easy to fall prey and lose big, or even everything.
To ensure players have a safe environment in which to play, there is pretty heavy legislation on online casinos worldwide. To operate legally in a given jurisdiction, the online casino has to comply with that country’s laws. In South Africa, online casinos need to be properly registered, comply with local tax laws and be allied with a responsible gambling programme.
But how can you know if your favourite online casino is legit? First, look for their registration information. This should appear on their website, alongside any responsible gambling affiliations, and any other certifications of legitimacy they have received. You can also Google them to find out if they’ve featured in any noteworthy news stories. Alternatively, you can check out our casino reviews, which include registration information and a review of the terms and conditions.
Getting help
If you believe a casino is operating illegally, or that their compliance with local laws seems insufficient or wrong, you can get in touch with South Africa’s National Gambling Board to report them. It is wise to steer clear of any casino that seems suspicious or has no apparent verification information.
Gambling can, for some people, become a problematic pastime. They could develop an addiction, or they could find themselves in a financial hole they struggle to get out of. This can lead to stress, irrational behaviour, family and marital problems, loss of sleep and many other problems in their life.
Most online casinos offer various ways to help you control your spend so that you don’t find yourself in this situation. Most of these are voluntary, however, such as daily bet limits, or maximum spins on a particular game. At the end of the day, gambling responsibly is up to the player.
If you or a friend or family member are experiencing problem gambling or have found yourself in difficulty due to gambling, you can contact the South African Responsible Gambling Foundation (SARGF). They provide counselling services for those affected by problem gambling, and also work on prevention programmes.
Other resources you can find on our site include :
