Online slots are the beating heart of any online casino experience. However, while slots can be a lot of fun, it is important that players practise responsible gambling and play online slots in the UK safely, especially when real money is involved. In this Spin Genie guide to slot safety, we are going to explore different methods you can practise to ensure you are always playing online slots safely.
Setting Realistic Expectations and Limits
It is absolutely crucial that, when you start playing online slots for real money, you set realistic expectations and put limits on your play. This should factor in both your time and money.
Players should understand that they should not be playing slots to make money to live. If you are financially dependent on any sort of gambling, you should seek responsible gambling support immediately. Players should never be spending more than they can afford to lose.
This is also where setting limits on your account comes in. Responsible casinos, like Spin Genie, allow players to set spending and playing limits on their accounts. This will help ensure you are never going over budget or not spending too long playing.
Players should remember that playing slots is supposed to be fun and that if you are playing for too long, you increase the risk of incurring big losses or becoming addicted.
Understanding How Slot Machines Work
If you are going to make the most of your online slot experience, then it is vital that you understand how slot machines actually work. For those who are new to the world of online slots, all of the technical terms around the game can appear quite complex. Let’s break a few of them down to make them easier to understand.
- RTP: RTP is a phrase you will see in a lot of online slot games. It stands for ‘return to player’. This is displayed as a percentage and tells a player the percentage of their cash they are likely to see returned to them over a period of time. For example, a slot might have an RTP of 96%, which is around average. This means that players should see around 96% of their funds returned over an extended period of play. Players must remember RTP is not an exact science.
- Volatility: Volatility scales are used to explain the risk/reward side of playing an online slot. For example, a slot with high volatility has the potential to return big but could also see players suffer significant losses, while slots that are low volatility are likely to return more frequent wins, but those wins are not likely to be as big.
- Paytable: The paytable is where players will find useful information about the slot they are playing. This includes the RTP, volatility, symbol payout values, maximum win, and more.
Understanding slots can take some time, so we recommend instantly loading up the paytable of any new slot you play to ensure you understand exactly what you are letting yourself in for.
Choose Reputable Games and Platforms
With so many slots to choose from, it can be tricky to know not only which ones are the best but also which ones are safe to play.
The first thing you should do is ensure you are playing with licensed slot providers in the jurisdiction you are in, like Spin Genie. Licensing information should be located at the bottom of a casino’s website. For example, if you are playing at a UK casino, it should clearly display a license from the United Kingdom Gambling Commission (UKGC).
Once you have checked this, you will want to make sure you are choosing a slot game from a well-respected developer. Leading names including the likes of Pragmatic Play, NetEnt, Games Global, and Play’n Go.
If you are in any doubt about the online slot game you are playing, we recommend looking for customer reviews or expert reviews from professional and respectable casino websites.
Always Play Responsibly
If you want to make the most out of your online slot experience, then you should make sure you are always gambling responsibly. The following are some of the key things you can do to ensure your own well-being online.
- Manage your bankroll: Never spend more money than you can afford to lose, and never chase losses. Any respectable online casino will allow you to set spending limits to ensure you are not going over budget.
- Take regular breaks: Even if you are winning, it is important that you take regular breaks from playing online slots or from any other form of online gambling.
- Never play slots under the influence of alcohol or drugs: it is essential that you never play online slots under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Doing so can seriously impact your judgment and can lead to you facing some severe losses.
- Don’t be afraid to seek help: Players should never be afraid to seek professional help if they feel they need it. You can find a wide range of responsible gambling resources here at Spin Genie, and you can also reach out to our customer support team at any time if you need further advice or want to put further limits on your account.
It is crucial players understand that playing online slots should be fun, and if there is any point when they do not feel as though they are in control, or they are not enjoying themselves, they should stop playing and take some time away from the reels.
