How Casinos Affect Your Mental Health: Understanding the Risks

The accessibility to online casino gambling in Canada has been on the rise in recent times with the introduction of new gambling technologies. Casino games, such as online poker and slot machines, are some of the most-liked by the average Canadian gambler. Such attraction to online casino gambling has amplified the need for more regular and detailed monitoring, especially as it pertains to mental health.

Everyone gambles for many different reasons – some love the adrenaline rush associated with winning, others want to socialize and escape from stress, while many take it as a lucky hobby. While we agree that online casinos provide an enjoyable outlet for many Canadians, it could get out of control for both old and new players. If you have started betting more than you can afford, borrowing money to continue your habit, or feeling anxious about your winning chances when playing slot machines, it's time to take your mental health more seriously.

Casino Gambling and Mental Health Risks in Canada

According to a study that used data from the 2018 Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS), Gambling Rapid Response, about two-thirds of Canadians (18.9 million) aged 15 and older reported gambling in the past year. Of this number, around 1.6% were at moderate-to-severe risk of developing mental health challenges from casino gambling.

Most casino games are based on luck, and earning a win is simply a matter of chance. While this isn't a problem in itself, some people have mentally created a notion that they can influence their outcomes in some way. The unfortunate consequence of this is that failing to influence an outcome on games like slot machines deals a devastating blow to them.

Like every other type of disappointment, this can lead to low self-esteem, stress, anxiety, depression, and even addiction in trying to prove themselves worthy. These are some of the signs you can look out for to know when online casino gambling is becoming a problem that can affect your mental health:

  • Spending more money than you can afford on playing games at online casinos.
  • Gambling when you ought to be doing something important, like being with your loved ones or working.
  • Having a feeling of anxiety about your chances of winning casino games like slot machines or table games.
  • Using gambling as a form of escape from your challenges or as a way to deal with your emotional feelings.
  • Lying to your friends, colleagues, and even family about your gambling activity.
  • Stealing or having to borrow money just to fund your gambling.

Combating the Effects of Online Casino Gambling on Your Mental Health

Just like drugs and alcohol, gambling can become addictive if you engage in it compulsively or start to feel a little out of control when trying to hit the jackpot in slot machines. At Slots City Casino https://slotscity.com/, CA, we are licensed, understand these issues, and have implemented some responsible gambling practices to help new and old players combat gambling problems. You will find many of these tools at licensed and regulated online casinos in Canada. Some of them include:

  • Spending/loss limits,
  • Time limits,
  • Self-exclusion options,
  • Deposit limits,
  • Time outs.

While it is our responsibility at SlotsCity Casino CA to provide these tools, the bulk of the responsibility falls on you. We understand how good it feels to win a wager, but we're also aware that it isn't pleasant to play at a loss. These are what you can do as part of your responsibility to protect your mental health:

  • If you do decide to visit an online casino venue as a new player for leisure, ensure you spend only money that was already set aside for leisure activities.
  • If you have lost money while playing your favourite online casino games, don't chase it by depositing more money. This could lead to bigger losses.
  • Take advantage of our Slots City CA responsible gambling tools. You can set limits (deposit, time) and stop playing once these limits are exceeded.
  • Do not think of gambling as an avenue to make quick money or generate wealth. The fact remains that the majority of players will lose to accommodate big wins for a minority.
  • Avoid gambling when you're feeling anxious, depressed, angry, or upset.
  • Engage in other leisure activities that you find enjoyable so that online casino gambling does not take up too much of your life.
  • Avoid gambling while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, as this can impair your judgements.

Getting Help for Problem Gambling in Canada

Our extensive collection of slot machines, table games, and live dealers at SlotsCity Casino are as exciting as they come. As a licensed platform, we know that this can lead to issues with addiction as players choose to play more to win more. Although problem gambling only affects a minority of the population, it continues to be an issue in Canada. If you or someone close to you has a gambling problem, you will find resources at the Responsible Gambling Council. The RGC is dedicated to reducing gambling risks through education, innovation, awareness, and improved safeguards. We at Slots City Online Casino, Canada, believe that gambling should never come at a human cost.