To ensure that playing games at an online casino remains safe and enjoyable, it is helpful to understand how your brain reacts to these games. In this blog, we discuss the role of dopamine in gambling and offer tips on how to manage it responsibly. Naturally, these tips apply to playing slot machines, as well as other table games such as roulette and blackjack, or crash games.
The anticipation of rewards
Dopamine isn’t just released when you win, but also whilst you’re playing. As soon as you place a bet, your brain starts releasing dopamine because it anticipates a potential reward. This happens particularly just before a result is revealed, such as when a roulette ball is still spinning or when the reels of a slot machine are slowly coming to a halt.
Because you never know exactly when a reward will come, you remain curious about the next round. To ensure you don’t spend more money than you can afford, it is vital that you stick to a pre-set budget. Decide in advance how much money you can spare and always stop immediately once you have spent this amount. Never gamble with money you need for essential living costs and only play as long as you are enjoying yourself.
The near-miss effect
It can happen that you almost win, but then miss out on this potential win by a hair’s breadth. This is known as the near-miss effect. Think, for example, of a slot machine where two identical symbols appear and the third lands just below or above them. Although you do not win a prize, the brain still experiences this as near success.
That feeling stimulates the production of dopamine once again. As a result, you may feel the urge to play another round, because you feel that a win could come at any moment. It is therefore important to remember that slot machines are entirely based on chance, and that a near-win does not mean a win is imminent. Schedule regular breaks and step away from your screen for a moment before deciding whether to continue playing, so you don’t get carried away.
Building up tolerance
Just as with other forms of reward, the brain can get used to the dopamine stimuli you receive whilst playing. This is called tolerance. Some players therefore start betting more money or playing more often, so they can achieve the same ‘high’ as before.
If you find that playing within a set budget and taking breaks are no longer enough to control your gambling behaviour, there are other measures you can take. At an online casino, you can request a 24-hour break or a longer period of self-exclusion. You can also set it up so that you receive a reality check every so often, so you don’t lose track of time. There is also always a customer service team on hand that you can contact free of charge.
Whether you play at Casino777.be or any other online casino, always remember to bet responsibly. Here at Casino777.be, we regard player well-being as our number one priority – check out our Responsible Gambling tips and tools page for more information.
