Self-control is more about good habits than anything. Once a habit or a routine is ingrained, it becomes the easiest path to follow. The brain creates a sort of shortcut to conserve energy for the things we do often. The more often we do something, the more effortless it becomes to us. Of course, this is true for both good and bad habits.
It also applies to gambling at casinos. Falling into a negative pattern of getting emotionally worked up and risking too much is something many can relate to. But gambling – even gambling regularly – can be fun, and doesn’t have to be problematic as long as you have built the right habits and routines.
Those who want to cut down on playing often go from one extreme to the other, back and forth. Playing chaotically for a while and then using GamStop to completely stop playing isn’t going to solve any problem – once you go back to gambling, the brain will fall back into old patterns.
Instead, players who want to incorporate gambling into their lives should start by aiming to build routines in which they take controlled risks, even if it means smaller wins and can feel less exciting in the moment. Creating balance and making your habits and routines work for you is key.
Tools like GamStop can be useful for giving people a break from gambling when it has become too much, but to achieve lasting balance, it’s not enough. Non-GamStop casinos are an option for those wishing to control their gambling rather than cut out the games completely.
Non-Gamstop casinos are not licensed by the UK Gambling Commission, but by other authorities, such as the Malta Gaming Authority. These casinos often offer not just fewer restrictions, but better bonus offers and more. Here you can read more about how non GamStop casinos work.
Many of these casinos have other restrictions that are better suited for those hoping to build positive momentum through smaller, controlled bets. Many let you set up your own limits – a weekly limit for both time and money, for instance. These tools can serve as a sort of scaffolding while you’re working on building your habits, keeping you on the right track without completely removing your access to gambling.
An extreme relationship with anything can lead to the opposite of what we want – a stronger craving for the very thing we’re trying to reduce. By giving ourselves limited access, we can change the relationship we have with the thing in question and still enjoy it in moderation.
Of course, for some people, GamStop really is the best option. It all depends on your priorities. If gambling is a destructive habit you don’t really want in your life there’s no use clinging to it. But if it’s something you genuinely enjoy doing that sometimes gets a bit much, there are better options.
We’ve mentioned that self-control isn’t about willpower, but daily habits. It’s also about the environment you create for yourself. Make it easy to build the right habits, and stick to them again and again, and soon this will become your default behaviour.