Responsible Gaming

With the potential to win real prizes without spending money, there exists a risk of developing problematic gaming habits when engaging with these sites. To mitigate this risk, SweepsKings has made the decision to inform our readers about the importance of responsible social gaming.

By reading this material, you will learn how to play safely, protect your loved ones, utilize responsible gaming tools on the casinos we recommend, and where to seek professional help.

What is Responsible Social Gameplay?

Responsible social gameplay refers to a set of rules or principles designed to guide your gaming activities in order to prevent the development of undesirable gaming habits. Also known as Responsible Social Gaming Practices (RSGP), the objective is to promote casino gaming as a form of entertainment, shifting the focus from purely profit-driven play to the enjoyment of placing bets on your favorite social casino games.

Responsible social gameplay is a shared responsibility among the player, the operator, and third-party stakeholders. Each party plays a role in creating a safe and healthy gaming environment. Recently, the Social and Promotional Gaming Association (SPGA) was established as a new trade group to promote a responsible social gaming environment, and companies such as Blazesoft and High 5 Entertainment have already joined the initiative. In this regard, responsible gaming is becoming more crucial than ever.

This guide focuses on how you, as a player, can fulfill your part. This includes controlling the amount of time spent on the site, playing within a set budget, and spending only dedicated "play" funds when purchasing coins becomes necessary.

Responsible gaming and responsible gambling are essentially the same concept, applied in different contexts. Throughout this guide, we use the terms interchangeably to highlight the risks of gambling addiction across all settings (real money casinos, social casinos, sweepstakes).

What is Problem Gambling?

Problem gambling refers to a situation where an individual loses control over their gambling activities. All undesirable gaming habits fall under the category of problem gambling.

These habits include: spending more money than one can afford to lose, playing for excessive amounts of time, and typically neglecting family, friends, work, and study in pursuit of the adrenaline rush associated with online gaming.

Signs of Problem Gambling

Each individual reacts differently to a given issue, leading to various signs of problem gambling. As a player on a sweepstakes casino platform, you must always be vigilant for any of these signs and seek help as soon as you recognize them:

  • Compulsive need to risk valuable items that you cannot afford to lose in hopes of a higher reward.
  • Making gaming your primary source of income.
  • Hiding your gambling activities from friends and loved ones.
  • Strong emotional attachment (anger, stress, frustration, despair) to your losses on social casinos.
  • Neglecting important real-life responsibilities to play.
  • Inability to stick to a budget.
  • Constantly thinking about logging into your social casino account.

While some problem gamblers may overcome their issues over time, others may develop a more severe addiction known as "compulsive gambling." Detecting the signs of problem gambling early on and taking appropriate action can help prevent the progression into a gambling disorder.

Impact of Problem Social Gaming

If the signs mentioned above are not addressed, the following consequences may occur:

  • Severe financial losses, potentially leading to bankruptcy due to overdue bills, loans, and maxed-out credit cards.
  • Risk of losing employment due to poor job performance and gambling during work hours.
  • Issues in interpersonal relationships (neglecting friends and family).
  • Divorce, loss of child custody, and other legal complications.
  • Committing criminal acts to fund compulsive gaming habits.
  • Depression and other mental health issues.
  • Self-harm or suicidal thoughts in extreme cases.

As illustrated above, the negative impact of gaming addiction extends beyond financial ruin. It can also affect your physical and mental health, workplace productivity, and personal relationships.