Learn what reality checks are, how to set them up on your gambling account, monitor your behavior, and help maintain responsible gambling habits.
What are reality checks in online gambling accounts?
Reality checks are features online gambling platforms provide to help players keep track of their gambling habits. They usually include alerts or notifications reminding players about how long they have been playing, the amount wagered, or other specific preferences set by the user (American Psychological Association, 2020).
Setting Up Reality Checks
Log in to your account and locate the reality check settings within the responsible gambling and account panel sections. Depending on the platform, settings may be under a tab or menu labeled as “Responsible Gaming,” “Player Protection,” or “Self-Exclusion.” Reality check settings allow you to set specific reminders, notifications or even account limitations that help manage your gambling habits.
Customizing your reality check preferences
Frequency and duration: Set the frequency of your reality checks by setting a specific time interval (e.g., every 30, 60, or 90 minutes). After the designated period, the platform will notify you and provide the option to continue or stop playing. Additionally, by setting a duration limit for each gambling session, you can prevent extended gambling periods without a break.
Notification options: Customize the way you receive reality check notifications. Many platforms offer various options, such as pop-up messages, emails, or even text messages.
Account limitations based on reality checks: Some online gambling platforms offer players the ability to set account limitations based on their reality check responses. For instance, a player can set their account to automatically log out after a designated number of reality check notifications, barring them from further gameplay.
The importance of reality checks
The primary purpose of reality checks is to foster responsible gambling behavior by:
- Promoting self-awareness: Reality checks prompt players to stop and evaluate their gambling activity and their playing time. It helps people stay mindful of the potential risks and consequences of excessive gambling.
- Enabling informed decision-making: Reality checks provide statistics on wagering, winnings, and losses, giving players a realistic overview of their current situation. They help them decide whether to continue playing or stop and take a break.
- Mitigating addiction risks: Frequent and timely reality checks can interrupt the continuous play loop, leading to addictive behavior. By encouraging players to pause and reflect, reality checks contribute to identifying and preventing problem gambling habits.
- Complying with regulations: In many jurisdictions, incorporating reality checks into online gambling platforms is legally required to protect players and promote responsible gambling practices.
Features of a typical reality check-in online gambling
- Customizable time intervals: Players can set the frequency at which reality checks are triggered, such as every 30 minutes, 1 hour, or 2 hours. This feature allows individual preferences and needs to be taken into account.
- Timer displays: Many reality check tools include a timer on the screen to help players keep track of the time spent gambling. It adds an extra layer of awareness throughout the gaming session.
- Summary notifications: When the set time interval elapses, a pop-up message or notification appears on the screen, displaying relevant information such as total time spent playing, total amount wagered, and net profit or loss.
- Options to continue or quit: Reality checks offer players the choice to continue playing or stop and exit the game. Sometimes, operators might impose a mandatory cool-off period before resuming play, allowing the player to make a more conscious decision.
- Links to support and advice: Reality checks often provide direct access to responsible gambling resources, including help and advice on problem gambling and self-exclusion options. This feature ensures that players can find help quickly and easily if needed.
Operators increasingly incorporate these tools into responsible gambling strategies to promote safe and sustainable online gambling. They can be customized by the player to their preferences and are often required by regulators in jurisdictions where online gambling is legally authorized to help protect consumers and reduce the harmful effects of gambling.
Are reality checks mandatory on online gambling platforms?
Although regulations may vary by jurisdiction, most online gambling platforms are encouraged or required to provide reality check features to promote responsible gambling. Users may choose to set up or ignore these options at their discretion (Gambling Commission, 2019).