If you’re a fan of gambling, you probably know how exciting it can be to win a jackpot. However, you may not have considered how the rush of winning can also cause a number of other negative emotions, such as anxiety, depression or even impulsive behaviour. The most important thing to remember when gambling is to only gamble for fun and keep your winnings in perspective. This means setting a budget and only wagering money you can afford to lose. You should always try to walk away from the game once you have reached your limit, as well as make use of responsible gaming tools such as deposit limits, loss limits and self-exclusion.

There’s nothing wrong with dreaming of a big win, but it’s vital to stop the urge for ‘just one more spin’ by planning what you’ll do afterwards. If you have something planned, the urge to play will be less strong and you can continue playing responsibly, enjoying the thrill of winning and the sense of achievement that comes with it.

While many people may view online slot machines as a form of gambling, it’s worth remembering that they are no more than complex pieces of software that randomly generate combinations of symbols. This process is entirely random, and whether or not you hit a winning combination is entirely down to luck – and the house edge that applies to all games. It’s therefore vital to understand the risks of online slot playing and use responsible gambling tools, such as deposit limits, loss limits, time outs and self-exclusion, to minimise them.