Casinos are talked about as if they’re nothing but giant money pits, where fortunes are lost and hope is held onto until that last spin of the wheel or turn of a card. But, like with most things, the reality is somewhat more nuanced. Not everyone who visits a casino—real or virtual—is there to chase some big jackpot, and not everyone leaves with nothing, complaining of bad luck and better days. Some, difficult as it is to imagine, enjoy themselves.
The trick, if that’s the word you can use, is to do so with the right attitude. You wouldn’t go to the theater and anticipate leaving with more money than you entered with. Nor would you buy a football ticket expecting to be richer when you left than when you arrived. Gambling, at best, is entertainment. And if you treat it as such, rather than some risky financial undertaking, then suddenly the whole experience is changed. It is no longer about winning and is about fun. Without the lurking fear of financial ruin in the back of your head.
So, if you’re looking to enjoy an online casino without emptying your wallet, here are five ways to do just that.
1. Play for Free (Because Free is Good)
It’s something of an ironic twist that the one form of gambling in which you’re literally guaranteed not to lose anything is also the one which doesn’t strictly speaking qualify as gambling in the first place. Free casino games allow you to experience all of the excitement of a real casino without the monetary risk to your bankroll.
The majority of online casinos offer demo versions of their games, so you can spin the reels, place your bets, and try your hand at blackjack—all without it costing you a dime. Jackpot City, for instance, offers several of these, allowing players to get a feel for the games before placing any actual bets. It’s like you are handed an unlimited supply of arcade tokens when you’re a child, minus the humiliation of running out just as you’re about to beat your high score.
The great thing about free games is that they enable you to enjoy the thrill of the casino without any of the tension. No disappointment at losing wagers, no anxiety about whether you can truly afford another spin. Just easy, uncomplicated enjoyment.
2. Make the Most of Loyalty Bonuses
If there’s one thing online casinos are exceptionally good at, it’s handing out perks. Loyalty schemes, welcome bonuses, cashback offers—you’d be hard-pressed to find a casino that doesn’t have some kind of reward system in place.
The key is to take advantage of these bonuses. Free spins or bonus credit are given by most online casinos just for signing up, and regular players can accumulate more rewards as time goes on. The bonuses can help you play longer without spending more than you intended to, so you can have fun at the entire casino experience with no risk of going over your budget.
It’s the same as those loyalty cards you receive in coffee shops—keep returning, and after a bit, you receive a complimentary cappuccino. Except here, the cappuccino is several free bets and the chance to trade bonus credit for real winnings (though, as ever, it’s wise to read the small print).
3. Set Limits (And Actually Stick to Them)
There is an old saying that a wise gambler knows when to walk away. No one is entirely certain who first said it—probably someone who just lost his shirt at a poker game—but the idea is solid. Perhaps the simplest and most direct way of not spending more than you can afford is to budget ahead of time before you play.
Most serious online casinos, understanding that a dissatisfied player is one who has spent more than they intended, provide mechanisms that enable you to impose deposit limits or time limits on your play. Use them. Determine, before you even sit down, how much you’re going to spend and, more importantly, when you’re going to quit.
It’s too simple to fall into the “just one more go” mindset, especially when you believe you’re on the verge of the big win. But casinos, if you hadn’t already guessed, are very good at ensuring those big wins are fewer and farther between. Play for fun instead of profit, and you’ll find it’s a much more enjoyable experience.
4. Try Social and Live Games
Not all casino games are a solitary activity, where it is you against the numbers. Social gaming is available at most online casinos these days, where you can play with your friends, talk with other players, or even interact with live dealers.
Live dealer games, in particular, have gained popularity over the past several years, bringing an additional layer of realism to online casinos. They allow you to experience the thrill of a live casino from the comfort of your own home—without the need to navigate a sticky carpet or wait in line for an overpriced drink.
Meanwhile, tournaments and social games enable you to compete against others in a way that does not always involve high stakes. Sometimes the thrill of the game itself—whether it’s a poker tournament, a blackjack leaderboard, or even a slots competition with friends—is enough to make it worth playing.
5. Focus on the Experience, Not the Outcome
If you’re only enjoying yourself at an online casino when you’re winning, then you’re doing it wrong. The right attitude is the same attitude you’d approach any other form of entertainment: as a means of having fun in the moment, not as a means to an end.
It’s the same as going out to the cinema for a night. You don’t sit there the whole night thinking you should have spent the ticket money on something else—you get involved in the story, the spectacle, the sheer entertainment value of it all. A trip to the casino should be the same. Winning or losing should be secondary to the entertainment value of the game itself.
And if you do happen to have some leftover change in your pocket, then that’s a bonus. But if not? Then at least you’ve enjoyed yourself. Which, after all, is what it’s all meant to be about.
