Why it’s important to mind your P’s and Q’s, even when playing online
Since it’s the holiday season, that means – for many of us – we’re more social than usual. We do a lot of visiting with friends and family (direct relations and/or in-laws), we may go to company Christmas parties, and we typically engage in more in-person shopping and events. As such, it’s more important than ever to be mindful of social etiquette. That being the case, I figured why not take a moment (or a post 🤪) to talk about casino etiquette – specifically, online casino etiquette.
Why specifically online casino etiquette? Because most casino etiquette recommendations and guides out there focus on how players should conduct themselves in a land-based environment. While knowing how to be respectful at a brick-and-mortar establishment is important, the majority of the same rules (obviously) can’t/don’t apply in a digital setting.
For instance, according to the Play.Smart slots etiquette guide for a land-based casino, one of the good manners to keep in mind is to only sit at a slot machine if you’re playing it. However, this etiquette clearly doesn’t apply to an online casino…since you’re not sitting at any physical machine whether you’re playing it or not.
So, what etiquette does apply to an online gambling experience? Here’s a list of 10 online casino dos and don’ts to keep in mind if you’re thinking about signing up or even for the next time you play.
Top 10 Dos and Don’ts of Online Casino Etiquette
This online casino etiquette list I compiled focuses on how to conduct yourself at an online casino, including following rules, being respectful to others, and playing responsibly.
Do create a respectful username/ chat name
This “Do” falls into the “online casino tips for beginners” category, since creating a username is one of the very first things you do when starting your online casino adventure. Likewise, when you first load a live casino game or enter a bingo room, you’re prompted to cerate a user/chat name.
When you’re given the option to create a username (or a chat name) – especially if you feel like being creative – give it some careful thought. A decent username is one that is:
- Respectful of the casino’s rules regarding its community standards and decency
- Clean – no profanity or offensive language
- Free of discrimination, hate speech, or other negative behaviours
- Unique without being misleading – don’t impersonate or imply affiliation with other players or the casino staff
The username you create is your primary identifier with the online casino community. Think about how you want to represent yourself to others. Equally, keep in mind that you’ll want to avoid providing any personal or private information about yourself. Also, remember that even if you can’t come up with anything creative that you like to start, you can always change your username later.
Don’t ignore the casino’s rules
All legitimate online casinos in Ontario have terms and conditions, privacy policies, and responsible gaming protocols in place. Every player is expected to know the house rules and play by them.
As such, before playing, it’s always in your best interest to read:
- Terms and conditions / Terms of use
- Privacy policy
- Game play policy/ Fair play policy
- FAQs
- Responsible gaming
Yeah, it’s a lot to read. …And, yeah, it’s not really a fun or interesting read either (for most of us anyway), but that doesn’t make it any less important. Knowing the various rules, standards, expectations, etc., etc. that apply to us as players is in our best interest. It helps us to stay in the casino business’ good graces and provides us with integral knowledge, including how the casino operation runs, and how to protect ourselves from gambling-related harm and/or other misconduct.
It’s also important to point out that these conditions, rules, and policies are frequently updated and are subject to change at any time.
Do learn the rules of the games you play
Before you take part in any of the casino’s games, take the time to thoroughly understand the game rules. Depending on the games you play, learning rules can mean gaining an understanding of:
- How to play
- Game mechanics
- RTP (return to player)
- Paying symbols
- Paylines
- Features
- Game volatility
- Odds of different types of bets
- What happens if there is a malfunction (e.g., game freezes, shuts down, malfunctions, etc.)
Like understanding the casino’s terms of use, knowing the game rules prevents unintentional rule-breaking, so you can avoid unnecessary issues and disputes. It can also enhance your gameplay strategy, allowing you to make informed decisions that can maximize your winning potential within the boundaries of fair play.
Just remember, iGaming isn’t the same as video gaming. Learning the rules of casino games and knowing how to play them can improve your understanding of game mechanics and the odds, which can help you make knowledgeable decisions with your bets. However, it’s not like a video game where the more you play and level up, the greater your success of defeating the game. No matter your knowledge or skills, ultimately, when it comes to iGaming, you play within the boundaries of fair play. This means you bet money on games – and regardless of your skills – the outcome of a win or loss is random, always.
Don’t forget your live chat manners
Live chat decorum is paramount when it comes to online casino etiquette. It’s the only real-time interaction you have with other players and the casino staff.
When participating in live chat communication – whether its communicating with the casino staff, other players, or a live dealer – be mindful of what you say and how you say it as well as what you ask and how you ask it.
This means avoiding:
- Offensive language
- Insults
- Hate speech
- Aggressive or threatening comments
- Spamming the chat with irrelevant messages
- Advertising
- Discussing spoilers
- Discussing politics/ political opinions
- Discussing religion/ religious opinions
Keep live chat communication respectful and positive. This encourages more players to take part (which can be more fun) and it makes the gaming environment so much more enjoyable.
Do treat live dealers with respect
One of the coolest (and most authentic) aspects of taking pat in live casino games is that you can see the dealer/game host and interact with them in real time.
That said, just because a live dealer or live game show host can’t see the players taking part in the game, this doesn’t mean that it’s okay for players to treat them with any less respect.
If you choose to participate in a live game chat…
- Be respectful when communicating with the dealer
- Don’t make rude, abusive, or obscene comments
- Ask appropriate questions (game-related or small talk topics) nothing too personal or opinionated
- Don’t try to monopolize the dealer’s attention if there are lots of players participating in the live chat
Finally, remember that you’re not the only player in the game, so have patience. If you have the live chat window open, you can see how many other players are participating in the chat. Don’t expect the dealer to respond to you right away.
Don’t be rude to casino customer support representatives
If you play at online casinos regularly, chances are that you’ll likely need to contact their customer support at some point, for one reason or another.
Most online casinos provide different communication options, with email and live chat being among the most commonly offered casino customer service options.
Regardless of your reason for contacting support or the communication method you choose, always:
- Be respectful
- State you query or issue(s) clearly
- Have patience
- Carefully read the response
- Thank the staff member for getting back to you
- Keep a record of all communications in case you need it for reference later
Remember, even if you have every reason to be upset/angry over an issue, the casino staff member who responds to your problem isn’t your enemy and isn’t the person who caused the issue. Resolutions tend to occur with greater speed (and sometimes extra perks!) when you show patience, respect, and kindness.
Do manage your privacy settings
Investigate the privacy settings the online casino offers and use them. Another aspect of mastering online casino etiquette is managing what others see and know about you.
Safeguarding your security and data and protecting yourself from unwanted interactions with other players increases your comfort, which allows you to focus better when you play your favourite casino games. It’s recommended for online casino players to:
- Use the privacy features the online casino has, to control who can interact with you and see your activity
- Share only the information that is necessary for gameplay (and keep all other personal information private)
- Regularly review and make any necessary changes to your privacy settings (especially after the casino notifies you that they’ve made updates to their policies, conditions, or features).
Managing your privacy settings can help you enjoy a more personalized and secure online gambling environment. When you’re confident about your safety, you’ll get the most enjoyment out of your experience, without worrying about your privacy or the misuse of your data.
Don’t cheat
Everyone knows cheating is a giant no-no. It’s also the opposite of online casino etiquette.
Attempting to cheat a casino is a bad idea and is 100% in breach of their rules and against the law. The most common types of online casino cheating include:
- Rigging games
- Bonus abuse
- Creating multiple accounts
- Employing the use of bots
- Committing fraud
Players who attempt (successfully or not) to cheat a casino not only wind up getting banned (and possibly fined) but also make the online casino community less pleasant for everyone else.
If you notice any bugs, glitches, or suspicious behaviour during your online casino experiences, report it to casino management.
Do set limits and take breaks
An important part of online casino etiquette is responsible gambling. It’s up to you to play responsibly and keep your gambling under control. When you do, you’re less likely to bet beyond your means and more likely to have a good time and contribute to a positive gaming environment.
Online casinos make various tools and valuable resources and tips available to help players remain aware of their gambling behaviour and stay in control of it. Among these tools and resources include:
- Setting limits (e.g. deposit limits, win limits, loss limits, bet limits, time limits, etc.)
- Play time alerts/ reality checks
- Self-assessment tests
- Take a break
- Self-exclusion
- Information, links, and phone numbers for organizations offering support and help for problem gambling
When you set limits, take breaks, and remain ware of your gambling behaviour, you show that you have respect for gambling and take it seriously. Responsible playing makes you a better player and makes your online gambling community a better and safer place.
Don’t be a sore loser
Gambling is exciting and fun because there’s a possibility of winning and winning big. This possibility of winning is why most of us gamble. Of course, the other possibility when gambling is losing, and losing occurs a lot more than winning.
In fact, the longer you play, the more you’ll lose, which is one of the main reasons why you should never chase your losses, and you should give yourself limits.
Knowing when to call it quits by either walking away with your winnings or an empty bankroll, is an important part of playing responsibly and ensuring you don’t risk more than you can afford to lose.
Expecting to win all the time is futile. It breeds anger, a sore loser, a poor attitude, bad manners, problem gambling habits, and negatively impacts the online casino community.
Losing is a part of gambling. That’s why it’s important to play games you enjoy, have fun, and when the fun stops. Stop.🛑
Mia’s Final Thoughts on Online Casino Etiquette
For me, online casino etiquette isn’t only about following rules. It’s about playing responsibly and respecting others. Being aware and in control of our actions makes the experience better for ourselves and for everyone else with whom we may (or may not) interact.
Playing at an online casino is about participating in a gaming environment that should be safe and enjoyable for all who take part. Maintaining online gambling etiquette continually encourages an ethical and balanced iGaming culture, making the online casino experience that much more positive and fun.
What do you think?
Until next time, good luck and have fun.
Mia 👩💻
*I’m not affiliated with anyone.
**All links and images in this post are for informational purposes only.
