How to control excitement without complete exclusion
Introduction
You don't always want to or possibly completely exclude yourself from games - but even without hard locks, you can reliably limit risks. The main thing is to create a system of diverse barriers that leaves freedom, but does not allow the impulse of "another bet" to develop into a serious problem.
1. Deposit and time limits
Banking and platform limits
1. In the casino's personal account, set a daily/weekly deposit limit (for example, 50-100 AUD).
2. Set up maximum losses: When reached, bets are blocked automatically.
Timeouts and schedule
1. Use the "timeout" function (1-24 hours) after a series of sessions or three losses.
2. Plan game hours: no more than 30-45 minutes at a time and no more than twice a day.
2. Psychological methods of self-regulation
Pre-Bid Checklist
1. "Am I calm?"
2. "Do I play for excitement or to forget?"
3. "Does the amount match my budget?"
The negative answer to any question is stop.
"Pause" technique
With any strong desire to play, postpone the launch for 10 minutes: drink water, stand up and take a walk. During this time, the emotional impulse subsides.
Keeping a mini-diary
Capture key data: time, bet amount, before and after mood. Analysis weekly will help to notice the growth of risks.
3. Technical tools without hard lock
Extensions and filters
1. BlockSite or LeechBlock NG: add a list of casino domains, enable blocking only at night or on weekends.
Applications with flexible settings
1. BetBlocker: Set "Casino" categories to "risky hours" - blocking at peak times.
2. Gamban: activate only on your work computer, leaving your home under moderate control.
DNS filters
OpenDNS/CleanBrowsing can be enabled selectively - for example, on the phone, so that mobile betting is not possible.
4. Social support and reporting
Buddy-system
1. Appoint a partner from among friends or family: if you want to play, you send him an SMS - he asks about the checklist and your readiness.
Weekly check-ins
1. Call up or meet once a week to share successes, difficulties and adjust limits.
Online support groups
Platforms like Gambling Help Online Chat allow you to get advice and redirect energy at peak times.
5. Alternative leisure and gamification
Filling time
1. Make a list of 5-7 activities (sports, hobbies, studies), and when you want to play - immediately switch.
Gamification of self-control
1. Habitica, Forest or other trackers - get "rewards" for betting-free days.
2. Mark progress on the calendar: a colour sticker for each risk-free day.
Conclusion
Flexible control of excitement is based on a combination of financial and time limits, psychological techniques, technical filters, social reporting and rich alternative leisure. These measures do not require radical exclusion and allow you to maintain freedom of action, reducing emotional and financial risks to a safe level.
You don't always want to or possibly completely exclude yourself from games - but even without hard locks, you can reliably limit risks. The main thing is to create a system of diverse barriers that leaves freedom, but does not allow the impulse of "another bet" to develop into a serious problem.
1. Deposit and time limits
Banking and platform limits
1. In the casino's personal account, set a daily/weekly deposit limit (for example, 50-100 AUD).
2. Set up maximum losses: When reached, bets are blocked automatically.
Timeouts and schedule
1. Use the "timeout" function (1-24 hours) after a series of sessions or three losses.
2. Plan game hours: no more than 30-45 minutes at a time and no more than twice a day.
2. Psychological methods of self-regulation
Pre-Bid Checklist
1. "Am I calm?"
2. "Do I play for excitement or to forget?"
3. "Does the amount match my budget?"
The negative answer to any question is stop.
"Pause" technique
With any strong desire to play, postpone the launch for 10 minutes: drink water, stand up and take a walk. During this time, the emotional impulse subsides.
Keeping a mini-diary
Capture key data: time, bet amount, before and after mood. Analysis weekly will help to notice the growth of risks.
3. Technical tools without hard lock
Extensions and filters
1. BlockSite or LeechBlock NG: add a list of casino domains, enable blocking only at night or on weekends.
Applications with flexible settings
1. BetBlocker: Set "Casino" categories to "risky hours" - blocking at peak times.
2. Gamban: activate only on your work computer, leaving your home under moderate control.
DNS filters
OpenDNS/CleanBrowsing can be enabled selectively - for example, on the phone, so that mobile betting is not possible.
4. Social support and reporting
Buddy-system
1. Appoint a partner from among friends or family: if you want to play, you send him an SMS - he asks about the checklist and your readiness.
Weekly check-ins
1. Call up or meet once a week to share successes, difficulties and adjust limits.
Online support groups
Platforms like Gambling Help Online Chat allow you to get advice and redirect energy at peak times.
5. Alternative leisure and gamification
Filling time
1. Make a list of 5-7 activities (sports, hobbies, studies), and when you want to play - immediately switch.
Gamification of self-control
1. Habitica, Forest or other trackers - get "rewards" for betting-free days.
2. Mark progress on the calendar: a colour sticker for each risk-free day.
Conclusion
Flexible control of excitement is based on a combination of financial and time limits, psychological techniques, technical filters, social reporting and rich alternative leisure. These measures do not require radical exclusion and allow you to maintain freedom of action, reducing emotional and financial risks to a safe level.
