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A Guide to Responsible Gambling in Iceland

Online gambling can be fun, exciting, and even rewarding, but only when done responsibly. 

In Iceland, gambling laws are strict, and most types of betting are not allowed unless they’re run by government-approved organizations. Because of this, Icelandic online gamblers need to understand how to stay in control and make safe choices.

We’ve created this guide to help you ensure that gambling never becomes a source of distress for you but remains fun. We’ll talk about the rules, learn how to set healthy gambling habits, and know where to turn if things start to feel overwhelming. Let’s explore responsible gambling in Iceland together!

Online Gambling Laws in Iceland

The first step to gambling responsibly in Iceland is understanding what the laws say regarding online gambling. In a broad sense, online gambling is not legal in Iceland. This means there are no locally licensed online gaming platforms in Iceland. The government also does not approve any international casino site.

However, they don’t prosecute players for gambling online on offshore platforms. This is because the gambling legislation in the European Economic Area protects players.

While players can freely access international online casinos from Iceland, there is no protection from the government. It is, therefore, left to your discretion to protect yourself by playing only at reputable and licensed casino sites. 

What does Responsible Gambling Mean?

Responsible gambling means having a healthy relationship with gambling. It involves seeing online gambling for what it was intended for: a leisure activity. Once you start gambling to make money, spending more than you can afford to lose, or even running into debt, then it has become a problem.

Here are a few key principles to follow to ensure you gamble responsibly in Iceland: 

1. Gamble for Entertainment
   Always view gambling as a form of leisure. It is not a way to make money and should never become your source of livelihood. While it’s easy to get caught up in the idea of winning big, remember that the possibility of winning money is just to add a thrill to the game. Additionally, most casino games are based on luck, not skill, so there’s no way to guarantee that you will always win. Gambling games are and were intended to be a form of entertainment, so play with that in mind.
   
2. Set a Spending Limit in Advance and Stick to it
   It is important to set a budget for gambling, and this should be money you can afford to lose. This means only gambling with money left over after you have sorted out your bills, groceries, and other needs. Never borrow money or use savings meant for essential expenses. And once you pass this budget limit, walk away.

3. Use Time Limits
   Just like setting a money limit, you should also decide how much time you want to spend gambling. Setting a timer or an alarm can help you avoid spending hours at a time on games. When the time is up, take a break, even if you’re winning. You can also automate this time limit using browser extensions or your phone settings.

4. Never Chase Your Losses
   There is no guarantee of winning when gambling. You either win or lose, so understand that losing is part of the game. A mistake many Icelandic players make is to keep playing to “win it back.” Unfortunately, this can lead to even bigger losses because you’d be playing out of frustration or desperation. Accept losses calmly. If possible, take a break to do other things and then resume when you are in a better frame of mind. Never let emotions drive your next move.

5. Take Breaks Often
   Never play for long stretches of time, even when you’re on a winning streak. Regular breaks give your brain time to rest and helps you think clearly. Gambling continuously for long periods can make it harder to make good decisions.

6. Don’t Gamble When You’re Upset or Drunk
   Avoid gambling when you’re feeling sad, angry, or under the influence of alcohol or drugs. These emotions and substances can affect your judgment and lead to risky decisions you might regret later. They make it hard for you to stick to the limits that you have set.

7. Keep a Healthy Life Balance
   If gambling becomes your first pick every time you want to have fun or relax, then that might be a sign that there’s a problem. Make sure you have other hobbies and also keep up with relationships in your life. Keep things balanced by participating in activities like your job, school, social events, and exercise.

How to Recognize Signs You May be Having Problem Gambling

There are some telltale signs you can easily spot if you or someone you know is starting to have problems gambling. Catching these signs early can help you find solutions before it gets worse. They include:

1. Thinking About Gambling All the Time
   If you wake up in the morning and the first thing you want to do is gamble, or it is constantly on your mind even when doing other things, that’s a strong signal that something isn’t right. A healthy relationship with gambling means it’s just one of many things in your life and not the main one. It means you can work, hang out with friends, and do other things without thinking about gambling.
   
2. Spending More Money Than You Planned
   It is one thing to set a budget, but it is a different thing to stick to it. Do you often find yourself going over your gambling budget or feel the need to bet more than you can afford? This is a major warning sign, especially if it starts to affect sorting out your bills or making you run into debt.

3. Lying About Your Gambling Habits
   If it gets to the point that you find yourself hiding how much you gamble or feeling ashamed talking about it with friends or family, this is another sign. It may mean you’re also not comfortable with your own behavior. Honesty is key to staying in control.

4. Neglecting Work, Family, or Responsibilities
   You should never start missing appointments, skipping work, or ignoring your loved ones because of gambling. If you start noticing this pattern, it’s time to re-evaluate your habits.
   
5. Borrowing or Stealing to Fund Gambling
   This is a serious sign that gambling is no longer just a hobby. If you find yourself taking out loans, borrowing from friends, or using credit cards to fund your bets, it’s time to seek help.
   
6. Feeling Guilty or Depressed
   Playing online games should be fun. But if you find yourself constantly in emotional distress, especially guilt or sadness after gambling, it can be a sign you’re not enjoying it anymore. These feelings often point to deeper issues that need attention.

Tools to Help You Gamble Responsibly

If you have noticed any of the signs above and are ready to seek help, the good news is you don’t have to do this alone. Most reputable Iceland online casinos have responsible gambling tools. We recommend choosing these casinos for your online gambling needs. Some of the helpful tools they have available include:

• Deposit and Loss Limits: This tool allows you to set caps on how much you can deposit or lose within a specified period. You could choose to set daily, weekly, or monthly limits. These limits act as a safety net and can help stop losses before they become unmanageable.
• Wager Limits: Similar to deposit limits, you can use this to limit how much you can bet on a single game or over time. This is also a good way to ensure you never exceed your budget.
• Time-Out Periods: Also referred to as a cooling-off period, it allows you to take a break for a few hours, days, or weeks. During this time, you won’t be able to access your gambling account no matter what you do. Setting time-out periods will force you to stay away and reset, even when you can’t make this decision yourself.
• Self-Exclusion Tools: If you feel you need a longer break, you can exclude yourself from a platform for up to 6 months, 1 year, or permanently. This feature will prevent you from logging in or even making new accounts.
• Reality Checks and Notifications: These pop-ups act as a gentle reminder during gameplay. They let you know how long you’ve been playing or how much you’ve spent. These notifications help encourage mindfulness while gambling.

Seeking Help and Support 

If even after using these tools, you still find yourself struggling or you feel like you need additional support, you’re not alone! You don’t have to do it by yourself. There are many organizations, both NGOs and governmental, that provide support to Icelandic players having gambling issues:

• Gamblers Anonymous Iceland (GA)

Gamblers Anonymous holds support meetings all over the world, including Iceland. These meetings are usually attended by people who may have surpassed their gambling addiction or are in the process of doing so. Members share their story, and it’s a good way of knowing you are not alone in your struggles. GA gives a sense of community, and attending the meetings can go a long way in your recovery. They also hold online meetings if you can’t or don’t want to attend in person. 

• Icelandic Interest Group of Gambling Addiction (IIGGA)

This NGO was established by people who have previously had problems with gambling. They raise awareness about the cons of gambling and advocate for restrictions, especially to minors and other vulnerable people. 

• BeGambleAware

Although based in the UK, they provide information to help people make informed decisions about their gambling. Their resources and self-assessment tools are available to everyone regardless of where they live.

• The National Helpline

Iceland’s national helpline provides help and support to Icelanders dealing with various forms of addiction or mental health issues. They have professional counselors who keep whatever you tell them confidential and could also refer you to specialized support if needed.

Conclusion

Gambling should never feel painful or bring you emotional or mental distress. It should always be a source of fun and one of your hobbies to relax or de-stress. This can only happen if you maintain a healthy relationship with it. So, even when you lose a gaming round, you can take it in good stride because you know it is part of the game and haven’t gambled with more money than you can afford to lose.

By setting deposit and time limits and keeping track of your habits, you can ensure you are gambling responsibly in Iceland. Never be afraid to ask for help if you need it. Gambling can be part of a balanced life, but only when you stay in control.