Throughout most of its history, casino gaming has been reserved for certain people based on geography, income, and social standing. These casinos cost a lot of money to set up and maintain, and they could only be built in certain jurisdictions (especially in the US).

The advent of virtual casinos and legalization in many places now means that more people than ever can indulge and enjoy the gift of casino gaming. Unfortunately, this has led to burnout and other negative issues among players who indulge a bit too much.

The 'Micro-Sabbatical' Experiment

Going All In

Casino gaming is sometimes referred to as “ground zero” because everyone is equal when they play these games. You can easily go from $5 to becoming a big spender in a few hours, and it’s possible to go from being a high roller to penury in a similar timeframe.

Online casinos like HitnSpin have also improved accessibility through better graphics, improved gameplay, and more options to capture the hearts and imagination of players. Some players play casino games a couple of times a week or a month as a hobby or pastime. This class of players does not expect to win big, they primarily do it for the love of the game.

Another general class of players involves those who play the game almost daily but do not expect to make much from it. This class also involves streamers and content creators who share the joy of casino gaming and let people live vicariously through them.

The last type of player is the one that sees this form of gameplay as a side job or source of income, they play a lot, invest much, and are often prone to going overboard.

Burnout Creeps In

Too many people believe they are impervious to burnout; they do not believe it can happen to them until it does. The early 21st Century brought about many cases of gamers burning out, resulting in awful consequences like illness, rage-driven decisions, and sometimes death.

The world knows more about identifying and managing burnout, helping casino gamers get better help at the right time. The most important thing to remember is that the game is supposed to be fun and complement your real life; the moment it’s no longer fun and seems like it’s taking over your life, it might be time to take a step back.

If you find yourself indulging too much, consider setting a timer or alarm to remind you when to log off or pause a game, even if for only a few minutes.

Create or join a support circle because trying to break free from a habit or addiction alone might lead to wasted efforts. There are also lots of support articles, videos, classes, and spaces from gamers who went through severe burnout, you can learn how to spot signs and avoid the mistakes they made.

Steps you can implement today include:

Micro-Sabbatical Experiment

There’s a growing trend in not just the gaming ecosystem but across the internet called “Micro-sabbatical,” which involves taking extended time off from what you’d like to do less of or completely stop doing. The standard time for micro-sabbaticals is 72 hours, but this is more of a suggestion than a set rule. 

Stepping away from the casino gaming space for up to three days at a time can help you control your urges and rediscover your love for the game. Burnout is known to reduce and sometimes annihilate the quality of experiences we can enjoy. Taking a step back might be all that’s needed to help you enjoy better.

Progressive Reductions

The concept of suddenly stepping away from what we love doing might not work for most people, and can be unhealthy in some instances.

That’s why progressive reduction can be the key to helping you reduce your dependence and time spent playing games over time. The first step is to track the amount of time you spend daily or weekly, compute the average, and create your action plan. 

If you spend 5 hours daily, you can create a strategy to progressively reduce this time by 20-30 minutes per week for the next few months. You can halve the time spent in three to six months.

Gaming Is a Marathon

You cannot enjoy everything possible in a day or week, The gaming space is constantly cranking out new experiences, titles, and perks to ensure that gamers get better quality with time.

Do everything possible to ensure that you enjoy your favorite titles as much as possible without going overboard or putting yourself in a position where you are forced to take a step back. Please remember that casino gaming will always be here; there’s no need to try to play it all today.

Richard is an experienced tech journalist and blogger who is passionate about new and emerging technologies. He provides insightful and engaging content for Connection Cafe and is committed to staying up-to-date on the latest trends and developments.