How to gamble online when you’re bored
It’s a familiar scenario. You’re at home (bored), you don’t have anything to do. You’re tired of doomscrolling and there’s nothing new on Netflix. Now what?
Well, you could always gamble online, right? Better than sitting around doing nothing and being bored?
Mm, yes and no. Gambling online always delivers plenty of entertainment, but if you log on just because you’re super bored, you probably won’t enjoy it as much as you normally do. Even worse, if you take listless, lethargic energy into the casino with you, you run the risk of making reckless, expensive decisions just to inject some excitement into your life. And that’s not good for either you or your bankroll.
So what, now you must just sit and do nothing? Not necessarily. If you’re bored, you can still log onto your online casino and get your gaming on – you just need to have a few practical strategies and mindset checks in place to make sure you’re gambling responsibly throughout. So let’s look at a few rules and non-negotiables first, and get some fun going!
When bored, Ask yourself why you’re gambling online
Before you rush ahead into placing that first bet, let’s do a sense check. Why exactly are you gambling online in the first place? Are you looking for entertainment and excitement, or are you just completely bored and looking for something, anything to do?
You might not see a difference between the two, but it’s there and it’s subtle. If you’re looking for entertainment, you’re actively seeking out activities and pursuits, which is a positive move. If you’re just bored and indifferent, you’re taking a more passive role, which could ultimately lead to autopilot betting, chasing wins, or spending more than you can afford, all in an effort to feel something. Which isn’t a great way to spend your time or your money.
Now, if you are ‘just bored’, don’t worry, you can still get your game on. But before you do, you’ll need awareness about your motives, and a plan for your game play. Which is where we come in!
Rule #1 when bored: Never gamble ‘just because’
Always remember – gambling is entertainment, nothing more, nothing less. It’s not a way to cure your boredom, and it’s not a replacement for social interaction, physical activity, or meaningful pastimes. If you use online gambling to escape from life, rather than add sparkle to life, things will start going downhill for you pretty fast.
Don’t look at gambling as a default option when there’s nothing else to do. It’s an activity in its own right, one that deserves the same focus and mental investment as your other interests. If you let yourself fall into the trap of only gambling when you’re bored, it’ll lose its excitement factor pretty quickly. Instead, treat it the same way as you would your other hobbies. Approach it with enthusiasm and zest, and win or lose, you’ll always find it to be a rewarding, satisfying experience.
Rule #2 when bored: Get yourself ready before you play
We don’t mean you need to dress up – although if you do want to get yourself looking all fancy then please, go ahead and slay! What we actually mean by ‘get yourself ready’ though is setting the scene for your gambling so that you’re playing from a meaningful, intentional space, both literally and figuratively.
So, what does that look like? Well, it doesn’t involve just flopping down on the couch and betting mindlessly (sorry if that’s what you were planning on doing!). Instead, it means treating your gambling as a conscious entertainment choice, by:
Choosing the right place: Where will you feel most comfortable and relaxed – your living room, your bedroom, your patio, your poolside? Find the place that’s guaranteed to help you maximise your enjoyment of gambling, and make that your casino space.
Choosing the right time
We know you probably want to play RIGHT NOW, but think about how you’re feeling. If it’s close to bedtime and you’re tired, it’s not the best time to start risking your money. Set aside time when you’re most likely to be focused and clear-headed, and you’ll be in the right frame of mind to place your bets.
Setting a budget: Don’t just rush into placing your bets without thinking about your bankroll first. You know how important sound financial management is, so stick to your guns, and your limits. Before you start betting, decide upfront how much you can afford to spend during your session, and don’t go over that amount.
Creating a vibe: You’ve got the right place, right time, and right budget. Now all you need is the right vibe! Grab a snack, put on some tunes, and settle in – it’s time to get your game on!
It might sound like overkill (all this just to gamble online, really??) but there’s a good reason for it. By treating your gambling as an active choice rather than a default decision, you’re less likely to make risky, expensive wagers, and more likely to get maximum value from it. Which is the whole point!
Rule #3: Keep your sessions short and sweet when bored
Really? Shorter rather than longer? Does that actually matter?
Honestly, yes. When you don’t stay fully dialed into your gambling sessions, you often keep playing far longer than you should just to fight boredom. And while on the face of it that doesn’t sound too bad, playing without purpose over an extended period of time can lead to overspending and poor decision-making. Which can have a significant impact on your bankroll, and not in a good way.
So how do you stop yourself from gambling online in a session that never ends? Try these tips:
Set a timer for yourself, say either 30 or 45 minutes. Once that notification sounds, you’re done for the day.
Take regular breaks to stretch, have a (non-alcoholic) drink, and touch some grass, as the kids say.
Stop playing the moment you feel the fun fizzling out. Because if you’re not enjoying yourself anymore, what’s the point?
Keep your sessions short, and the experience will be sweet!
Rule #4: Try something new
Nothing’s guaranteed to make you even more bored than grinding away mindlessly at the same game with zero to little success. Why even bother? If it’s because it’s a game you’re just used to playing, that’s not a good enough reason. Plus it’ll end up making you even more bored than you already are. No thanks!
Instead, use your time at the casino to try something new. If you want to ‘feel something’, have a crack at a game you’ve never tried before, and give yourself a challenge in the best way possible. Whether you use your time to take a spin on a new slot, sit down to a new table game, or check out live dealer or game show-style games for the first time, this is your opportunity to sit back and explore.
Don’t make your gambling into yet another boring part of your day – turn it into a voyage of discovery instead!
Rule #5: Check in with yourself
Are you truly bored, or does that boredom cover up something you’d rather avoid? We’re not here to psychoanalyse you, but boredom can sometimes point to deeper feelings like frustration, loneliness, or even mild stress. And gambling when you’re in a negative frame of mind puts you at a greater risk of chasing your wins or ignoring your limits.
A quick self-check is all you need to examine your motives:
Are you feeling restless but relaxed? (Good)
Are you feeling irritable, lonely, or down? (Not so good)
If you’re feeling the former, your game play and decision-making should be fine. If it’s the latter though, you don’t want to risk it. Rather come back when you’re in a more positive space. There’s got to be something you haven’t seen on Netflix yet!
Being honest with yourself about your intentions can be hugely valuable. And can be the difference between a session you enjoy, and one you regret.
Rule #6: Budget for your boredom
We never miss a chance to promote effective financial management, and boredom is the perfect opportunity for some more bankroll tips!
If you’ve got some extra cash and you feel like placing a few bets, set yourself an actual ‘boredom budget’ to play with. Make sure it’s separate from your primary gambling bankroll. And you won’t run the risk of eating into your regular funds. That’s responsible gambling right there!
Here’s what we mean:
Let’s say your regular gambling budget is $200 per month.
>Going forward, set aside $20 of that for your ‘boredom budget’.
lass=”yoast-text-mark” />>When you’re feeling restless and need something to do, you’ll have a budget ready and waiting for you to use.
lass=”yoast-text-mark” />>As long as you stick to your $20 limit, your extra gambling won’t affect your regular budget in any way – which is an instant win!
You’ll be able to take part in an activity you enjoy, and you’ll have peace of mind at the same time – the perfect way to play.
Rule #7: Turn your gambling into a social event
You might feel bored because loneliness and isolation set i. And gambling alone can deepen that void even more. In order to give you the connection you’re really looking for, turn your gambling from solo to social and get that real, human interaction you’ve been craving!
Here’s how:
Try inviting a friend of yours to take part in a multi-player game with you, like Poker.
>Sit down to a live dealer game and take part in the chat with the croupier and other players.
>Follow and interact with casino groups on Reddit forums or Discord.
>Sign up for a casino tournament and join in the real-time excitement.
>Check to see if your online casino has a community page or forum, and sign up to chat if it does.
These days gambling online doesn’t mean you have to play on your own. There are numerous choices out there that encourage social interaction and connection – explore these and your online gambling could become fulfilling in ways you never dreamt of!
Rule #8: Make sure you have a plan for your wins and losses
You feel bored, you gamble, your mind wanders, and you stop paying attention to how much you win or lose. You’re just placing bets regardless. Congrats – you’ve just found the quickest way to blow through your bankroll! (Please note – not actual advice!!)
Playing without a plan in place means you’re not really connected to the results of your gambling. And while gambling is all about fun, not outcomes, you still need to be strategic about your wins and losses in order to maintain responsible gambling behaviour.
So how do you stay mindful and ensure you don’t switch to auto-pilot halfway through your session?
If you win: Celebrate it! That’s what winning’s all about after all. Your successes, even if small, still deserve to be acknowledged – both in the casino and in life as well. You can even go so far as to withdraw a portion of your winnings, just to make them more ‘real’. It’s your money and you earned it – now enjoy it!
If you lose: No worries – it’s part of gambling and it happens to everyone. The trick is to accept the outcome with a level head, and not use it as an excuse to spiral. If you assign emotions to your loss, such as guilt, shame or frustration, you’ll run the risk of trying to chase your losses back, which is the last thing you should be doing. Instead, end your session and do something else. The casino will still be there tomorrow!
Having a plan for your wins and losses helps to make your experience feel complete and planned out, and even though these strategies are simple, they’ll give your session more value.
Rule #9: Find an alternative
You want to gamble when bored, but you also don’t want to risk your own money. You just want to do SOMETHING that feels exciting. We get you – and well done on not simply rushing into betting out of boredom. It’s still entirely possible to enjoy peak entertainment value from online gambling without actually spending any of your own money.
Here’s how:
Play for free. Remember free play? It still exists, even if you haven’t used it for a while. Take a look at your casino’s demo games, try out a few games you haven’t played before. And use virtual credits to replicate the casino experience without risking your own bankroll.
Join social casino apps. These are a thing too, and worth taking a look at if you’re new to the idea. Try out platforms like Slotomania, House of Fun or more, and enjoy a wide variety of casino games, all for free.
Watch casino streamers: Just as you can watch gaming streamers, you can watch gambling streamers too – and it’s more entertaining than you might think. Check out the action on Twitch and YouTube – you might learn something new!
Play non-casino games: There are plenty of ways to scratch the gaming itch without spending money. Mobile puzzle games, strategy apps, and even trivia games can help keep your mind occupied and give you the challenge you’re looking for.
The convenience of the internet and the huge range of apps keep boredom away and let you enjoy quality gaming without spending money. Then when you’re ready to place real money wagers, the casino will be waiting to welcome you!
Rule #10: Remember there’s more to life than gambling
Wait, WHAT?? We’re being facetious, obviously, but it never hurts to remember that at the end of the day, gambling is just one of many pastimes available. And if you find yourself choosing it as a boredom buster more often than not, it may be time to look elsewhere for entertainment.
We’re not telling you to stop gambling completely (unless you feel like you should) – we’re just saying that it’s important to have a wide, diverse range of interests. It just makes you a more well-rounded human being.
You can find plenty of alternatives to gambling, try these:
Watching a documentary and learning something new.
Going for a short walk, or trying a 15-minute yoga session.
Calling or texting a friend you haven’t spoken to for a while.
Cooking up something delicious in the kitchen.
Watching KPop Demon Hunters (we hear it’s really good).
Or any one of a thousand other ideas. Boredom gives you the perfect chance to expand your entertainment horizons, because there’s so much to explore and experience. Plus it’s a great way of making sure that gambling stays a treat, rather than a habit. It’s all about keeping that spark alive!
Beat the boredom blues today
Remember, when boredom hits, you can turn to gambling as a way to pass the time. Just stay mindful of how you approach it. As long as your head is in the right space and you’re playing with intention. You’ll get maximum value out of your session no matter what the outcome. Because when you’re playing for the right reasons, fun is sure to follow!