Balancing Christmas Cookies and Casino Games

By Jane Shaw Senior Editor Updated: 12/20/2023

Jane Shaw Senior Editor See Full Bio

We count on Jane to inform our readers about the latest slot games in the US market. With her passion for video games and a degree in engineering, she’s our gambling tech expert. Jane’s also active in our blog section, where she tackles the curiosities and changes in the industry.

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Christmas Casinos

• Why Apps Don’t Help
• A Nightmare Before Slotmas
• Tips to Sleigh the Play Responsibly
• Know Yourself
• Know the Signs and the Elve’s Tools
• Conclusion – Merry Gaming

Learning how to maximize fun while minimizing consequences is a lifelong quest we’re all on. Around the holidays it’s more obvious what happens if money has been spent in the wrong places – one sign of gambling compulsion is that money just becomes a number with no value, so let the holidays ground you and show that it does. With the right tools and mindset, you can get the best out of Christmas casino promotions and eat your cookies too.

If you’re anything like me, you might find that all the excitement around the holidays can feed into a stronger urge to gamble ^[1]. Maybe it’s just the extra magic in the air, but I catch myself pulling out my phone to spin reels more often than during other times of the year.Whether you’re wondering what to do on Christmas day without family or facing the thrill and stress of seeing relatives, you can enjoy the holidays and play without gambling too much.

You’re on Your Phone Again – Why Apps Don’t Help

Mobile app gambling is on the rise; nearly a 3rd of all players say that access to mobile devices influences how much they gamble^[2]. Easy access to casino apps can be one fun way to unwind during in-between moments during the holidays, but if you’re getting comments from your loved ones about your phone usage, you might need help cutting down.

I’ve learned that just telling myself that I’ll stop doing something doesn’t work for me, but if I make a structural change in my environment that supports better habits, I’m often more successful in changing them. An easy way to keep more of your attention on those you care for is to limit iGaming to your desktop or mobile browser.

Having to go to a physical desk to gamble can create a healthy boundary, and even if you just delete the apps and keep the gambling to your mobile browser, having to type in the site on your phone gives you an extra moment to consider if now is the right moment to do so. Apps like Gamban and BetBlocker can also support you in reducing the digital spaces you use to gamble; once downloaded on your phone, they block you from a frequently updated list of gambling apps and sites.

A Nightmare Before Slotmas

‘Twas the night before Christmas, when not a creature was stirring all through the house, except for a late-night gambler, me. I was stressed by holiday spending, and maybe some part of me thought that I could get some free money by spinning reels.

I wagered first $50 and then $200 on slots, and by some miracle, won 4k on a Christmas casino-themed game. And then I lost it instead of pulling out. I should have stepped away, but I couldn’t accept my loss, and within minutes I was 5k in debt. Christmas morning was heavy with this secret on my chest.

My guilt over that loss led to a few more irresponsible gambling incidents over the next few months until I regained control with the help of outside support. I learned that the moment you think you’re immune to losing control is the moment when you’re most vulnerable to doing exactly that.

This is my cautionary tale to you, but if you’re wondering what to do on Christmas Eve and your favorite game comes to mind, you probably won’t end up like me. Ironically, if you always keep in mind that you too are at risk for problem gambling, this cautiousness can help you avoid it.

Keeping it Jolly – Tips to Sleigh the Play Responsibly

Around Christmas, casinos can drop some pretty juicy promotions, and if you can navigate how holiday excitement and stress interact with your urge to play, you can safely take advantage of them. You can learn how to gamble responsibly by thinking consciously, actively using preventative measures against compulsive gambling, and recognizing the signs of a problem.

Know Yourself

Start to keep track of when you’re most likely to overdo it. What moods, situations, or times of year make it more likely for you to engage in riskier gambling behavior? What types of risky behaviors do you do most frequently in these moments? Whether you’re a chase losses on Christmas Eve kind of person like me, or a place large bets after receiving a work bonus kind of guy, knowing your own patterns and moments of vulnerability is the first step to learning how to avoid a gambling addiction.

Know the Signs and the Elve’s Tools

On top of knowing the behaviors common to compulsive gambling, having an idea of what kinds of practical support and tools there are can help you play responsibly. These are some tools that I and other players with problem gambling experience have tried and found to be useful:

These are tips for people who are wondering how to avoid gambling addiction. If you have a more serious problem, you need to find more comprehensive and strategic support. You can find peer-to-peer support, counselors, therapists, and programs tailored to your needs through the national hotline 1-800-GAMBLER^[3].

Conclusion – Merry Gaming and Happy Christmas

Gambling responsibly is what lets you enjoy both the game and all that the holidays have to offer. Around Christmas, casinos frequently host Christmas-themed games, with the best online casinos often offering special promotions. I suggest you use this time of cheer to practice balance; you can try a new slot in a calm moment between family gatherings instead of ignoring your family to play.