Five Tips for Managing Online In-game Spending: From Candy Crush to Online Casinos - Have Fun and Play Responsibly Posted May 10, 2023
Playing online games is very fun. It’s a hobby that has gained a lot of fame, especially since crypto casinos became relevant because now you can increase your earnings while entertaining yourself.
However, you might be vulnerable to overspending, even if you claim a bonus or take advantage of a holiday sale. In the article, you’ll learn what you must know to guarantee you’re a responsible gambler.
Why You Should Manage In-game Spending
Game companies rely on behavioral psychology to stimulate you into making purchases. The monetization system has worked so well that now all types of online games use it.
According to different studies, the probability of spending while you’re playing has nothing to do with the time you spend gaming.
In other words, there are other things to worry about when it comes to problematic gaming. Without meaning to, you might end up spending more money than you intended.
Most gamblers don’t meet the criteria for addiction. Even so, anyone who plays is vulnerable to impulsive purchases or unplanned spending while they’re enjoying a few gaming sessions.
The gaming industry calls the purchases ‘micro-transactions.’ They receive that name since usually, single virtual items don’t cost much.
Nonetheless, in most cases, some bundles allow you to advance in the game. Therefore, you might end up spending more money.
Microtransactions can quickly become hundreds off your pocket. In at least one case, they’ve added up to more than 1 million dollars.
At the same time, children and teenagers are the most vulnerable to these microtransactions because they cannot control their impulses.
People with a history of problematic gambling could also be at risk, which is a problem too. Therefore, learning to protect yourself and your assets from spending too much is an essential aspect of being a responsible player.
You Don’t Need to Spend Too Much Time Playing to Be a Spender
As the article mentioned, playing for a long time doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll spend more money on the game.
Persuasive design targets all players, especially those who are most vulnerable. These strategies are so effective that some companies have patented their monetization methods.
Furthermore, ‘free-to-play’ games are often full of these tactics, which will persuade players into making in-game purchases. Some of the most common strategies are:
- Saying it’s a limited-time offer
- Interrupting your game to make an offer
- Placing a countdown timer on your screen
- Making a purchase unavoidable if you want to advance in the game.
Moreover, researchers have found that many monetization systems will mislead players into believing they’ll be able to improve. In most cases, they’re not transparent when it comes to their effectiveness.
Five Tips to Manage Your Spending
Spending while you’re playing could be a severe issue, especially if you’re already on a budget. Being able to manage your finances is essential to be a responsible gambler, so here are five tips to achieve it:
Budget
The first thing to keep in mind is that you need to have a budget and stick to it. You’re more likely to overspend if you don’t have a plan, so you need an idea of how much (if any) money you’re willing to invest.
You could, for example, set a specific amount in your PayPal account. Therefore, you’ll have a specific budget to work with.
In some cases, you might have trouble sticking to the budget you set for yourself. However, with time, you’ll get used to not overspending.
Everyone struggles at first, particularly if they’ve overspent before or already engage in problematic gaming behaviors. Nonetheless, don’t worry - with time, you’ll be able to handle things in a better way.
Only Spend Money If There’s a Sale
Another rule you can set for yourself is to only spend money while there are sales. Mind you, if you’re going with this strategy, you have to be very careful because some games have offers all the time.
In other cases, though, games only offer special sales once or twice a year. You could imagine you’re giving yourself a treat - you’ll get the opportunity to access (possibly) exclusive in-game content, and you’ll do it without overspending.
Look for Coupons and Discounts
Another way to keep yourself in check when it comes to in-game purchases is to only buy something when it has a discount.
Taking advantage of coupons is also a fantastic idea, although they might not be as common depending on the games you play.
On some occasions, you might be tempted to buy things even if your favorite game is not on sale. If that’s the case, add it to your shopping list and wait.
Swap with Friends and Family
It’s a lesser-known tip, but you might find some discussion posts where people swap games they don’t like for others they love.
If you’ve always wanted to try a specific game, this could be the ideal way to do it without spending a penny. However, you’ll need to make sure the person who offers the deal is legit.
Usually, they are since they’re just as interested as you to try something new.
Share Before Buying
Think about your friends and family. They might also enjoy gaming and gambling, and they could have coupons, discounts, or access to the game you want.
Ask them if they’re able to share in-game stuff with you before spending any money. Maybe one of them opened an account in a crypto casino and they don’t use it anymore but still have some coins. You can take advantage of that!
Final Thoughts
Managing your spending habits could be challenging, especially if you have a history of breaking the bank. However, it's possible if you follow the previously mentioned tips.
It might take some time, but you'll be able to control your in-game purchases as long as you stick to your budget and only allow yourself to spend money on special occasions. You'll still be able to have fun while playing!
