“When you’ve spent 10 hours straight writing code or configuring servers, your head turns into a brick. By the evening, you don’t just need sleep; you need to forcibly switch your brain to something completely random – something that defies logic,” says Tauhid, a Rajshahi-based systems engineer working on outsource projects.
In Rajshahi, a hub for students and techies, the IT scene is far more vibrant than it appears from the outside. Along with it, the way people “unwind” is changing: fewer loud nights out, more short digital breaks. We spoke with Tauhid about why some find it easier to switch off through randomness rather than “resting” with yet another information feed.
Why not video games or social media?
— Tauhid, there are so many ways to kill time now. Why online casinos instead of social media or heavy video games?
— On social media, you’re still consuming information: reading posts, analysing news, subconsciously arguing with someone in the comments. Video games also require control and skill, and often cause even more tension – especially team-based shooters.
For me, a casino is a territory of pure chance where the result doesn’t depend on my skill. That’s exactly what I need after a workday where everything has to be measured to the millimetre. Here, I just press a button and leave it to fate. It’s a “toggle switch” for me: a few minutes in, and my head stops arguing with deadlines.
A technical look at the platform
— As a specialist, you surely look at games differently than a regular user. What do you notice first?
— Oh, it’s a professional hazard. I instantly see how the front-end is optimised. If a slot “flies,” the animations are smooth, and the interface doesn’t lag on a smartphone when switching tabs, it means the developers didn’t skimp on good code and decent servers.
For me, stability is at least a sign that the platform wasn’t built in someone’s backyard. If a site constantly lags or throws errors during a Live dealer session, I won’t play there. Good software is expensive; if a platform has invested in it, it means they plan to be around for the long haul and value their reputation. In Rajshahi, many of us test the technical side of a site before even making a deposit.
Financial discipline and bKash
— Let’s talk money. How expensive is this hobby for someone living in Bangladesh?
— I have a strict rule: I spend no more than 5% of my net salary on gaming. I treat it like a paid entertainment service – similar to a software subscription or a meal at a nice café.
I run everything through my MFS wallet; it’s easier to keep the process under control. Deposits are usually instant, and while withdrawals might take a bit longer, there’s no sense of it being a lottery. If my wallet looks healthier at the end of the evening – brilliant. If not, I don’t get upset. I’ve bought myself two hours of relaxation, and that’s worth the money. The key is never to “chase losses” if today’s limit is reached. IT folks are usually quite disciplined; we’re used to working within system constraints.
Data security
— As someone who works with networks, what is your security advice for beginners?
There’s a lot of noise regarding phishing right now; fakes and “lookalike” pages are common. My main advice: never enter your details, and certainly not your PIN codes, on suspicious pages. Use Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) wherever possible. If a site looks “dodgy” or requires strange actions during payment – leave. In Rajshahi, we value our privacy, and in the online world, that’s Rule No. 1.
— What games are currently popular in your circles?
— We like things that run fast. Crash games like Aviator are a hit because they are dynamic. We also respect Live Roulette; you can see the dealer working in real-time, which adds a layer of trust to the process.
“Sometimes I don’t need a miracle or a jackpot,” Tauhid admits. “I just need to see the reels spin smoothly without freezes or lags. It means the world around me is still in order, the code works, and I can kick that work server out of my head for at least half an hour. In those moments, even a bKash balance that’s gone up by a few thousand takas feels less like a win and more like a bug report closed in my favour.”