Guide to Responsible Gambling: Tips, Warning Signs, and Support Resources

Discover how to understand gambling better and engage in it with responsibility.

How to gamble responsibly

Millions globally find gambling a pleasurable pastime, and the majority are content with their expenditure. However, a minority fall into problem gambling, which can have detrimental effects on their lives. Therefore, grasping the concept of responsible gambling and treating it solely as a form of entertainment is crucial.

Here are some guidelines on how you can gamble responsibly:

Always use gambling as a means of entertainment. While there are people who are professional gamblers, it’s tough to find an edge in the gambling world for regular people like me and you. For most of us, gambling should be treated as an extra expense to have some fun and enjoy ourselves, the same way you might go out to dinner occasionally but wouldn’t be able to eat out for every meal.

Never gamble what you can’t afford to lose. It can be very easy to get caught up in the moment of gambling for real money and lose sight of how much you are risking. But it’s important to gamble only money you are willing to lose and never bet money you need for your day-to-day living.

Don’t chase your losses. This is probably the biggest thing that people do wrong. Chasing losses is a sure way to increase your probability of even more significant loss. Try to set yourself an amount you are willing to gamble; if you lose that, call it a day.

Set yourself a bankroll and stick to it. An excellent way to approach gambling is to set aside a certain amount of money and then only use that for gambling. You can then limit your risk by only betting a percentage of this bankroll each time you play. So, let’s say you have $2,000 in your bankroll. You could wager $20 with bonus buys and try to increase this amount gradually. If you get up to $4,000, you can splash around a little and bet more significant amounts, but in contrast, if you lose money, you’ll want to start betting lower amounts.

Set up limits on your accounts. Almost all casinos and sportsbooks these days will allow you to set up deposit, wager, and betting limits to help you manage your gambling. These tools help you lose less when you aren’t running hot.

Don’t gamble while under the influence. We all know that drinking alcohol loosens our inhibitions and opens us up to being more risk-averse in all kinds of ways, and gambling is no exception. Gambling while drunk can impair your judgment, so just like you wouldn’t drive your car home after a heavy night of drinking, don’t take risks with your money. There’s nothing worse than waking up with a hangover and a gambling loss.

Don’t let gambling interfere with your lifestyle. If you find yourself skipping work or missing out on family time due to your gambling, it’s time for something to change.

Keep a log of the money and time you spend gambling. We should want to be doing things to better our lives and financial positions, so keep track of how long you spend gambling and whether you are winning or losing. Do this over a month or so, and then sit down and honestly assess whether gambling is the best choice for you.

Seek help if you think your gambling is causing you problems. Many people experience gambling issues, and while it might be hard to come to terms with having some form of addiction, you aren’t alone. There are plenty of resources to speak to professionals to help you get your life back on track. Visit BeGambleAware, Gamblers Anonymous, Gameare, and Gam-Anon to learn more.

Staying in control

Gambling can provide a rush, but when the pursuit of winning becomes an unhealthy fixation, negatively affecting your finances and life, it’s time for a change.

Individuals with gambling issues often experience a relentless compulsion to place bets despite the adverse effects it has on their lives.

Warning signs you might have a problem with gambling

You can’t quit gambling even when you’re ahead.

You spend money you can’t afford to lose on your gambling habits.

You lose interest in things you usually like to do.

You neglect basic things like work, personal hygiene, and other responsibilities.

You chase losses in an attempt to get yourself out of the financial position you are in from gambling.

You find you need to borrow money from your bank, friends, and family to fund your gambling.

You’ve become secretive about your gambling losses and finances with close ones.

You have a constant need or urge to gamble.

Gambling addictions

Casinos and sports betting sites are strategically designed to evoke deep-seated emotions that urge you to gamble. This gambling stimulates your brain’s reward system, potentially leading to physical dependencies, much like nicotine or alcohol. Therefore, it’s clear that gambling possesses a strong addictive potential.

If you recognize in yourself an addictive personality, it’s essential to understand that gambling may pose significant risks for you. The more you engage, the more you’re likely to risk financially and temporally.

Managing your impulses and actively seeking assistance when necessary are crucial steps in personal development and breaking free from gambling’s grip.

In essence, if you find yourself addicted to gambling, it’s imperative to halt. You may convince yourself that one major win will be enough for you to stop, but the allure of continuing to gamble will persist.

Preventing and managing gambling problems

Several strategies are available to either cease gambling altogether or, at the very least, reduce your spending and exert greater control over your gambling habits than you currently do.

Track your spending

Many casinos and sports betting websites now allow you to view your total deposits and withdrawal amounts. This is an excellent way to see how much you win or lose.

From personal experience, depositing different amounts during a week and making some withdrawals after winning can make it hard to track whether I’ve won or lost money.

So keeping track of these things, even in a simple document on something like Google Docs, is a great way to view your spending habits.

It’s a good idea to track how much time you dedicate to gambling because time is invaluable. Unlike money, it’s irreplaceable regardless of your wins or losses. If you find yourself gambling for over 20 hours a week and facing losses, consider the additional benefits you could reap by investing that time into something more productive for your life.

Take time away from gambling

Gambling can be pretty exhausting. The highs and lows of winning and losing your hard-earned money can be physically and mentally tiring. So why not take some time away from gambling and concentrate on something else for a while?

Try replacing your gambling time with another more productive pastime, such as learning a new skill, reading, reconnecting with friends, or relaxing with a new Netflix series.

Self exclude

You can use the tools at casinos and sportsbooks to self-exclude from their services for set amounts of time.

So, if you have a few websites, log in, go to your account area, and set up the time-out feature for a few days or even a couple of weeks.

If you want to take things to the next level, you can even self-ban yourself from the casino or sportsbook, and you’ll not be allowed to play there again.

Get help from your bank

In recognition of the widespread issue of gambling, the banking industry has implemented measures to assist individuals in curbing their gambling habits.

If you’re seeking additional support to stop gambling, consider contacting your bank. They can assist in preventing any transactions directed toward gambling companies.

Get more support

Numerous organizations worldwide are dedicated to assisting individuals grappling with gambling issues. Regardless of your location, you can connect with real people and discuss your challenges.

Initiating a conversation with these support groups marks a significant move toward a fresh start and discovering how to embrace happiness without depending on gambling in the days ahead.

Frequently asked questions

What is problem gambling?

Gambling in a manner that jeopardizes or impairs your relationships, personal health, or enjoyment of hobbies indicates a severe issue.

You might find yourself betting beyond your financial means and feeling an irresistible urge to continue gambling. If you’re struggling with gambling, you may notice an increasing fixation with betting and changes in your behavior, including signs of anxiety, depression, irritability, and anger. Recognizing these patterns is crucial for seeking help and making changes.

Am I a gambling addict?

Do you find yourself short of money because of your gambling? Do you lack money for bills and your lifestyle due to losing money while gambling? Have you stopped doing things you would typically do in your day-to-day life because of your gambling habits?

If you answer ‘yes’ to any of these questions, it’s possible you have a gambling issue and might benefit from seeking additional support.

How do I stop gambling?

Quitting gambling is a challenging endeavor; however, you have numerous resources available to assist you on your journey forward.

The first steps we can recommend are self-excluding from your casinos or sportsbooks, discussing with your bank the possibility of halting transactions to gambling platforms, and engaging with a support organization to talk about your gambling behavior.

How do you get help stopping gambling?

You can speak to organizations such as Gamblers Anonymous, Gambling Therapy, BeGambleAware, and many others, which we list (hyperlinks).

How do I ban myself from gambling?

You can contact your casino and sportsbook support teams and ask to be removed from their services altogether.

If you reside in the UK, you can use the Gamban and Betfiler services to stop you from being able to access casino and betting websites on your devices.