Top 10 Tips to Gamble Responsibly

Gambling is one of the most popular ways people all over the world entertain themselves. However, unlike many forms of entertainment, gambling, if not done responsibly, can lead to financial and personal problems. 

Whether you love playing at a land-based casino or an online gaming site, it is important that you are in control of your gambling behaviour. In this article, we will look at the top ten tips to gamble in a safe and responsible way. 

10. Limit alcohol or drug use while gambling 

Alcohol or drugs aren’t your friends when gambling, as they can impair your judgement and lead to careless decisions. When you are highly intoxicated, you won’t be able to keep your gambling behaviour in check. 

Not only will you exhaust your bankroll fast through wrong moves, but you may also end up spending all the money you have in the bank. In that state, you will also be an ‘easy mark’ for likely predators and con artists in a brick-and-mortar casino. 

But really, if you can’t control your drinking behaviour, you shouldn’t be near casino games for real money at all.

9. Set a budget 

Perhaps having a budget is the most important way to gamble responsibly. Before playing games, decide how much you are willing to spend and lose. It should be an amount you can afford to lose and won’t cause hardship. You should also have win and loss limits. 

8. Take Regular Breaks 

Gambling can sometimes be tiring and frustrating, especially when you are on a losing streak. Yet, you need a clear head to maximise your bets and reduce your losses. When you feel yourself experiencing negative emotions like stress, depression or anxiety when gambling, it’s important to take a break. 

By stepping away, you will save yourself from incurring potential big losses. You will also have time to do other activities that will boost your mental and physical wellbeing. 

7. Set a time limit 

Apart from having proper bankroll management, you should also determine the amount of time you will spend gambling. It’s all the better if you are playing online; all you need to do is set an alarm on your mobile device. Some online casinos have responsible gambling tools on their sites that allow you to set a daily, weekly or monthly limit. 

However, you may need to wear a watch if you are visiting a land-based casino. With a time limit, you can pace yourself and avoid getting too engrossed in the games. You should always stick to your budget and time limit, even if you are on a winning streak or feeling lucky. 

6. Have fun 

The aim of gambling is to have fun. It should remain that way whether you are winning or losing. Ironically, if you crave a positive gambling experience, you must be prepared to lose. This doesn’t mean that you should have a losing mindset. But instead, have realistic expectations about your gambling activity.

While it’s common and exciting to win real money, it’s also important to know that gambling outcomes are mainly based on luck, and losing is also a natural part of the experience. With this mentality, you will be able to enjoy gambling without becoming too emotional about its outcomes. 

5. Don’t chase your losses 

When you experience a losing streak while gambling, you may be tempted to keep playing to win back the money you have lost. The best advice is don’t!

Casino games’ results are not determined by their earlier outcomes. There is no guarantee that a win will follow a streak of losses. The odds also remain the same in every round. So, you may end up spending all your cash in one sitting and still won’t be able to get your money back. 

Many people have lost their paychecks at the casino because they focused on recouping their losses. When you feel you are already losing control of your gambling behaviour due to undue emotions, simply quit playing. 

4. Don’t borrow to gamble 

Your budget shouldn’t involve other people’s money. Gambling is not an investment, and there is no reason why you should take a loan to engage in it. Besides, borrowing money to gamble is not a wise financial decision. 

Gambling is highly risky, with potential odds of losing your money. Coupled with this, you will be under pressure to pay back, which could lead to making decisions that could affect your gameplay. 

As a matter of fact, borrowing money to fuel a gambling habit can lead to a cycle of unending debt and financial hardship.

3. Don’t see gambling as a way to earn a living 

Gambling ceases to be fun when you depend on it for your next meal. As stated earlier, casino games’ outcomes are random and unpredictable. They are also mainly based on luck. Even if you are skilled in a particular game, there is no guarantee that you will win consistently.

Seeing gambling as a way of earning a living can lead to a cycle of compulsive gambling, which could be disastrous to your physical and mental wellbeing. 

2. Learn how a game works before playing 

The more knowledge you have about a casino game, the lesser your chance of making irrational moves that can further reduce your bankroll. Casino games vary on factors like themes, odds, house edges and more.

It is vital you understand your chosen game before playing it for real money. Online casinos usually offer demo versions of their games that you can play for free. With these free versions, you can learn the hang of the game before playing with actual cash.

Furthermore, don’t put much faith in betting strategies. While they may be great for organising your bets, they can’t influence the game and, most of the times, can’t increase your chances of winning.

1. Seek help 

If you ever feel you are losing control of your gambling behaviour or getting addicted to gambling, you should stop playing and seek help. These can be through support groups, therapy, guidance helplines and treatment centres.

There are several online support centres giving help to people struggling with gambling addiction. You can even self-exclude from online casinos using some responsible gambling platforms like Gamcare and BeGambleAware.