Responsible Gaming Tips & Best Practices

Whether you’re an experienced bettor or new to it, learning how to wager smartly and responsibly is very important.

Bankroll management is critical

Before placing any bets, it is important to determine how much you are able to budget toward gambling overall. This betting budget is known as a “bankroll” and needs to be an amount that you can afford to lose completely without any impact on your financial health.

Never chase losses

One of the most common at-risk gambling behaviors is “chasing” losses, which involves betting more (more bets and/or larger amounts) in an attempt to win back what was lost. Some bettors will rationalize this as feeling “due” for a win. However, bettors often lose the additional wagers too. As those losses compound, some end up losing more than they can afford, resulting in financial problems. Therefore, you should never chase losses; simply accept them as the cost of entertainment and move on.

Don’t bet under the influence

You should never bet while under the influence. Your decision-making skills and risk-assessment abilities are critically important when betting, so it’s important to only bet with a clear mind.

Learn the rules beforehand

Be sure to have a strong understanding of the rules of the games you’re playing. Be sure to do research beforehand to avoid surprises.

Never borrow to bet

If you don’t have the funds needed to gamble, you should not be betting in the first place. Betting with borrowed money to gamble is extremely risky and can result in debts that you are unable to pay.

Avoid gambling in a highly emotional state

Feeling stressed? Upset? Anxious? If the answer to any of these is “yes,” you should not be gambling. Highly emotional states can make it difficult to evaluate risk clearly and properly.

Your financial wellbeing should never depend on gambling

Gambling should be seen as a form of entertainment, not a profit-making activity. The outcome of your bets should not ever affect your ability to pay bills or afford basic life expenses. Only gamble with extra discretionary funds that can be lost fully without any impact on your finances.

Signs of a Gambling Problem

It’s important to know the common warning signs of a potential gambling problem so you can keep an eye out for them in yourself, a friend or family member.

• Inability to stop or cut back: When someone has tried to stop or reduce their betting but finds themselves unable to do so.

• Increased risk amounts: If a person begins to bet more frequently or increases the amount of money they are risking to reach the same level of excitement.

• Borrowing money: An individual with a gambling problem may attempt to borrow money to fund their betting activities because they have lost all of their own.

• Impact on other parts of life: Someone struggling to control their betting may neglect other responsibilities such as work, school or family obligations in favor of gambling.

• Preoccupation with betting: Constantly thinking or talking about gambling can be a sign that it has become compulsive and crossed the line into an unhealthy behavior that needs to be addressed.

• Chasing losses: Betting more in hopes of recouping losses from previous bets.

• Hiding or lying about betting activity: An individual struggling to control their sports betting may feel the need to lie about it or hide it from others, often due to feelings of shame or embarrassment about their behavior.

• Betting as an escape from problems or negative feelings

• Restless or irritable when trying to cut down on gambling or stop completely

Problem Gambling Help & Treatment

Birches Health is the leading provider of specialized care for problem gambling nationwide, offering online treatment from the comfort of home, covered by insurance. Birches’ counselors are specially trained and certified to help individuals on their path to recovery from gambling addiction. To connect with Birches, you can click here or email help@bircheshealth.com.

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a national network of local crisis centers that provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call or text 988 at any time.