Tips For Safer Gambling

For those who choose to gamble, there are some general principles that can help to make gambling safer and reduce the risk that problems will occur.

Don’t think of gambling as a way to make money: The bottom line is that gambling establishments, like land based casinos, are set up to take in more money than they pay out. This means over time, you will lose more money than you win. But, remember it’s not just casinos, all forms of gambling operate on the same principle - the vast majority loses, so that a very small minority can have big wins. Virtually all people with gambling problems hold the false expectation that they are the ones who will be the big winners. That belief feeds the problem.

Always gamble with money that you can afford to lose: Gamble with money that you set aside for fun, like going to the movies or going out for drinks. Never use money that you need for more important things, like rent, bills, tuition, etc,

Set a money limit: Decide how much money you can afford to lose before you play. When you have lost that amount of money, quit. If you win – enjoy, but remember it won’t happen most of the time.

Set a time limit. Decide how much time you can afford to spend gambling. When you reach that time limit, stop gambling.

Never chase losses. If you lose money, never try to get it back by going over your limit. This usually leads to even bigger losses.

Don’t gamble when you are depressed or upset: It is hard to make good decisions when you are feeling down or upset about something.

Balance gambling with other activities: It’s important to enjoy other activities so that gambling doesn’t become too big a part of your life.