Safer Gambling

📋 Responsible Gambling Guidelines

Follow these essential guidelines to ensure your gambling remains safe, enjoyable, and within your control:

• Only gamble with money you can afford to lose
• Set a budget before you start gambling and stick to it
• Set time limits for your gambling sessions
• Never chase your losses by increasing bets or spending more time gambling
• Take regular breaks from gambling activities
• Don't gamble when you're upset, depressed, or under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• Keep gambling fun - if it stops being enjoyable, take a break
• Maintain a healthy balance between gambling and other life activities
• Be aware of the odds and understand that the house always has an edge
• Consider gambling as entertainment, not as a way to make money

🚨 Warning Signs of Problem Gambling

Be aware of these warning signs that may indicate gambling is becoming a problem:

• Spending more money on gambling than you can afford
• Gambling for longer periods than intended
• Lying about gambling activities or losses
• Borrowing money to gamble or pay gambling debts
• Neglecting work, family, or social responsibilities due to gambling
• Feeling anxious, depressed, or irritable when not gambling
• Chasing losses with bigger bets
• Using gambling as an escape from problems or negative feelings
• Inability to stop gambling despite wanting to
• Family or friends expressing concern about your gambling

🎯 Self-Assessment Questions

Ask yourself these questions honestly to evaluate your gambling behavior:

• Do you gamble more than you planned to?
• Have you ever lied about your gambling activities?
• Do you feel the need to gamble with increasing amounts of money?
• Have you tried to cut back on gambling but been unable to?
• Do you gamble to escape problems or relieve feelings of helplessness?
• Have you borrowed money or sold possessions to finance gambling?
• Has gambling caused problems in your relationships?
• Do you think about gambling frequently when not playing?

If you answered "yes" to several of these questions, you may have a gambling problem and should seek professional help.