How to Gamble Responsibly

Here are some key tips to help you gamble responsibly:

Treat gambling as a source of entertainment rather than a source of income - Some people make a living as professional gamblers, but they are few and far between. For many it should not be considered a source of income.

Never bet outside of your means - Only gamble with a set amount of money that you can afford to lose. Never bet with money you need for rent, bills, food or other necessities.

Bet 1% of your bankroll at a time - It helps some people to set a bankroll for the season. Then increase your stakes gradually if you are making an overall profit, or decrease them if you are down.

Set a money limit in advance - If you are going to the races or visiting a casino, make sure you are gambling money you can afford to lose. If you make a profit, that is great. But do not exceed the pre-determined amount if luck has not been on your side.

Never chase your losses - This can cause you to act irrationally and incur greater losses.

Try to take regular breaks between gambling - If you lose, walk away, assess what went wrong, regroup and return with a clear head. You can lose perspective if you gamble continuously, so breaks are crucial.

Do not gamble when drunk - This can negatively impact upon your judgement and impair your ability to make sensible decisions.

Do not gamble when you are depressed, angry or upset - This can also negatively impact your ability to make clear decisions.

Try to bet from a position of knowledge - Arm yourself with a wealth of information about the sport you are wagering on, and make educated guesses. If you are playing slots or table games, build up an extensive knowledge of how the game works.

Do not let gambling interfere with daily responsiblities - Never skip work to gamble, and do not let it interfere with your relationships and your family life.

Make sure gambling is not your only interest or hobby - Balance it with other pursuits.

Keep track of the time and money spent - Use diaries and bet trackers to keep track of your time and money spent gambling.

Seek help if you believe gambling has become a problem - There are a number of free resources you can access for support, including BeGambleAware, Gamblers Anonymous, GamCare and Gam-Anon.