Responsible Gambling

Treat it as entertainment

Gambling should be entertainment. It is not a way to make money, and it is not a way to handle financial trouble or difficult feelings. The safest approach is to treat whatever you spend the way you would treat the price of a cinema ticket: money you do not expect to see again.

• Set a budget and a time limit before you start, and stick to both
• Only ever gamble with money you can afford to lose
• Never chase losses. Extending a bad session is how small losses become large ones
• Take regular breaks and don't gamble while stressed or under the influence
• Use operator tools: deposit limits, reality checks, time-outs, and self-exclusion

Know the warning signs

Gambling can become a problem for anyone. Be honest with yourself if you notice any of these signs, in yourself or someone close to you:

• Spending more time or money on gambling than you intended
• Chasing losses — betting more to win back what you've lost
• Gambling to escape stress, boredom, or low mood
• Borrowing money, or selling things, to fund gambling
• Lying to family or friends about how much you gamble
• Feeling anxious, guilty, or irritable when you try to cut back

If several of these feel familiar, it may be time to take a break and talk to someone. The organisations listed below are free and confidential.