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;
- Never gamble outside of your means;
- Set a money limit for each game in advance;
- Never chase your losses;
- Try to take regular breaks between games that you play;
- Avoid gambling when drinking alcohol;
- Do not gamble when you are depressed, angry or upset;
- Try to gamble from a position of knowledge;
- Do not let gambling interfere with daily responsiblities;
- Make sure gambling is not your only interest or hobby;
- Keep track of the time and money spent;
- If you feel that you are addicted from gambling, self-exclude yourself;
- Set yourself a time limit before you start gambling and stick to it. Set an alarm;
- Don’t turn to gambling as an alternative source of income or a way to pay back a debt;
- For more information on how to gamble safely and on dealing with gambling problems, seek help at BeGambleAware, Gamblers Anonymous, GamCare and Gam-Anon.
What are the Signs of Problem Gambling?
The following questions can help identify when your gambling behaviour has become a concern:
- Do you stay away from work or college to gamble?
- Do you gamble to escape from problems in your life (boredom, unhappy home life, etc.)?
- If you run out of money when you’re gambling, do you feel lost and in despair and want to find money to gamble again as soon as possible?
- After losing, do you feel you must try and win back your losses as soon as possible?
- Have you lied, stolen or borrowed to get money to gamble or pay gambling debts?
- Have you ever lied to cover up the amount of money or time you’ve spent gambling?
- Do you gamble until your last penny is gone, even if it’s for your bus fare home or for food?
- Are you getting into debt because of gambling?
- Have others ever criticized your gambling behavior?
- Are you reluctant to spend “gambling money” on anything else?
- Have you lost interest in your family, friends or other interests/hobby?
- Do you put gambling before your family and other loved ones?
- Do arguments, frustrations or disappointments make you want to gamble more?
- Do you feel depressed or suicidal because of your gambling?
If you answer “yes” to any of the above, please contact: BeGambleAware, Gamblers Anonymous, GamCare and Gam-Anon.
Main Gambling Organizations
Gambling Addiction Organizations | Website | Country |
---|---|---|
BeGambleAware | https://www.begambleaware.org/ | UK |
GamCare | https://www.gamcare.org.uk/ | UK |
Gamblers Anonymous | https://www.gamblersanonymous.org.uk/ | UK |
Gambling Therapy | https://www.gamblingtherapy.org/ | UK |
Gam-Anon | http://gamanon.org.uk/ | UK |
Gordon House Association | https://gordonmoody.org.uk/ | UK |
CNWL National Problem Gambling | https://www.cnwl.nhs.uk/services/addictions-and-substance-misuse-services/national-problem-gambling-clinic | UK |
Responsible Gambling Council (RGC) | https://www.responsiblegambling.org/ | Canada |
British Columbia Partnership for Responsible Gambling | https://www.bcresponsiblegambling.ca/ | Canada |
Ontario Problem Gambling Helpline | https://www.connexontario.ca/en-ca/ | Canada |
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health | https://kmb.camh.ca/ggtu | Canada |
Problem Gambling Foundation | https://www.problemgambling.ca/gambling-help/HomePage.aspx | Canada |
Canada Safety Council | https://canadasafetycouncil.org/about/ | Canada |
The Ministry of Health | https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/mental-health-and-addiction/addiction/gambling | New Zealand |
Gambling Helpline New Zealand | https://gamblinghelpline.co.nz/Home_452.aspx | New Zealand |
ChoiceNotChance | https://www.choicenotchance.org.nz/ | New Zealand |
Problem Gambling Foundation | https://www.pgf.nz/ | New Zealand |
The National Problem Gambling Helpline Network | https://www.ncpgambling.org/ | US |
1 800 Gambler | https://www.1800gambler.net/ | US |
Australia Gambling Help | https://www.gamblinghelponline.org.au/ | Australia |
GamblersHelp | https://gamblershelp.com.au/ | Australia |
South African Responsible Gambling Foundation | https://responsiblegambling.org.za/ | South Africa |
Gamblers Anonymous Ireland | https://www.gamblersanonymous.ie/ | Ireland |
Danish Gambling Authority | https://www.spillemyndigheden.dk/ | Denmark |
Adictel Prevention Addiction | https://www.adictel.com/en/ | France |
Gluecksspielsucht | https://www.gluecksspielsucht.de/ | Germany |
Careplay | https://www.careplay.ch/ | Switzerland |
Responsible Gambling Foundation | https://www.rgf.org.mt/ | Malta |
AGOG | https://www.agog.nl/ | Netherlands |
Hjelpelinjen | https://hjelpelinjen.no/ | Norway |
Stödlinjen | https://stodlinjen.se/ | Sweden |
Caritas Addicted Gamblers Counseling Centre | https://www.gamblercaritas.org.hk/ | Hong Kong |
Organisations that test and certificate fairness
Name | Website |
---|---|
eCOGRA | www.ecogra.org |
iTech Labs | www.itechlabs.com |
TST | www.tstglobal.com |
GLI | www.gaminglabs.com |
Gaming Associates | www.gamingassociates.com |
NMi | nmi.nl |
BMM Testlabs | bmm.com |
SQS | www.sqs.com |