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 BeGambleAwareGamblers AnonymousGamCare 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: BeGambleAwareGamblers AnonymousGamCare 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