Responsible Gambling: Tips for Staying in Control

Keeping Gambling Fun

Gambling should be entertainment—an enjoyable pastime that adds excitement to your life, not a problem that takes it over. For most Australians, gambling online is a fun, harmless activity. But for some, it can spiral out of control, causing financial difficulties, relationship problems, and mental health issues.

Understanding responsible gambling principles and recognizing warning signs early can help you keep gaming fun and safe. This comprehensive guide provides practical strategies, tools, and resources to help you maintain control and enjoy gambling responsibly.

What is Responsible Gambling?

Responsible gambling means treating gambling as a form of paid entertainment, not a way to make money. It's about making informed decisions, setting limits, and knowing when to stop.

Core Principles:

• Gambling is entertainment with a cost
• The house always has an advantage
• Losses are part of the experience
• Winning doesn't erase previous losses
• Gambling should never interfere with responsibilities
• It's about the experience, not making money

Setting and Maintaining Limits

The single most important responsible gambling tool is setting—and sticking to—limits before you start playing.

Types of Limits to Set

How to Set Effective Limits

1. Determine Your Entertainment Budget:

• Calculate monthly disposable income (after all bills and savings)
• Decide what percentage you're comfortable allocating to gambling
• Never use money needed for essentials (rent, food, bills)
• A common rule: no more than 5% of disposable income

2. Set Limits BEFORE Playing:

• Decide limits when you're clear-headed, not while playing
• Write them down or set them in the casino's system
• Don't increase limits on impulse
• If you request a limit increase, it should have a 24-48 hour delay

3. Use Casino Tools:

• Most reputable casinos offer built-in limit tools
• Set permanent limits that can't be removed instantly
• Enable reality checks (reminders of time/money spent)
• Opt for lower limits rather than higher if uncertain

The Golden Rules of Responsible Gambling

Rule #1: Never Chase Losses

This is the most critical rule. When you're losing, the temptation to keep playing to "win it back" is strong—but this is when problem gambling starts.

Why Chasing Losses is Dangerous:

• You're playing emotionally, not rationally
• You're likely to bet more than planned
• The house edge means you'll likely lose more
• It creates a vicious cycle of escalating losses

What to Do Instead:

• Accept losses as the cost of entertainment
• Take a break—step away from gambling
• Do something else you enjoy
• Return another day (if at all) with a fresh mindset

Rule #2: Gambling is NOT a Way to Make Money

All casino games have a house edge. Over time, the casino always wins. Any gambling strategy that promises guaranteed wins is a lie.

Reality Check:

• Pokies: Casino has 2-15% advantage
• Roulette: 2.7% (European) to 5.26% (American) advantage
• Blackjack: 0.5-2% advantage (even with perfect play)
• Slots: 2-10% average advantage

Occasional wins are possible and exciting, but they don't change the mathematical reality. Treat any wins as bonuses, not income.

Rule #3: Don't Gamble Under the Influence

Alcohol, drugs, or even extreme emotions impair judgment and lead to poor decisions.

Risks of Impaired Gambling:

• Betting more than planned
• Making irrational decisions
• Ignoring set limits
• Difficulty stopping
• Increased risk-taking

Rule #4: Balance Gambling with Other Activities

Gambling should be one form of entertainment among many, not your primary leisure activity.

Healthy Balance:

• Maintain hobbies and interests outside gambling
• Spend time with family and friends
• Exercise regularly
• Pursue work or study goals
• Engage in community activities

Rule #5: Never Borrow to Gamble

Using credit cards, loans, or borrowing from friends/family to gamble is a major red flag.

Absolutely Never:

• Use credit cards for gambling (use debit only)
• Take out loans to gamble or cover gambling losses
• Borrow money from friends or family
• Pawn possessions to get gambling money
• Use money set aside for bills or necessities

Warning Signs of Problem Gambling

Recognizing warning signs early is crucial. Be honest with yourself about whether any of these apply to you:

Self-Assessment Questions:

1. Do you gamble longer than planned?
2. Have you borrowed money to gamble?
3. Do you think about gambling constantly?
4. Have you tried to cut down but couldn't?
5. Do you gamble to escape problems?
6. Have you lied about your gambling?
7. Has gambling caused relationship problems?
8. Do you chase losses?
9. Do you gamble money needed for essentials?
10. Do you feel restless when trying to stop?

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

Tools and Features for Responsible Gambling

Reputable online casinos provide various tools to help you maintain control:

1. Deposit Limits

• Set daily, weekly, or monthly maximum deposits
• Cannot be immediately increased (cooling-off period)
• Can be decreased instantly
• Helps prevent impulsive over-spending

2. Loss Limits

• Cap on how much you can lose in a time period
• Account locks when limit reached
• Resets after the time period ends

3. Time Limits / Session Reminders

• Auto-logout after specified playing time
• Pop-up reminders at regular intervals
• Shows time elapsed and money wagered

4. Reality Checks

• Regular notifications while playing
• Display current session statistics
• Force you to acknowledge before continuing
• Break the "zone" that makes you lose track

5. Self-Exclusion

• Short-term: 24 hours to 6 weeks
• Long-term: 6 months to permanent
• Cannot be reversed during exclusion period
• Blocks access to your account
• May extend to all casinos (via national programs)

6. Cooling-Off Periods

• Temporary break (24 hours to 1 month)
• Less severe than self-exclusion
• Account remains open but inaccessible
• Good for taking a brief pause

The Gambler's Fallacy and Other Myths

Understanding these common misconceptions helps you gamble more responsibly:

1. The Gambler's Fallacy: "Red came up five times, so black is due."

• Reality: Each spin is independent. Previous results don't affect future ones.

2. Hot and Cold Streaks: "This machine is hot/cold."

• Reality: Streaks are random variance, not patterns you can predict.

3. Near Misses: "I almost won, so I'm close!"

• Reality: Near misses are programmed outcomes that mean nothing.

4. "I'm Due for a Win": "I've lost so much, I must win soon."

• Reality: Past losses don't influence future results.

5. "I Can Win It Back": "One more bet and I'll break even."

• Reality: Chasing losses usually leads to bigger losses.

Help and Support Resources in Australia

If you're concerned about your gambling or someone else's, help is available:

What to Expect When Seeking Help:

• Confidential, non-judgmental support
• Assessment of your gambling behavior
• Personalized treatment plan
• Counseling (individual, group, or family)
• Financial counseling referrals
• Support for related issues (depression, anxiety)
• Follow-up and ongoing support

Supporting Someone with a Gambling Problem

If you're concerned about a family member or friend:

Do:

• Express concern calmly and without judgment
• Choose a good time when they're not gambling
• Offer specific examples of concerning behavior
• Provide information about help resources
• Offer to support them in seeking help
• Take care of your own wellbeing
• Set boundaries about money

Don't:

• Lecture, nag, or criticize
• Cover up their gambling or make excuses
• Lend them money or pay their debts
• Try to control their gambling yourself
• Take over their responsibilities
• Expect them to stop immediately

Practical Tips for Staying in Control

Before You Play:

• Decide how much money and time you'll spend
• Only bring/deposit the amount you've budgeted
• Don't take credit cards or extra cash
• Set a timer or alarm
• Make other plans after gambling (creates natural endpoint)

While Playing:

• Take regular breaks every 30-60 minutes
• Keep track of time and money spent
• Don't drink alcohol while gambling
• Stop if you're feeling emotional or stressed
• If you hit your loss limit, walk away
• If you win big, withdraw and take a break

After Playing:

• Review your session honestly
• Did you stick to your limits?
• How do you feel about the experience?
• If you exceeded limits, why? What can you do differently?
• Consider taking a break if you're concerned

The Reality of "Winning Big"

While big wins do happen, it's important to maintain perspective:

• Most jackpot winners have spent thousands (or more) over time
• Wins are designed to keep you playing
• The casino always has the mathematical edge
• For every winner, countless others lose
• Chasing a big win is a path to problems

If you do win big:

• Withdraw most or all of it
• Take a break from gambling
• Pay off any debts
• Put money toward savings or goals
• Don't assume you can repeat the win

Conclusion: Gambling Should Be Fun

Responsible gambling is about enjoying the entertainment value while minimizing risks. It's about control, awareness, and balance. Most people can gamble recreationally without problems, but it requires self-honesty and discipline.

Remember:

• Gambling is entertainment with a cost
• Set limits and stick to them
• Never chase losses
• Don't gamble money you can't afford to lose
• Balance gambling with other life activities
• Watch for warning signs
• Seek help early if concerned

If gambling stops being fun, or if you're playing to escape problems rather than for entertainment, it's time to take a break and reassess. There's no shame in seeking help—it's a sign of strength and self-awareness.

Play responsibly, know your limits, and keep gambling as the entertaining pastime it's meant to be! For more information, visit our responsible gambling resources.