How to Gamble Responsibly

Author: Isaac Payne | Last Updated: February 2024

Responsible gambling is the ability to bet on sports, casino games, and poker tournaments without putting yourself or others at risk of harm. Gambling should be a form of entertainment that is enjoyed in moderation as part of a healthy, balanced lifestyle.

This guide will lay out the core rules that underpin responsible gambling. It will also provide a list of warning signs, along with links to organizations that provide support.

The Core Rules for Gambling Responsibly

There are certain principles that you need to maintain in order to gamble responsibly. These are the 10 core rules to follow:

Set Strict Limits on Your Spending

Set aside funds that you will use for gambling. Many bettors refer to this as a bankroll. It should not include any money that you need for everyday expenses, such as bills, rent, mortgage, food, clothing, and other necessities.

Under no circumstances should you borrow money or rack up credit card debit to gamble.

Impose strict limits on how much you plan to spend during a session, or over the course of a week, a month, or a year. Stick to those limits. Be prepared to walk away if you lose your money.

Use a Gambling Site’s Responsible Gaming Tools

Many online gambling sites offer tools that allow you to set deposit limits, bet limits, and loss limits on your own account. You can also set time limits, which can help you enjoy gambling in moderation. Take advantage of these tools when they are available, as they can help you stay in control of your play.

You can also self-exclude or ask customer support for a timeout or cooling off period if you feel you are gambling to excess. At that point, you can seek support from organizations like Gamblers Anonymous too.

Manage Your Bankroll Carefully

Sensible bankroll management can help you stay in control of your gambling. To do so, you might like to come up with a base unit, which is a percentage of your bankroll. For example, you may decide to bet with 2% of your bankroll. If you have $500, you can start out by wagering $10.

If you win, your bankroll will grow. You might then decide to stick to wagering 2% of your bankroll, but your wagers will be larger, as your funds have increased.

You can also continue wagering 2% of your bankroll when you lose. That means your bets will grow smaller, and it will keep you in the game longer. It may help you resist the temptation to top up your bankroll with additional funds that you need for other expenses.

Do Not Spend Money You Cannot Afford to Lose

Never play with money that you cannot afford to lose. This is the most fundamental principle for gambling in a responsible fashion.

Remember that there is always a house edge when you place a bet. For example, the house edge on a standard NFL point spread, with odds of -110 on either team covering, is 4.77%. You will find a similar house edge on slots. Table games have a lower house edge, but they are still weighted in favor of the casino.

Some casino players get lucky, and some sports bettors make astute picks. However, you should never expect to win a bet.

Do not treat gambling as the solution to any financial issues you may be experiencing, as success is never guaranteed, and many bettors lose. It is not a way to win money for a new car or to pay off your debts.

Take Regular Breaks

Gambling can be a very engrossing pursuit. You may find that time flies by when playing a casino game, competing in a poker tournament, researching horses’ past performance data, or coming up with sports betting picks.

However, it is important to take frequent breaks. Stand up, move around, get some fresh air and have something to eat or drink.

Even if you really enjoy gambling, you should try to limit it to a reasonably small portion of your day, and you should ideally have several days in which you do not gamble at all.

Treat Gambling as a Form of Entertainment

Gambling is supposed to be fun. Slots and table games are entertaining. Watching a sporting event or a horse race can become a lot more exciting when you have money riding on the outcome. Poker tournaments offer an intriguing test of skill.

However, gambling to excess can cause helplessness, guilt, anxiety or depression. If gambling stops being fun, stop gambling. If it no longer provides a form of entertainment, it is time to walk away.

Do Not Treat Gambling as an Escape from Stress or Boredom

You may be more inclined to gamble compulsively if you are stressed or bored. Substantial research has found a robust relationship between stressful life events and excessive gambling. 

Other studies have found that gambling can increase your dopamine levels and make you feel “better” when boredom strikes.

Responsible gamblers are able to recognize when they are stressed or bored, and they avoid logging into their accounts at those times. This is not always easy, but you will stand a far better chance of avoiding compulsive gambling if you do not treat it as an escape from stress or boredom.

Maintain Strong Relationships and Other Interests

Do not let gambling encroach upon your relationships and your other interests. If you miss an important family event or abandon your favorite hobbies to gamble alone, you may have a problem that needs addressed.

This goes back to enjoying gambling in moderation as part of a balanced lifestyle, alongside various other hobbies. Do not let it impact your friendships or relationships with your family.

Avoid Gambling When Drunk or Angry

There are various situations in which it is never advisable to gamble:

• When you are drunk.
• When you are on drugs.
• When you are angry and thinking irrationally.

You are far more likely to make bad decisions if you are not thinking straight. That can be very costly when it comes to gambling, as you can lose money quickly, leaving you with a great deal of regret when you sober up or your anger subsides.

Do Not Chase Losses

Do not try to aggressively win back money you have previously lost. Remember that previous losses are in no way indicative of future success.

If you lose five blackjack hands in a row, it does not improve your prospects of winning the next hand. That is known as the gambler’s fallacy, and it is important to avoid this belief.

By the same token, do not depend on “good luck” strategies, as they will not increase your chances of winning. Remember that no system can remove the inherent house edge when you gamble.

If you lose, accept it and move on. Trying to chase down those losses by risking more money can prove damaging, so avoid the temptation to do so.

Know When Your Gambling Goes Too Far

There are certain warning signs that could suggest you have a gambling problem:

• Becoming preoccupied with gambling and thinking about it more than usual.
• Feeling guilty, anxious, frustrated, or worried about your gambling.
• Failing to cut back on gambling or stop gambling.
• Needing to gamble with increasing amounts of money to obtain the same thrill.
• Fluctuation between extreme highs and lows when you win and lose.
• Feeling irritable when you try to stop gambling.
• Borrowing money, selling possessions, or committing criminal acts to gain money for gambling.
• Avoiding family meetings and social events to gamble.
• Avoiding work and/or household responsibilities due to gambling.
• Neglecting previous hobbies and interests as you are so focused on gambling.
• Running into financial troubles and incurring increasing debts through gambling.
• Lying to friends and family to hide the extent of your gambling.

If you notice any of those symptoms, seek support.

Responsible Gambling Resources

There are various organizations that can provide support if you are concerned about your gambling. The National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) runs a toll-free phone line (1-800-GAMBLER), which you can call at any time.

There are also dedicated resources in most states, and you can often benefit from free treatment. Find the local branch of the NCPG in your state for details. They can also recommend local counselors and local Gamblers Anonymous meetings.

These are some of the best sites to visit if you need support:

• National Council on Problem Gambling
• Gamblers Anonymous 
• GamTalk
• SAMHSA National Helpline