Lottery tickets? Scratch-offs? Video poker? Slots? Whatever your game, follow these tips for safer gambling. Make sure you have the time and money for what's really important.
Follow these suggestions for safer gambling
- If you choose to gamble, do so for fun. If your gambling is no longer fun, ask yourself why you're still doing it.
- Expect to lose. The odds are that you will lose. Accept loss as a part of the game.
- Treat the money you lose as the cost of your entertainment. Any winnings are a bonus.
- Set a dollar limit and stick to it. Decide before you go how much you can afford to lose and how much you want to spend. Do not change your mind after losing.
- Set a time limit and stick to it. Decide how long you want to gambling. Leave when you reach your time limit, whether you are winning or losing.
- Make it a personal rule not to gamble on credit. Do not borrow to gamble.
- Balance gambling with other activities. Gambling should not interfere with, or take the place of, friends, family, work, or other enjoyable activities.
- Avoid chasing lost money. Chances are the more you try to win your losses back, the larger your losses will be.
- Avoid gambling when you are depressed, upset, or in pain. It's hard to make good decisions about gambling when you're feeling stressed or down.
- Educate yourself about problem gambling. The more you know, the better choices you can make.
Help is available
If you can't follow these tips, you may need help.
Help is FREE and confidential at 1-877-MY-LIMIT (877-695-4648) or opgr.org