How to Gamble Responsibly

Published: November 24, 2020 | Updated: November 17, 2025

Responsible gambling means betting on sports, casino games, and poker tournaments without putting yourself or others at risk of harm. Gambling should remain a form of entertainment that you enjoy in moderation as part of a healthy, balanced lifestyle.

This guide lays out the core rules that underpin responsible gambling, highlights common warning signs that your play may be going too far, and lists independent organizations that provide support.

The Core Rules for Gambling Responsibly

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

1. Set Strict Limits on Your Spending

Set aside funds that you will use for gambling – this is your bankroll. It should not include any money needed for everyday expenses such as bills, rent or mortgage, food, clothing, and other necessities.

Under no circumstances should you borrow money or rack up credit card debt to gamble. Impose strict limits on how much you plan to spend during a session or over a week, month, or year – and stick to those limits. Be prepared to walk away if you lose your allocated funds.

2. 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 account. You can also set time limits, which help you enjoy gambling in moderation. Use these tools whenever they are available; they exist to help you stay in control.

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, it can be wise to seek support from organizations like Gamblers Anonymous.

3. Manage Your Bankroll Carefully

Sensible bankroll management helps you stay in control of your gambling. One common approach is to define a base unit as a small percentage of your bankroll (for example, 2%). If you have $500, you might start by wagering $10 per bet.

If you win and your bankroll grows, 2% will mean slightly larger bets; if you lose, 2% will mean smaller bets. This can keep you in the game longer and reduce the temptation to top up your bankroll with money needed for other expenses.

4. Do Not Spend Money You Cannot Afford to Lose

Never gamble with money you cannot afford to lose. This is the most fundamental principle of responsible gambling.

Every bet you place carries a house edge. Slots and most sports bets are structured so that, over time, the operator has the advantage. Some players get lucky and some bettors make sharp picks, but you should never expect to win.

Do not treat gambling as a solution to financial problems. It is not a reliable way to get out of debt, buy a car, or fix long-term money issues.

5. Take Regular Breaks

Gambling can be immersive. Time can pass quickly while you play casino games, grind a poker tournament, or research sports bets.

Build regular breaks into your play. Stand up, move around, get some fresh air, and drink water. Even if you enjoy gambling, limit it to a small portion of your day and aim to have several days each week where you don’t gamble at all.

6. Treat Gambling as a Form of Entertainment

Gambling should be fun. Slots, table games, sports betting, and poker can all be entertaining when used as leisure activities.

However, gambling to excess can contribute to feelings of helplessness, guilt, anxiety, or depression. If gambling stops being fun or starts to feel like pressure, it’s time to step away.

7. Do Not Use Gambling to Escape Stress or Boredom

People are more likely to gamble compulsively when they are stressed or bored. Research has found a strong link between stressful life events and excessive gambling.

Gambling can also temporarily raise dopamine levels and feel like a quick fix for boredom or low mood. That makes it a risky coping mechanism.

Responsible gamblers recognize when they are stressed, angry, or bored – and avoid logging into gambling accounts during those times.

8. Maintain Strong Relationships and Other Interests

Don’t let gambling crowd out your relationships or other hobbies. If you start missing important family events, ignoring friends, or abandoning activities you used to enjoy, that’s a warning sign.

Gambling should remain one small part of a balanced lifestyle, not the central focus of your time and attention.

9. Avoid Gambling When Drunk or Angry

There are situations where gambling is especially risky:

When you are drunk.
When you are on drugs.
When you are angry or thinking irrationally.

You are far more likely to make bad decisions if you are not thinking clearly. That can become expensive very quickly and often leads to regret.

10. Do Not Chase Losses

Do not try to aggressively win back money you have already lost. Previous losses do not make future wins more likely – that belief is known as the gambler’s fallacy.

Likewise, “lucky systems” cannot remove the inherent house edge. If you lose, accept it and move on. Chasing losses by increasing your stakes can escalate problems quickly.

Know When Your Gambling Goes Too Far

These warning signs may indicate that you are developing a gambling problem:

Becoming preoccupied with gambling and thinking about it more than usual.
Feeling guilty, anxious, frustrated, or worried about your gambling.
Trying and failing to cut back on gambling or stop entirely.
Needing to gamble with increasing amounts of money to feel the same excitement.
Experiencing big emotional swings – extreme highs after wins and lows after losses.
Feeling irritable or restless when you try to stop gambling.
Borrowing money, selling possessions, or engaging in risky behavior to fund gambling.
Avoiding family events or social activities in order to gamble.
Neglecting work, studies, or household responsibilities because of gambling.
Dropping previous hobbies and interests as gambling takes over your attention.
Running into financial difficulties or increasing debts due to gambling.
Lying to friends or family to hide the extent of your gambling.

If you recognize yourself in several of these signs, it’s important to seek support as soon as possible.

Responsible Gambling Resources

There are independent organizations that can help if you are concerned about your gambling. In many regions, free or low-cost support is available.

In the United States, the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) runs a toll-free helpline (1-800-GAMBLER) that you can call at any time. Many countries and states also operate local services, counseling, and Gamblers Anonymous meetings.

Some useful resources include:

If you believe your gambling – or someone else’s – may be out of control, reach out to one of these organizations and consider using the responsible gambling tools offered by licensed operators, including self-exclusion.