Adults / Parents
Guidelines for Safer Gambling
If you choose to gamble, or if you have teens who are almost old enough to gamble, here’s what you need to know.
Understand the Game
Many people gamble. They buy lottery tickets, play casino games, or play online poker. Most people can gamble without developing a problem. Some people can’t.
Problem or High-Risk Gambling
People who have a gambling problem don’t see gambling as a game. They see it as a way to make money. Sometimes they believe they have special luck or abilities. When they lose, they often bet more and more to try to win back their losses.
Low-Risk Gambling
People whose gambling is low-risk see gambling as entertainment. They restrict their losses to the cost of a movie ticket or restaurant bill.
Make your gambling safer. Follow these tips:
- Set your money limit and stick to it.
- Set time limits and take lots of breaks.
- Don’t borrow money to gamble.
- Use your entertainment money to gamble – not money for necessities.
- Balance gambling with other activities.
- Don’t try to win back what you’ve lost.
- Don’t think of gambling as a way to make money.
- Limit how much you drink when you gamble.
- Don’t gamble when you’re upset or stressed.