At SmartBettingGuide.com, we promote responsible gambling to keep betting fun and safe. While many enjoy betting as a casual hobby, it can be risky if not managed properly. For this, we are dedicated to providing tools and guidance to help you stay in control and prevent the negative effects of excessive gambling.
What Is Responsible Gambling?
Responsible gambling means betting responsibly, reducing risks, and keeping your behavior under control.
Bettors can practice it by setting personal limits on the time and money spent, being aware of potential risks, and regularly checking their behavior. To help you gamble more consciously, we encourage self-awareness and use responsible gambling tools.
Signs of Problem Gambling
Problem gambling refers to repeated gambling behavior that continues despite negative consequences. If you’re unsure whether your gambling habits are becoming an issue, ask yourself the following questions:
- Do you gamble alone for long periods and miss work or other activities because of it?
- Do you need to bet more and more money to feel excited?
- Do you get moody, irritable, or upset due to gambling?
- Do you gamble to avoid other problems in your life?
- Do you hide your gambling losses from others?
- Have you tried to cut down on time or money spent gambling but failed?
- Have you thought about doing something dishonest to get money for gambling?
- Do you gamble again on a different day to try and win back what you lost?
- Do you hide your gambling from people close to you?
- Have you borrowed money or gotten into debt because of gambling?
- Have you sold your belongings to gamble or pay off gambling debts?
- Do you break promises to family and friends so you can gamble?
- Do you feel alone because of your gambling?
If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, it’s time to reassess your habits.
You may also want to take the confidential quiz on the BeGambleAware website to evaluate your gambling behavior further.
Get Help with Gambling Addiction
If you’re struggling with gambling addiction, don’t hesitate to seek help. Several organizations provide confidential support:
☎ 0808 8020 133 (National Gambling Helpline)
☎ 01384 241292
☎ 0808 8020 133 (via National Gambling Helpline)
BigDeal (Young People)
☎ 0808 8020 133 (via National Gambling Helpline)
GamAnon (For Families)
☎ 0800 043 4050
How To Stay in Control?
There are several responsible gambling advices to help you maintain control over your betting:
- Decide how much you can afford to gamble and stick to it.
- Avoid trying to win back lost money—it usually leads to bigger losses.
- If gambling feels overwhelming, take a break or use time-out tools.
- Understand that the odds are against you and don’t expect to win every time.
- Don’t gamble when stressed, upset, or angry.
- Don’t gamble under the influence of alcohol or other substances.
- Use deposit and autoplay limits to control your spending and time.
- Review your gambling history to stay aware of your habits.
- Take a break by self-excluding from gambling sites for a set time.
- If gambling is a problem, reach out to support organizations.
Many reputable gambling platforms also offer a history of gambling activity, allowing you to track your deposits, withdrawals, and gameplay, which can help you stay aware of your gambling patterns.
Keep Gambling Fun
To ensure gambling remains a fun and harmless activity, maintain a healthy balance between gambling and other parts of your life. Avoid gambling when upset or stressed, and take regular breaks to keep things in perspective. Try to be aware of your emotional state and not gamble to escape personal problems.
How to Block Gambling Payments?
If you feel that setting limits on the platform isn’t enough, you can contact your bank to block gambling-related payments. Some banks have features, such as card locks or restrictions on online transactions, that make it harder to access gambling sites.
Stopping Gambling Ads
Gambling ads can be a trigger for many people. You can reduce your exposure by adjusting settings on platforms like Google, YouTube, and Facebook:
- On Google, turn off personalized ads under “Data & privacy.”
- On Facebook, update your ad preferences to block gambling-related ads.
Preventing Underage Gambling
Most online platforms implement KYC (Know Your Customer) protocols to verify users’ age and identity. As an adult, you can also take steps to protect minors from exposure to ambling:
- Teach them about the dangers of gambling.
- Set clear family rules for device and internet usage.
- Use parental control features or apps to block access to gambling websites.
