What is ‘Safer Gambling’ or ‘Responsible Gambling’?

Safer gambling means betting only what you can afford to lose. If you enjoy gambling and it does not negatively impact your life or the lives of your friends and family, then you are gambling responsibly.

Responsible Gambling

It can be challenging to recognise when your gambling habits become harmful. Here are some warning signs to help you evaluate your behaviour. Responsible gambling measures are essential for a positive experience since risk is inherent in gambling. Managing wins and losses is critical, making safe betting vital throughout your journey.

Planning—deciding how much, how often, and what to bet on—is vital for maintaining responsible gambling. If you suspect you might be a problem gambler, consider whether you chase losses, increase stakes for excitement, or borrow money to gamble. These behaviours may signal that it’s time to reflect on the impact of gambling on yourself and your loved ones.

Strategies to Help You Gamble Safely—and Enjoyably

Responsible gambling is essential for all bettors, not only those with gambling issues. Remember, prevention is better than cure. Plan your betting to maintain a healthy relationship with gambling.

While betting sites and banks offer various support strategies, self-discipline is key! All gambling carries risk, but you can take steps to minimise it and protect your financial and mental health. Be aware of the risks and always gamble responsibly.

Play Smarter: Think Long-Term

It is better to have a clear plan instead of placing impulsive bets. Set a gambling budget and create a staking plan. Keep a record of your bets and your balance. This approach helps you manage your gambling responsibly.

Responsible Gambling: Budgeting and Staking Limits

Managing your monthly spending makes it easier to control your gambling. It shows you your betting costs compared to other expenses. It also helps you know how much to safely bet on each wager, which reduces the “gambler’s mentality.” This mentality can lead you to think that winning a bet means you should risk more for a bigger reward. Having a set maximum stake means you can feel satisfied that you have made the most of your winning potential.

Responsible Gambling: Keep Track of Profit & Loss

It’s hard to stay in profit over time, so tracking your wins and losses is essential. This practice shows how quickly losses can add up. It also reminds you that many successful people may be down over a long period.

Responsible Gambling: Put Your Chances of Winning in Perspective

Reviewing your betting history helps you understand your gambling habits and can make the experience more enjoyable as you see how often you win..

Responsible Gambling: Prevents ‘Chasing’

Seeing the bigger picture helps you avoid rushing to recover losses. In betting, this means waiting for a team, player, or event you prefer, making the experience more enjoyable and rewarding. Accepting that even innovative betting strategies can lead to losses helps you realise that bad days are part of the process.

Tools to Help You Gamble Safely

Operators, such as those partnered with Player 45, provide an array of tools to help you manage your gambling effectively:

• Deposit Limits: Set daily, weekly, or monthly deposit limits to ensure you stay within your budget. Increasing limits usually takes 24 hours to take effect, while decreases are applied immediately.
• Cool-Off Periods: Cool-Off tools allow you to take a break from gambling for a set period, ranging from 1 to 30 days. After the period ends, you’ll be able to reaccess gambling without needing to contact support. Cool Off periods are useful if you have reached your spending limit and want to avoid gambling until next month.
• Profit & Loss Tools: These tools show how much you’ve won or lost over a specific time period. This helps you manage your budget and gambling habits more effectively.
• Reality Check: Reality Check is an interval-based reminder of how long you’ve been playing, ranging from 20 minutes to 2 hours. It helps encourage breaks and ensures you remain aware of your gambling time.
• Self-Exclusion: If you believe you have a gambling problem or are at risk, self-exclusion allows you to block yourself from gambling for a set period, typically ranging from 6 months to 5 years. You can also use services like BetBlocker and MySelfExclusion.ca, which provide exclusion options across different sites and apps available in Canada.

Get Support if You Need It

If you think your gambling is out of control, support is available in Canada through organizations such as:

• Gamblers Anonymous Canada: A support group that offers meetings and resources for individuals dealing with gambling problems (gamblersanonymous.org/ga/locations).
• Gambleaware.org – Remember, if gambling stops being fun, there’s always help available. Stay safe, be aware, and gamble responsibly.