Gamble more safely
If you choose to gamble, there are steps you can take to reduce your risk of harm. Setting limits, understanding the risks and using the protection tools available to you can help you stay in control.
There is no risk-free way to gamble. Gambling always involves the possibility of losing money.
Quick guide: ways to gamble more safely
Before you gamble
- Set a spending limit.
- Set a time limit.
- Understand the odds and risks.
- Set-up the protection tools in betting apps.
While you're gambling
- Stick to your limits.
- Take regular breaks.
- Don't chase losses.
- Don't borrow money.
- Stay sober.
Three ways to reduce your gambling risk
Research shows that how much you spend, how often you gamble and how many types of gambling you use can affect your risk of gambling harm.
These three guidelines work together to help reduce the risk of gambling harm. Following all three is more effective than focusing on just one. The guidelines are adapted from the Canadian Lower-Risk Gambling Guidelines.
Spend no more than 2% of your weekly take-home pay
As a guide, spend no more than 2% of your weekly take-home pay on gambling.
| Weekly take home pay | Maximum weekly gambling spend |
| $500 | $10 |
| $750 | $15 |
| $1,000 | $20 |
| $1,500 | $30 |
| $2,000 | $40 |
| $2,500 | $50 |
This is a guide to help reduce risk, not a guarantee that gambling is safe. For some people, gambling less or not gambling at all may be a better option.
Gamble no more than once a week
Limiting how often you gamble reduces the opportunities to lose money and helps you keep track of your spending.
Gamble on no more than two types of gambling
Using multiple gambling products can make it harder to monitor your overall gambling and spending.
Tips for safer gambling
If you choose to gamble, there are practical steps you can take to help reduce your risk of gambling harm. These strategies can help you stay in control of how much time and money you spend gambling and make it easier to stick to the limits you set for yourself.
How to set a gambling limit
One of the simplest ways to reduce gambling harm is to set your limits before you start gambling.
Before you gamble:
- decide how much you can afford to lose
- set a time limit
- stick to both limits
Once you reach your money or time limit, stop gambling, whether you're winning or losing.
Don't chase your losses
Chasing losses means gambling more to try to win back money you've already lost.
You might think, "I'll stop once I win it back." However, losses don't make a future win more likely. Chasing losses often leads to spending more money and can increase gambling harm.
If you've reached your limit, walk away rather than trying to recover your losses.
Keep gambling separate from essential money
Only gamble with money you can afford to lose and make sure you've paid for essentials first, including:
- rent or mortgage
- bills
- groceries
- healthcare
- debt repayments
- savings.
To help protect your finances:
- don't borrow money to gamble
- don't use credit cards, loans or buy now, pay later services to gamble
- keep gambling money separate from household expenses
- track your gambling spending
- consider using gambling controls through your bank.
Use the protection tools in your betting apps
- deposit limits
- activity statements
- time limits
- account breaks
- self-exclusion options.
Set limits before you start gambling, not after you've spent more than planned.
Reduce gambling notifications and advertising
Gambling promotions can encourage you to gamble when you weren't planning to. To reduce these triggers:
- turn off app notifications
- unsubscribe from promotional emails and texts
- opt out of marketing through your betting account
- remove betting apps from your phone
- adjust advertising settings on social media and websites.
Stay sober when you gamble
Alcohol and other drugs can affect your decision-making and make it harder to stick to gambling limits. If you choose to gamble, staying sober can help you make clearer decisions.
Don't gamble to escape problems
Some people gamble when they're stressed, bored, lonely or upset. While gambling may provide a temporary distraction, it doesn't solve the underlying problem.
If gambling has become a way of coping with difficult emotions, it may be time to seek support.
Be aware of peer pressure
Friends, family and social situations can influence how much you gamble. You may feel pressure to:
- place a bet because others are betting
- increase your bet
- keep gambling after reaching your limit
- join in because gambling is part of the event.
Decide your limits before you start and don't feel pressured to match someone else's spending.
Balance gambling with other activities
- spending time with family and friends
- sport and exercise
- hobbies
- work or study
- getting outdoors
- other forms of entertainment.
If gambling is taking up more time or attention than you'd like, consider taking a break.
Understand how gambling works
Understanding gambling can help you make informed decisions.
Before gambling, ask yourself:
- What are the chances of winning?
- How much could I lose?
- Are the outcomes based on chance?
- Am I chasing losses?
- Am I relying on a promotion or bonus?
- Do I understand how this game or bet works?
There is no strategy that guarantees a win. Past results do not influence future outcomes and a losing streak does not mean you are due for a win.
When are these strategies not enough?
Lower-risk gambling strategies are not suitable for everyone.
Consider gambling less or not gambling at all if you:
- have experienced gambling harm before
- have a personal or family history of gambling harm
- have problems with alcohol or other drugs
- are experiencing anxiety, depression or other mental health concerns
- gamble to cope with stress or difficult emotions
- regularly chase losses
- struggle to stick to limits
- borrow money to gamble
- gamble with money needed for essentials
If any of these situations apply to you, consider taking a break from gambling or seeking support before gambling starts causing more harm.
