Play Responsibly

Take Charge to Play ResponsiblyThe key to playing responsibly is to manage your money well. Here are some tips on playing responsibly:

Play within your means.

Set yourself a limit and stick to it. Stop playing if you exceed that limit.

Do not borrow money to bet.

Never spend more to win back losses.

Treat any loss as part of your entertainment/leisure cost.

Do not be pressurized or influenced by others to bet.

Betting should be your own choice.

Stop playing if you think you are beginning to spend more money and playing more frequently.


Do not be a Casualty of GamblingRemember, your loved ones would suffer if your playing affects your family lifestyle and finances. You should not let yourself and your loved ones become casualties of gambling.


Guard Against Problem Gambling (Source: Gamblers Anonymous)
Monitor your playing behaviour regularly to see if you are playing excessively. Here’s a quiz to see if you are facing a problem:

 Did you ever lose time from work due to gambling?

Has gambling ever made your home life unhappy?

Did gambling affect your reputation?

Have you ever felt remorse after gambling?

Did you ever gamble to get money with which to pay debts or otherwise solve financial difficulties?

Did gambling cause a decrease in your ambition or efficiency?

After losing did you feel you must return as soon as possible and win back your losses?

After a win did you have a strong urge to return and win more?

Did you often gamble until your last dollar was gone?

Did you ever borrow to finance your gambling?

Have you ever sold anything to finance gambling?

Were you reluctant to use "gambling money" for normal expenditures?

Did gambling make you careless of the welfare of yourself or your family?

Did you ever gamble longer than you had planned?

Have you ever gambled to escape worry or trouble?

Have you ever committed, or considered committing, an illegal act to finance gambling?

Did gambling cause you to have difficulty in sleeping?

Do arguments, disappointments or frustrations create within you an urge to gamble?

Did you ever have an urge to celebrate any good fortune by a few hours of gambling?

Have you ever considered self destruction or suicide as a result of your gambling?

Most problem gamblers will answer yes to at least seven of these questions. Seek family support and professional help if you think you are experiencing problem gambling.

For more articles on problem gambling, check out www.gamblersanonymous.org


When Not to GambleWhen you are emotionally affected, betting may seem like an attractive distraction. However, you are also more susceptible to playing beyond your control. Do not gamble:

When feeling lonely, depressed or under stress

When coping with the death or loss of a loved one

When trying to solve a personal or family problem

When trying to impress others

Betting should be fun. It should be under your control. Do not let it control you or your life instead.