Reposting for @beetlesnk07 as it seems another post was in the body of this one. Feel free to edit this body,
Man this is a great topic and I think it’s different for every person. ResponsiblePlay.org is a great resource that offers some tips for responsible gambling but I’ll give my thoughts on this.
If gambling is fun and you are not risking your financial abilities to pay bills or care for yourself/family then gambling can be an amazingly fun hobby!
If gambling is no longer fun and you find yourself staking money you need for bills and basic necessities then that’s a problem. If you find yourself in this situation often, I’d recommend checking out the resources available on NCP or calling 1-800-MY-RESET for help
Stick to a budget and know your limits. Almost all reputable sites offer tools to help you limit your play if you feel like you struggle sticking to your budget.
TLDR - Know your budget and stick to it. If your wagering funds that you need for bills or life, that’s irresponsible gambling. Go into each session expecting to loose and play for fun within your means. That’s responsible gambling.
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Pretty much what @bigjackpots said. For me the healthiest way is treating it like any other entertainment expense. I set a budget for the month and once it’s gone, it’s gone. If I hit a good run I pull the profit out and enjoy it. The moment you start thinking about bills or making rent, you’ve already lost.
My philosophy is similar to @223Jacobb , I consider it entertainment only and use entertainment funds for it. Just like I wouldn’t skip out on paying bills to go see an amazing movie in IMAX no matter how tempting, I’d also not do the same with gambling. Its pretty simple, if you need to win, then you shouldn’t be gambling. If you find yourself frustrated or enraged when you fail to win, you also should not be gambling. It’s of course fine to blow up at a bonus buy that bombed, we all do. But those moments should pass easily and quickly. But going to see a movie is truly the best example. You’re not taking anything home, you’re not paying for something tangible, you spent your money on an experience. The bonus with gambling is sometimes the experience puts money back into your pocket. View it under this lens while being careful to avoid the landmines of financial impact and emotional impact and you’ll be just fine.
TLDR; If gambling causes you to:
- Hide it or lie about it
- Fail to pay bills on time
- Get angry/depressed/upset/anxious beyond a fleeting moment
- Neglect time with your loved ones
It isn’t healthy.
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Yeah well said. The movie comparison is a great way to put it. I’d add that if you’re checking your balance on these sites every 5 minutes when you’re not playing, that’s a sign you’re too invested. Should be able to walk away and not think about gambling.
I think the healthiest way is just treating it like entertainment money. Set a budget you’re okay losing, and once it’s gone, walk away. I’m guilty of chasing losses sometimes but something ive found that helps is redeem after a big win. Then if you want to play more, buy back im. Something about seeing the money in my bank account makes me less likely to give it all back.
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