How To Gamble Responsibly

You love the cha-ching sound of a winning slot machine, but do you know how to gamble responsibly?
While gambling is a form of entertainment, it should be budgeted for and enjoyed responsibly. Like going to the cinema or attending a sports match, gambling can be enormous fun. It becomes a problem, however, when it is seen as a way to make money or solve financial problems.

While we are incredibly proud of our facilities at Sun International, we are aware of the possible dangers of gambling addiction, which is why we work with the National Responsible Gambling Program to provide the necessary support. A globally recognised system that combines education, research, and treatment, the program is considered one of the most effective in the world.
Do you know how to gamble responsibly? The act of gambling is not inherently irresponsible, but it becomes dangerous when the following signs appear:

• A constant preoccupation with gambling and the next opportunity to gamble
• Relieving past gambling successes and talking about where to find money for the next opportunity
• Spending more time in gambling establishments, including online establishments
• Losing interest in other hobbies or activities
• Withdrawing from friends and family
• Borrowing money to gamble
• ‘Chasing’: borrowing money to gamble in order to pay back debts and losses
• Not showing up for work or family functions due to gambling
• Unexplained bills or absences

When these signs begin to appear in your life, or that of a loved one, it is time to reach out and get help. The National Responsible Gambling Program offers help for free and at no point in your counselling will you pay for support.
Here are some responsible gambling tips to keep the games fun:

• Budget very carefully: by ensuring that you know exactly how much you have to spend, it becomes much easier to simply draw that amount of money in cash, and to leave your credit card at home and out of reach of temptation.
• Stay social! Gambling alone is usually one of the signs of addiction.
• If you want to know how to gamble responsibly, allocate a certain amount of time in the casino to avoid overspending.
• Don’t ‘chase’ losses by gambling more.
• Have realistic expectations of what gambling will accomplish – it will not help you pay your debts and bills, but it will provide a few hours of fun.
• Avoid drinking alcohol when gambling, as it impairs decision-making and can lead to overspending.
• Keep a separate account for gambling money, so that it cannot be drawn from your main account and so that it is easier to keep track of your spending.
• Always play only one machine at a time – playing multiple machines at once is bound to cause overspending.
• Don’t borrow money to gamble – as the saying goes, “Don’t play with money you don’t have.”
• Gamble during the good times – when you feel positive and happy, rather than during difficult times. When depressed, angry, or under pressure, gambling becomes a high-risk situation.

By following these responsible gambling tips, it becomes much easier to constrain your spending at the casino, and to do no financial harm to your family or yourself. At Sun International, we believe that knowing how to gamble responsibly ensures that this entertaining pastime remains fun.