Importance of Responsible Gambling
We believe gambling should only ever be for fun, and should never be seen as a way to make money. While there has been a trend of so-called experts - focusing heavily on statistics - in the betting world recently, this is certainly not for everyone and new as well as experienced bettors need to be careful.
It is easy for betting to get out of hand, even for those who normally have high self-control, and that is why it has become increasingly important to focus on responsible gambling. Not to mention that the number of betting sites has increased, resulting in more enticing welcome offers and promotions.
Be wary of any person/company claiming to make guaranteed profits as it is highly unlikely and potentially a scam. Another important thing to note is the range of tools available on your preferred betting site. Having access to the common ones can help you stay within your desired limits, which we will discuss more below.
Tools for Responsible Gambling
All betting sites that are licensed by GRAI offer tools to help you stay in control and gamble responsibly. After all, ensuring that gambling remains a fun activity is not only the responsibility of the punters, but also the bookies themselves.
Although it differs depending on the site, we have taken a closer look at some of the most common tools for responsible gambling below:
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Deposit Limits
Everyone should have gambling limits, and there is no better way than setting a deposit limit. This will stop you from depositing more than your set limit! You can set deposit limits per day, week, or month and they can be changed if needed.
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Reality Checks
These can monitor the time you spend on a betting site and even your wins/losses during that period.
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Self-Exclusion
If you want to take a longer break, self-exclusion is an option too. Currently, you can only exclude yourself on the betting site itself, but there will soon be an option to exclude yourself from all Irish sites at once through GRAI's website. You can self-exclude for 6 months, 1 year or 5 years.
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Take a Break
If you want to exclude yourself for a shorter time, check out the betting sites "Take a Break" or "Cool Off" features. Betting sites have different names for this tool, but it is essentially a period to block access to the site.
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Self-Assessment Tests
Most bookmakers offer a self-assessment test to give you guidance on whether you are a risk of developing a gambling problem. They are fully anonymous, and your answers will not be recorded. Some betting sites also include diaries, budget calculators and other tools to help stay in control.
Tips and Advice for Responsible Gambling
If you are stuck in your betting habits, it can sometimes be nice to refresh your memory with tips and advice on how to change your ways. While most of these may sound obvious, they can be difficult to identify in the moment and deserve some reflection.
It will vary from individual to individual, of course, but below are some key pieces of advice to ensure that gambling remains a fun activity:
Don't think of gambling as a way to make money. Yes, you can make money with gambling, but this is not the case for most people. Set yourself a budget, and gamble only what you can afford to lose.
Never chase your losses. Again, gamble what you can afford to lose. If you lose more than that, do not try to win the money back. Chasing your losses will likely lead to even bigger losses.
Avoid gambling if you are upset, angry or down. Gambling will not make you happy, it will likely lead to further stress or negativity. Try to only gamble when you're feeling positive.
Take regular breaks. We take regular breaks, and so should you! We will take 1-3 days off each week, but we recommend you take more breaks than that.
Set time and money limit. Set a time limit for how long you will spend gambling while always sticking to a budget you can afford to lose.
Avoid gambling while drinking or on drugs. It is never recommended to gamble while under the influence of any drugs. You will struggle to stick to a budget and it could be very costly.
Speak about your gambling with friends or family. If you are worried about your gambling habits, speak to your friends or family for help and advice. Never put gambling before your friends or family.
Check your account history. It is easy to lose track of how much you are gambling if you do not set out a budget. Be sure to regularly check your account history to keep an eye on your spending.
Seek help. If you break one or several of these tips, it could be time to seek help. Below is a list of problem signs to look out for, and a list of sites that provide professional help.
Services Offering Free Professional Help
There are several organisations in Ireland that you can turn to if you feel that gambling has taken over your life. Especially if you relate to any of the signs mentioned above, and the betting advice is having little to no effect on your gambling.
It is important to highlight that these organisations offer free help, so bettors should not be worried about having to spend more money to overcome their addiction. Not only are they free, but they will most likely also help bettors save a lot of money.
GamblingCare.ie: A leading independent organisation in Ireland that is committed to reducing gambling-related harms, led by the charity Gambling Awareness Trust. The organisation is also responsible for the national helpline (1800 936 725).
GamblersAnonymous.ie: The organisation offers a helpline (+353 1 8721133) and physical meetings in various places in Ireland. No registration or booking is required to attend any of the meetings.
CitizensInformation.ie: The government-run site offers helpful advice on where to turn if you feel your gambling has got out of hand.
Closing Remarks
Responsible gambling can make your life better from a financial as well as mental health standpoint. Adopting the tools available, or seeking help if you need to, can thus make a big difference.
It is important to remember that you are in control of your betting - while the betting sites are mostly looking to maximise their own profit - and this is why you always have to gamble responsibly.
We hope this guide has provided you with a blueprint on how to do just that, from the very basic to the more advanced measures.
Steven is an experienced iGaming content writer who has been working in the industry since 2018. He is passionate about sports betting and enjoys writing about all aspects of the industry, including bookmaker reviews, betting tips and strategies, and news and analysis.
