Gambling is a fun, exciting, involved, popular and largely safe activity, particularly among sports fans looking to enhance their experience, as well as those looking to make profits and even make a living. Of course, the decision on whether or not to gamble is a very personal one, and everyone has his or her own reasons for doing so or not. As stated, most people, as with drinking alcohol, manage to do so safely without ever getting into any trouble. Statistics show, however, that around 6% of adults are so-called ‘problem gamblers’ with a larger number still considered to be in the ‘at-risk’ category. There are certain things you can do in order to ensure that, if you choose to gamble, you are able to do so safely and consistently.
First of all, remember that it is entirely your choice whether or not you gamble. Never let this factor appear to slip out of your grasp. You can choose to stop at any time. Gambling is not a risk-free activity. In fact, there is a possibility of winning or losing large sums of money, which is what can make it such an enticing activity. Unfortunately, this potential can attract the more vulnerable and desperate with the knock-on effect that can involve family life, career, finances and your health. As a result, it is vital, should you choose to gamble, that you first work out exactly how much you can afford to bet. Set strict personal limits and don’t be tempted to deviate from them. Remember, it is an entertainment industry and your main objective should be to have fun. If you are risking your personal life, your career and your finances, it can hardly be considered fun or entertaining.
Once you have worked out how much money you can afford to bet, take that amount with you and only that. Never more. Also, leave your credit cards at home to avoid temptation once you get into the atmosphere of the casino. Remember also, never, NEVER borrow money in order to gamble, as this is indeed a slippery slope and will only exacerbate the problem.
Also, be careful once you are in the casino, as many offer free drinks to their paying customers. Remember, they are not being nice when they do this, it’s just company policy and is designed to loosen you up so that you lose your inhibition and bet more. Do not drink and bet!
Also, remember why casinos give you plastic chips in exchange for your cash. Sure, it makes life easier for the dealer in terms of collecting money and making payouts, but it also allows you to merely look at a pile of ‘worthless’ plastic chips instead of cold, hard cash. This serves to ‘devalue’ your money, and could make you more ‘easy come, easy go’ concerning betting and losing your money.
It is also a good idea to wear a watch when you visit the casino, as most do not have any clocks on the walls. Again, this is deliberate and can give you an unreal sense of time – how long you’ve been there and over what period of time you’ve been losing money. In such a case, losses can snowball without you realizing their extent. Remember, YOU are in control.
