Betseeker is strongly committed to responsible gambling, and wants gambling to be a fun, recreational activity.
12 practical tips for safer betting
1. Only bet what you can afford to lose
This is the most important thing of all. Seriously think about your budget, what you can afford to spend on your hobby, and don’t go over that amount.
2. Don’t assume that any bet will win
It’s easy to get ahead of yourself by mentally banking potential profits, but this can be a dangerous assumption and easily lead to overspending.
3. Record all your bets
A simple way to hold yourself accountable is to record all your bets in a spreadsheet. That way you will know how much you are spending and whether you need to rein it in.
4. Have a staking plan
You should only place a small portion of your betting bank on any one bet.
5. Keep an even head
Gambling can be a stressful activity even for the most experienced and skillful of bettors. If it’s getting stressful, it’s time to walk away.
6. Take a break
It’s easy to get caught up betting race to race, or match to match. If you find yourself spending too long or too much, get up and do something else.
7. Set a deposit limit
All bookmakers will allow you to set a limit on how much you deposit. This means that even if you get caught up in the moment, you can’t go over your pre designated spending amount.
8. Don’t feel the need to keep up with others bet sizes
Everyone has different circumstances. You don’t need to bet large amounts, or the same as your mates.
9. There is always another race or another match
They don’t all need to be bet on.
10. Don’t cancel withdrawals
One way gamblers can get themselves into trouble is by canceling withdrawals, which later can be a source of regret. Some bookmakers allow you to disable the cancel withdrawal feature and this is a good idea.
11. Look out for your mates
If you suspect a friend or family member is having issues with their gambling, contact a responsible gambling organisation in your state or territory for advice on what to do. The national gambling helpline is 1800 858 858.
