Set a money limit before you start
Choose an amount you can afford to lose without affecting rent, food, bills, debt payments or savings. Keep gambling money separate from essential spending and do not increase the limit because a session is going badly.
Use a fixed entertainment budget
A fixed weekly or monthly entertainment budget is easier to monitor than repeated small deposits. When the budget is finished, stop until the next planned period.
Set a time limit as well as a money limit
Decide how long you will play and use an alarm or device timer. Long sessions can make it harder to track spending and make calm decisions. Take regular breaks and avoid playing when tired, upset or under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Keep other activities protected
Do not let gambling replace sleep, work, family time, exercise or social commitments. If it repeatedly does, that is a sign to reduce or stop.
Do not chase losses
A loss does not create a debt that gambling must win back. Increasing stakes or deposits to recover losses can make the situation worse. Treat the money already spent as finished entertainment spending.
Do not borrow to gamble
Avoid credit, loans or money meant for essentials. Gambling outcomes are uncertain and there is no reliable strategy that guarantees recovery.
Take action when gambling stops feeling controlled
Warning signs can include hiding spending, borrowing, repeatedly breaking limits, losing sleep, feeling unable to stop or gambling to escape stress. Use platform limit or exclusion tools where available and seek professional support if gambling is causing harm.