Responsible gaming

Responsible Gaming is a concept that gaming and gambling operators, software suppliers and associated service providers need to uphold to ensure their offerings uphold the highest standards to ensure a fair and safe gaming experience that protects players from the adverse consequences of gaming and gambling.

If you choose to wager on horses or any type of gambling whether it require skill like horse betting, poker or fantasy sports or if it is purely luck like a slot machine, you should only spend what you can afford to lose.

Gambling is a leisure activity. Whether you or someone you know chooses to gamble, it’s important to understand that gambling comes with potentially serious risks. Because the fact is most people lose when they play the lottery, play a casino game, or place a bet. That’s why you, your family, and your friends should know how to protect yourselves when it comes to problem gambling. Although you can increase your chances of winning through diligent practice of handicapping in horse racing, there are only a few people who can claim to consistently win at horse racing.

Problem Gambling

Almost everyone who develops a gambling problem thinks it’s just a matter of time until they’ll hit the jackpot. They often gamble to the point that their relationships, finances, and health are negatively affected. That’s why it’s important to make gambling safer. Check out the guy above. Do you think he won a superfecta? No, we don’t either. Yes, enjoy a pint or two and a punt or three— but please be RESPONSIBLE

Tips for Safer Gambling

• Don’t think of gambling as a way to make money.
  The bottom line is that gambling establishments like land-based casinos and online gambling sites are set up to take in more money than they pay out. This means that over time, you will lose more money than you win. And, remember it’s not just casinos. All forms of gambling have the same principle – the vast majority of people lose so that a very small minority can have big wins. Virtually all people with gambling problems hold the false expectation that they are the ones who will be the big winners. That belief feeds the problem.
  
  
• Always gamble with money that you can afford to lose.
  Gamble with money that you set aside for fun, like going to the movies or going out for drinks. Never use money that you need for important things like rent, bills, tuition, etc.
  
  
• Never chase losses.
  If you lose money, never try to get it back by going over your limit. This usually leads to even bigger losses.
  
  
• Set a money limit.
  Decide how much money you can afford to lose before you play. When you have lost that amount of money, quit. If you win – enjoy, but remember it won’t happen most of the time.
  
  
• Set a time limit.
  Decide how much time you can afford to spend gambling. When you reach that time limit, stop gambling.
  
  
• Don’t gamble when you are depressed or upset.
  It is hard to make good decisions about gambling when you are feeling down.
  
  
• Balance gambling with other activities.
  It’s important to enjoy other activities so that gambling doesn’t become too big a part of your life.
  
  
• Gambling and alcohol are not a good combination.
  Gambling under the influence is common, but it generally leads people to make bad decisions that they regret later.

(Credit: Responsible Gambling Council. The Responsible Gambling Council is an independent non-profit organization dedicated to problem gambling prevention. For more information, please visit their site: www.responsiblegambling.org)

At BUSR, if you want to limit your access to certain products and services, please email us and we will be happy to oblige. If you want to bet on horses but don’t want to be tempted by the casino, we can remove that product from your account. Likewise, if you feel you need a “breather” from playing, let us know and we are happy to help. Remember, if you think you have a problem— even if it is small— then you probably do. There is no shame to this as science has proven that some individuals are generically predisposed to certain behaviors that may become a burden and problem. While we want you to have fun at the track— we don’t want you to engage in something if you are in over your head.

There is help

If you feel you have a problem, please contact any of these organizations: