Safer Gambling Week: Top tips for staying safe when having a bet

Safer Gambling Week aims to raise awareness of the dangers gambling can pose and promote conversations regarding safe betting practices. We at MyRacing are huge supporters of Safer Gambling Week and the messages it promotes. With that in mind, we’ve put together some top tips that can help you to stay safe when having a bet.

Keeping track of your bets

One of the most common ways that punters can get into trouble is by chasing losers. Keeping track of every bet you have can help to keep you focused and should ensure that you know exactly how much ahead or behind you are. This can be as simple as making a note of all you bets and record winners and losers in different colours, but find a method that suits you best and stick to it.

Keep it fun!

Recreational betting should be a fun activity and if you’ve reached the point where it becomes stressful, upsetting or anxiety-inducing, you should stop immediately. Financial decisions should always be made whilst level-headed and with a calm mind and betting is no different.

Be selective with your betting

There is an awful amount of horse racing and sport going on all day every day and it’s important to remember you don’t need to bet on all of it. Stick to what you know, as finding a speciality is a good way of ensuring things don’t get out of control. Some prefer to focus on the big racing at the weekends and other’s prefer mid-week stuff at smaller tracks. Most successful recreational gamblers have a preference and it’s important not to over do it.

It’s good to talk

Safer Gambling Week seeks to normalise conversations regarding the issues around betting practices and as such, there are organisations out there that can help if you are struggling. Be honest with yourself and the people closest to you, it’s amazing how liberating a conversation can be!

If you are concerned about your gambling and are worried you may have a problem, click here to find advice on how you can receive help.