Responsible Gambling Versus Problem Gambling
Four out of five Americans gamble at least once every year, but not everyone develops a gambling problem. Here are just a few ways to tell the difference between a responsible gambler and a problem gambler.
A Responsible Gambler: | A Problem Gambler: |
---|---|
Gambles for entertainment | Gambles as a way to make money |
Balances gambling with other activities | Is preoccupied with gambling to the exclusion of all other activities |
Gambles with family and friends | Gambles alone |
Accepts losses as a part of the experience | Chases losses with more gambling |
Gambles only with discretionary income | Gambles with money set aside for everyday expenses |
Never borrows money for gambling | Borrows money from friends, family, and cash machines for gambling |
Sets a budget and a time limit for gambling and sticks to it | Sets no budget or time limit |
Minnesota Department of Human Services. (Updated 2012, October 26). Responsible gambling versus problem gambling. Retrieved April 28, 2015, from http://www.dhs.state.mn.us/