Half-time

Set the limit before kick-off

Decide a weekly budget before the first game starts, and treat it as spent the moment it goes into an account. Money meant for rent or bills is never betting money.

Pick a stop time as well as a stop amount. A session with no end point is how a flutter on one game turns into a night on the whole card.

Never chase a loss. A bet placed to win back the last one is priced by the same book at the same margin, and it is usually bigger.

Signs the bet has stopped being a game

• You stake more than you planned to get the same buzz from a result.
• You borrow money, or dip into money meant for bills, to place a bet.
• You play down or hide how much you bet from the people close to you.
• You chase a loss with a bigger stake on the next game.
• You feel restless or short-tempered when you try to cut back.

If any of these sound familiar, take the break now and talk to someone below.

Tools most licensed books offer

Look for these in the account or safer gambling settings of the book you use.

Deposit limits

Cap what can go into the account over a day, a week or a month.

Time-outs

Lock the account for a short break you choose, from a day to a few weeks.

Reality checks

A reminder on screen that shows how long the session has run.

Self-exclusion

Close the account for a longer period you choose. Use it when a break is not enough.

Under 18

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