Key Insights
Quick Answer
A responsible gambling checklist helps you set limits, avoid chasing, track your habits, and step away early when gambling stops being fun.
Best Way To Avoid Problems
Decide your limits before you deposit, and follow a “one deposit per session” rule.
Biggest Advantage
A checklist removes decision-making when emotions are high.
Common Mistake
Believing you’ll “figure it out as you go.”
Pro Tip
If you feel urgency, you don’t need better strategy—you need a break.
Before You Play: The Pre-Session Checklist
1) Ask: Why Am I Playing Today?
Pick one:
- entertainment
- social fun
- passing time
If the answer is:
- “to win money”
- “to fix a loss”
- “to escape stress”
…that’s a warning sign. Take a break instead.
2) Set A Time Limit (And A Hard Stop)
Decide:
- total session time
- a hard stop time (clock time)
Example:
“I play for 45 minutes. I stop at 9:30 p.m.”
Time limits protect you even when results feel emotional.
3) Set A Deposit Limit You Can Lose Comfortably
This should be money you can lose without:
- skipping bills
- borrowing
- stressing all week
If losing the deposit would hurt tomorrow, it’s too high.
4) Set A Loss Limit Inside The Deposit
Your deposit limit is not your loss limit.
Example:
Deposit: $100
Loss limit: $60
Stop rule: “If I lose $60, I’m done.”
This prevents the “might as well spend the rest” trap.
5) Set A Max Bet Rule
Bigger bets create bigger emotion spikes.
Choose a max bet you will not exceed, even if you’re winning.
6) Decide Your Game Plan (No Random Switching)
Random switching often happens when you’re chasing.
Pick:
- one or two games
- a simple plan
- a clear stop rule
7) One Deposit Per Session
This is one of the strongest protective rules.
If you break it, chasing becomes easier.
If you stick to it, control becomes easier.
8) Remove Risk Triggers
Before you start:
- don’t drink
- don’t play when exhausted
- don’t play when angry or stressed
- don’t play when you feel lonely and urgent
The best session is a calm session.
During Play: The In-Session Checklist
9) Use Reality Checks And Reminders
Set reminders for:
- time
- spend
- breaks
If your casino offers reminders, turn them on.
10) Do A Quick Mood Check Every 10 Minutes
Ask:
- am I still calm?
- am I still having fun?
- am I trying to “fix” something?
If fun is gone, stop.
11) Watch For Chasing Signals
Chasing signs include:
- raising bets to recover faster
- thinking “I need to get even”
- depositing again
- switching games to “find a win”
If you catch chasing early, you save the session.
12) Take A Break If You Feel Urgency
Urgency is the red light.
Break options:
- stand up and walk
- drink water
- breathe for 60 seconds
- leave the room
- close the app
If the urge grows during the break, end the session.
13) Don’t “Protect A Win” By Playing Longer
A common trap is:
“I’m up, so I’ll keep going.”
If you planned to stop at a time or amount, stop.
Your plan matters more than your mood.
After You Play: The Post-Session Checklist
14) Record Three Simple Numbers
Write down:
- time spent
- total deposit
- total win or loss
This builds awareness fast.
15) Ask: Did I Stick To My Rules?
Answer honestly:
- yes
- partly
- no
If “no,” identify the trigger:
- stress
- boredom
- alcohol
- chasing
- late-night fatigue
16) If You Broke Rules, Add A Barrier
Don’t just “try harder.”
Add friction:
- lower limits
- use cooling-off
- remove saved payments
- block sites
- self-exclude if needed
Behaviour changes when access changes.
Strong “Never Do This” Rules
Keep these locked:
- never borrow money to gamble
- never gamble with bill money
- never chase losses
- never hide gambling from others
- never gamble while drinking
- never re-deposit in the same session
If you break these often, step up support.
When To Use Cooling-Off Or Self-Exclusion
Use a cooling-off period when:
- you feel urgent often
- you keep breaking limits
- you can’t stop thinking about gambling
Use self-exclusion when:
- you keep re-depositing
- chasing is frequent
- you feel out of control
- gambling is harming money, sleep, mood, or relationships
These tools exist for a reason.
FAQ
Is Responsible Gambling Just About Limits?
Limits are a big part, but it’s also about triggers, mood, and stopping when fun is gone.
What’s The Most Important Rule?
One deposit per session and no chasing. Those two rules prevent the fastest spirals.
Should I Quit If I Keep Breaking Rules?
Taking a break is often the smartest move. If breaking rules repeats, step up support.
Does This Apply To Sports Betting Too?
Yes. The same patterns—chasing, urgency, impulse—show up in any betting format.
What If I Feel Ashamed About My Habits?
Shame is common. It’s also a reason to get support. You don’t have to do this alone.
Where To Go Next
Now that you have the full checklist, go back to the main guide and build your personal plan using the full responsible gambling framework.
Next Article: The Complete Guide To Responsible Gambling
Next Steps
If you want to understand the basics first, start with The Complete Guide To Responsible Gambling.
If you want to compare how to spot misleading “safe play” claims, read How To Recognize Misleading “Safe Play” Claims From Bad Operators.
If your goal is to build a long-term safe plan, re-read this checklist before every session for the next two weeks and track your results.
Gridzy Hockey is Shurzy’s daily NHL grid game where you pretend you’re just messing around and then suddenly you’re 15 minutes deep arguing with yourself about whether some 2009 fourth-liner qualifies as a 40-goal guy.
If you think you know puck, prove it. Go play Gridzy right now!
