How to Bet Responsibly and Avoid Problem Gambling in Sports Betting
When you opt to place bets on sporting events, it is important to ensure you aren’t going beyond your means. Doing so can lead to gambling addiction and various other problems can arise due to that. That’s why it is ideal to know how to bet in a responsible way – to avoid falling victim to it. Here, we have outlined some guidance for you to follow regarding this. Take it on board and try to execute this responsible gambling system when you bet on sports at top online sportsbooks in South Africa.
What Is Responsible Gambling?
What do we mean when we speak of gambling in a responsible way? This relates to engaging in gambling activity in the safest way possible. It involves you following a set of initiatives held by the gambling industry, which ensures the integrity and fairness of their operations. Responsible gambling also promotes the awareness of the harm that gambling can cause. This includes problem gambling and gambling addiction.
How to Gamble Responsibly
If you set about placing a wager on every possible market because the odds seemed excellent, then you would likely find yourself in a dazed and confused state – and likely with a zero balance by the end of it. While it can be difficult to resist placing bets here, there, and everywhere considering the potential for winning big money, it’s important to have some sense of control. Just because there is a huge number of markets available for every soccer match available to bet on doesn’t mean you should wager on them all.
Here are some tips to follow to ensure you place appropriate and responsible bets:
- Limit the Number of Tips You See Online – If you use Twitter or other social media for predictions and tips, then it is ideal to limit the number of posts you see about these. Bettors tend to follow large numbers of betting accounts online, to get as many hints as possible. Yet this can also lead to you being overwhelmed and placing more bets than necessary. Only utilise those that are suggested Tweets for you, for example, as these have the most interaction.
- Define a Proper Bankroll and Stick to It – Your first task whenever you decide to start betting is to define your bankroll. Make sure you put aside a certain amount of money specifically for betting with. This should be an amount you can afford to lose each week or month, for example. Deposit this at your chosen South African sportsbook and don’t deviate from it. If you lose, don’t be tempted to deposit beyond your bankroll to recuperate the losses.
- Clearly Define the Sports and Markets You Wager On – It’s always ideal to know what sports you are good at betting on and those you aren’t. The same with the betting markets as well. If you enjoy and have good results from tennis betting online, why would you opt to wager on boxing, for example? Having knowledge on certain sports and/or tournaments is always going to give you a sense of confidence and can result in you managing your bankroll effectively.
- Set Unit Sizes Per Bet – It’s never ideal to use your entire bankroll on a single big bet. You should split it up into smaller segments per wager. Most professionals never bet more than 3% – 4% of their bankroll per market. Set a unit amount and stick to it each time.
- Keep a Record of Your Wagers – We always recommend noting down every bet that you place. This is simple enough to do on a spreadsheet if you don’t want to write it down on a notepad. Put as much information down as possible, so that you know where you stand with your bets and your remaining balance. Always make it clear when you break your own betting rules. Highlight such in red, so that you know these instances aren’t becoming too frequent.
With over 18 years of experience in the gambling industry, Brian is the go-to guy for anyone who wants to successfully navigate the world of sports betting. Growing up listening to stories from his father, a legendary croupier at the San Vincent casino, Brando turned this passion into a successful career.
Brian Thompson
