Setting limits and budgets

Here are some tips to help you create a time and money budget when gambling:

1. Decide on your maximum play time before starting: 
   Before you begin gambling, choose a specific amount of time you will spend. For example, you might decide to play for one hour.
2. Use a timer or alarm    
   Set a timer on your phone, watch or another device to alert you when your session is over. This helps you keep track of time even if you get caught up in the game.
3. Take regular breaks
   Schedule short breaks every 30–60 minutes to assess how much time you have spent and how you are feeling.
4. Inform someone you trust
   Tell a friend or family member about your time limit. They can check in with you and help hold you accountable.
5. Plan other activities:
   Schedule another activity after your gambling session. This gives you a reason to stop on time.
    

1. Only gamble with your entertainment budget
   Assess your income and subtract all essential expenses (rent, groceries, bills, savings, etc...). The money left over can go towards your entertainment budget. Only use a portion of this for gambling and never dip into funds needed for essentials.
2. Decide on a fixed amount
   Choose a specific amount of money that you’re comfortable losing and stick to it. Many experts recommend capping your gambling budget at one to five per cent of your disposable income. For example, if you have $400 left for leisure after bills, you might allocate $20–$40 for gambling.
3. Track your spending
   Monitor your gambling activity using apps, spreadsheets or other resources such as the GameSense Players Log. [Link to GameSense Players Log brochure] This practice helps you stay within your budget and recognize patterns within your play.
4. Never borrow money to gamble
   Only gamble with money you can afford to lose. Borrowing money from friends, family and even financial institutions using credit cards or loans can lead to financial problems and stress on relationships.
5. Set session limits
   Establish both a time and money budget for each gambling session. For example, “I’ll play for one hour and stop if I lose $50 or win $75.” Using a double-limit approach keeps you accountable on both time and money.

Play Alberta [Link to Play Alberta GameSense Tools] and Winner’s Edge [link to Winners Edge GameSense tools] both offer GameSense tools to their members, allowing them to select and activate personalized limits with the option to adjust them as needed. These features help support patrons by providing “reality checks”, a pause in game play where players will need to acknowledge pop-up information regarding their set limits before continuing. This lapse in play helps players make conscious decisions about whether to continue on or to call it a day.