Tips on gambling responsibly

Ever visit a casino and spend more money than you realize? Think gambling would be the solution to your financial problems?

According to the American Gaming Association, gambling is a form of entertainment enjoyed by millions. But while it can be comparable to leisure activities such as attending movies, athletic events or the theater, patrons should set limits with gambling and know when to stop.

"The entire gaming entertainment industry works to make responsible gaming a priority 365 days a year," said Gary Loveman, chair, president and CEO of Harrah's Entertainment Inc. and chair of AGA, the industry trade group. "We want our customers to come to our casinos to have a good time and always play within their limits."

Here are some tips from the AGA to help patrons gamble responsibly.

•Remember that gambling, by its nature, entails risk and that the odds of winning are with the house.

•Gamble socially with family, friends or colleagues- not alone.

•Limit gambling by predetermining how much to gamble and for how long.

•Decide how much money to use for gambling before starting and never gamble more than you can afford.

•Never borrow money to gamble from any funding source- not even a friend or relative- especially with the intention of repaying that debt with gambling winnings.

•Don't gamble when under stress or coping with the death of a loved one, to solve personal problems, to impress others or when feeling lonely, angry or depressed.

•Drink alcohol responsibly when gambling. Too much alcohol could affect one's judgment and interfere with one's ability to control gambling and adhere to predetermined limits.

For some people, gambling is no longer entertainment- it has become something they need to do rather than something they want to do. The AGA advises those who cannot gamble responsibly to seek help. Call (800) 5224700 for confidential assistance.

For more information on responsible gaming, visit www.americangaming.org.

This story is provided by NewsUSA.