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Unlike a night in watching your favorite shows, there’s an inherent risk when it comes to gambling and, over time, odds are you will lose more often than you win. If you ever find yourself uncertain about the direction of your gambling habits, rest assured, you’re not alone. Explore the valuable tips below and don’t hesitate to seek support if you feel it’s time to navigate a safer and more controlled gambling journey.

Safe Gambling Tips

Unlike a night in watching your favorite shows, there’s an inherent built-in risk when it comes to gambling and odds are, over time, you will lose more often than you win. Here are some strategies you can use to play safe and have fun.

  1. Don’t gamble when you’re upset or stressed
  2. Limit your alcohol intake while gambling
  3. Know how the games work before you wager
  4. Treat the money you lose as the cost of your entertainment – any winnings are a bonus
  5. Set budget and time limits – there are tools available on many slot machines, mobile apps, and internet gambling sites to help you monitor your play
  6. Take frequent breaks – move around, get some fresh air, have something to eat or a coffee
  7. Only gamble with money you have – never borrow money or use money intended for necessities
  8. Don’t try to win back what you’ve lost
  9. Gambling is not a way to make money, so don’t think of it as a chance to win money for a trip, pay bills, or pay off debt
  10. Stick to your budget by leaving your credit and debit cards at home
  11. Balance gambling with other recreational activities
  12. If you choose to gamble, do so for fun – if your gambling is no longer fun, ask yourself why you’re doing it
  13. Don’t depend on “good luck” strategies – they don’t increase your chances of winning
  14. Educate yourself about problem gambling – the more you know, the better choices you can make

What To Know Before Gambling Online

  • Only gamble on websites that have pre-commitment tools in place to help you manage your play by setting time and/or money limits
  • Use a free gambling site blocker app to restrict or limit your access
  • Watch out for hidden fees when it comes to the costs of using your credit card to play
  • You can block sites you don’t want access to or set time limits using software like Bet Blocker and GamBan

Common warning signs of a gambling problem

Compulsive gamblers may try to hide their problems which can result in enormous stress on the gambler and their family and friends. Warning signs that gambling is becoming a problem include:

  • Experiencing a feeling of escape when gambling
  • Attempting to stop or control gambling behaviors with little or no progress
  • Losing time from work or family due to gambling
  • Needing to borrow money to gamble or pay gambling debts
  • Neglecting oneself or family in order to gamble
  • Lying about the amount of money spent on gambling
  • Gambling in an attempt to win back previous gambling losses
  • Selling or pawning personal possessions to get money to gamble
  • Feeling hopeless, depressed, or suicidal as a result of gambling

Screening Tools

Please visit the National Council on Problem Gambling screening tool page at https://www.ncpgambling.org/state/wyoming/ to access the following problem gambling assessment resources:
  • The Brief Biosocial Gambling Screen (BBGS): A 3-item survey designed to help people decide on their own whether to seek a formal evaluation of their gambling behavior.
  • DSM-5 Addictive Gambling Criteria: The American Psychiatric Association guidelines used for the medical diagnosis of addictive gambling.
  • NORC Diagnostic Screen for Gambling A simple 10-question self-test to help evaluate gambling behavior.
It is important to note that these tools are not a diagnosis and DO NOT replace a face-to-face evaluation with a trained clinical professional.

Help Is Available


For more information on resources available in Carbon County, you can also connect with Carbon County Prevention Network on Facebook.

Tracy Young

Tracy has dedicated the past 22 years to community prevention work in Wyoming, demonstrating a deep and unwavering commitment to the well-being of her peers and communities. The majority of her impactful career has been spent in Laramie, where she also served for several years with the Wyoming Association of Chiefs and Sheriffs of Police. Currently, Tracy serves Carbon County as a local Community Prevention Specialist. Her dedication extends beyond county lines, as she also serves as a Crisis Intervention Team Coordinator and Trainer for the Albany County Sheriff’s Office.

Tracy and her husband established their roots in Laramie in 2001 with their son, Alex. In 2013, during the heart of her career focused on substance abuse and suicide prevention, Tracy and her husband faced the unimaginable loss of their only child, Alex, to suicide. This profound personal experience has undoubtedly deepened Tracy’s resolve and understanding in her ongoing work within the prevention field.