Setting Personal Limits: A Template for Safer Gambling

What we disclose: This product/service is only available to over 21’s in regulated states. All promotions contain risk. Bet responsibly and don’t ever play with more than you can afford to lose (or get by without). This content is neither legal nor financial advice. If you have a gambling problem — seek help immediately (numbers below). Updated: 23 December 2025 • By: Editorial Team • Sources • FAQ

Last updated: 23 December 2025 • By: Editorial Team • Sources • FAQ

Table of Contents

• What “Personal Limits” Mean in Safer Gambling
• Why Limits Work: The Psychology and Evidence
• Before You Set Limits: Make a Safe Gambling Budget
• The Template: Personal Limits Planner
• Example Filled-In Plan
• How to Implement Limits on Sites and Apps
• Stay on Track: Review and Spot Red Flags
• Tools and Resources for Safer Gambling
• If Limits Aren’t Enough: When to Seek Help
• Frequently Asked Questions

What “Personal Limits” Mean in Safer Gambling

Types of limits:

Common limit types:

• Deposit limit: how much money you can add to your account per day, week, or month.
• Loss limit: the most you can lose per session, day, or week.
• Time limit: how long you can play per session or per day.
• Bet size cap: the max stake per bet or spin.
• Reality check: a pop-up that reminds you of time and spend, for example every 30 minutes.
• Cooling-off: a short break (for example 24 hours). You cannot play during the break.
• Self-exclusion: a longer block from play (months or years). This is for when you need a full stop.

Use limits on the site. Also use your own rules on paper. Both together work best.

Why Limits Work: The Psychology and Evidence

Limits help because you decide when you are calm. This is called “pre-commitment.” It adds a small “pause” before you spend more. That pause breaks the “chase” and helps your brain reset.

Many public groups support limit tools. Read more from trusted sources:

• National Council on Problem Gambling (US)
• BeGambleAware (UK)
• GamCare: Safer Gambling
• NHS: Gambling addiction help
• Gambling Help Online (AU): Responsible gambling

Before You Set Limits: Make a Safe Gambling Budget

Only use “fun money.” This is money left after all needs. Never use credit. Never use loans. Never use rent or bill money.

An easy way to manage this is to ask the following question before any play:

1. Write your monthly income.
2. Subtract essentials: rent, food, transport, meds, bills, debt pay, savings, an emergency fund.
3. What is left is “discretionary” money. Take a small part of that for gambling, or choose zero.
4. Keep it low. Many people use a small percent of discretionary money. Pick an amount you can lose and still be fine.

Use a simple check before play:

• If I lost this amount today, would my week be okay? If “no,” do not play.
• Do I feel stressed, angry, or tired? If “yes,” do not play.
• Have I had alcohol or drugs? If “yes,” do not play.

The Template: Personal Limits Planner

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Personal Limits Planner

Site limits I, personally, will set:

• Monthly discretionary money: [amount]
• Monthly gambling budget (≤ small part of discretionary): [amount]
• Per-session spend cap: [amount]

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• Deposit limit: [per day/week/month and amount]
• Loss limit: [per session/day/week and amount]
• Time limit per session: [minutes]
• Daily total time limit: [hours]
• Bet size cap per wager: [amount]
• Reality check pop-up: [every X minutes]
• Cooling-off plan: [for example 24–72 hours after a bad session]
• Self-exclusion plan if needed: [trigger signs and length]

What I will do if I notice a warning sign

• Chasing losses
• Hiding play or spend
• Skipping work, school, or family time
• Using credit or borrowing money
• Feeling numb, angry, or hopeless

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1. Stop play now. Close the app or site.
2. Start a cooling-off for 72 hours or more.
3. Tell my support person: [name/phone].
4. Turn on a bank gambling block.
5. Install a blocking app (see tools below).
6. If I still want to play, start self-exclusion.

Tools I will use

• On-site limits and time-outs
• Bank gambling block
• Blocking app on phone and PC
• Budget app

Accountability

• Review date each month: [date]
• I will tell: [name]
• Notes from my review: [short notes]

Example Filled-In Plan

Alex has $1,200 discretionary money per month. Alex picks a $150 gambling budget. Alex sets a $25 stake cap per bet, a 90-minute session limit, and a reality check every 30 minutes. Alex adds a $50 loss limit per session. If Alex has two bad sessions in a row, Alex takes a 72-hour cooling-off. If Alex feels the urge to chase losses, Alex tells a friend and uses a bank block the same day.

How to Implement Limits on Sites and Apps

Most licensed sites have a “Safer Gambling” or “Responsible Gambling” page. The link is often in the footer or in your account.

1. Go to the safer gambling section.
2. Set your deposit, loss, and time limits. Pick daily, weekly, or monthly. Save.
3. Turn on reality checks (for example every 30 minutes).
4. Find “cooling-off” or “time-out” and set a period that fits you.
5. Find “self-exclusion” and read how it works on your site and in your country.
6. Take screenshots of your settings. Keep them.
7. Do not raise limits in the heat of the moment. Many sites add a wait period for increases. This is good.

Tip: Not all sites do safety well. Compare licensed operators by their limit tools and blocks. Clear reviews and practical guides help you see these features fast. For a simple, safety-first overview in Spanish, you can check guías de apuestas that explain limit tools, time-outs, and self-exclusion options on regulated sites.

Learn more about safe tools from trusted bodies:

• UK Gambling Commission: Safer gambling
• GAMSTOP (UK online self-exclusion)
• New Jersey DGE: Self-Exclusion (US example)

Stay on Track: Review and Spot Red Flags

Some of the things to look for when a red flag is raised:

• Did you stay under your budget? If not, lower limits and take a break.
• Did you play longer than planned? Shorten session time next month.
• Any urges to chase losses? Plan a cooling-off after any bad day.
• Did you hide play from someone? This is a strong sign. Ask for help now.

If you hit a red flag, act fast:

• Stop play today. Take a 7-day break.
• Tell a friend or family member.
• Turn on bank blocks and install a blocking app.
• Book a chat with a helpline or counselor.

Tools and Resources for Safer Gambling

Offsite URLs

• Deposit, loss, time limits, and reality checks (see your account settings)
• Cooling-off and self-exclusion options on each site

If you want to join us, we encourage you to dive into the contributing section. We have set up some recurrent community calls to help each other out and review new additions to the documentation templates. you can find all of these on our public Github and in a brief introductory recording.

• Monzo gambling block (UK)
• Barclays merchant controls (UK)
• Gamban device blocking
• BetBlocker free blocking
• GamBlock blocking software
• Moneysmart budgeting help (AU)

Support and learning

• NCPG Helpline (US): 1-800-GAMBLER
• GamCare Helpline and Chat (UK)
• ConnexOntario (Canada)
• Gambling Help Online (Australia)
• BeGambleAware education

If Limits Aren’t Enough: When to Seek Help

There is zero shame in asking for help. Problems can grow fast. Early help works best.

• Call a helpline. In the US, call or text 1-800-GAMBLER. In the UK, call GamCare 0808 8020 133.
• Start a long self-exclusion if you need a full stop: GAMSTOP (UK) for online. UKGC guidance. New Jersey DGE (US example).
• GAMSTOP (UK) for online.
• UKGC guidance.
• New Jersey DGE (US example).
• Ask your doctor or a counselor for support. See NHS guidance (UK) or NCPG Treatment Finder (US).

• GAMSTOP (UK) for online.
• UKGC guidance.
• New Jersey DGE (US example).

Frequently Asked Questions

A budget is only from extra “fun” money after all needs. Many people pick a small part of discretionary money. If a loss would hurt your week, the budget is too high.

Use both. Deposit limits cap how much you add. Loss limits cap how much you can lose in a period. Together they protect your wallet and your sessions.

T1Final note: betting should always be affordable and friendly. Remember the staking sheet, remember to set limits on each site, remember to revisit the staking sheet each month. Remember to choose a licensed operator and to read easy articles (e.g. guías de apuestas ) about setting limits and self exclusion before signing up. And if you struggle with any of that, take a break now and call a support number . T2Disclaimer : operators and resources may be mentioned, included, linked. No medial or financial advice. Do your own research and refer to authorities, legislations, gambling regulators resources.

Switch to a licensed site with clear limit settings, time-outs, and self-exclusion. Check regulator advice like the UKGC. Also read neutral reviews and guías de apuestas that show these tools before you join.

A cooling-off is a short break (hours or days). Self-exclusion is a longer block (months or years). Use self-exclusion if you feel out of control.

Many banks let you block gambling payments. You can turn it on in the app. Some banks add a delay to turn it off. See examples like Monzo and Barclays.

Key Sources and Further Reading

• NCPG: Safer Gambling
• BeGambleAware: Safer Gambling
• GamCare: Safer Gambling and Tools
• NHS: Gambling Addiction
• Gambling Help Online: Responsible Gambling
• UKGC: Safer Gambling
• GAMSTOP (UK) self-exclusion
• New Jersey DGE: Self-Exclusion
• Gamban • BetBlocker • GamBlock
• Monzo Gambling Block • Barclays Merchant Controls

Closing note: Gambling should be small, fun, and affordable. Use the template, set limits on-site, and review your plan each month. If you choose to play, pick only licensed sites with clear safety tools, and read simple guides like guías de apuestas that explain limits and blocks before you join. If play feels hard to control, stop now and reach out to a helpline.

Disclosure: We may list or link to operators and tools. We do not give financial or legal advice. Always check local laws and official regulator pages.