Responsible Gaming

At Running Horse Guide, we are committed to promoting responsible gaming practices and helping our users maintain a healthy relationship with horse racing betting. While horse racing can be an exciting and entertaining activity, it's important to approach it responsibly.

What is Responsible Gaming?

Responsible gaming means enjoying horse racing betting as entertainment while maintaining control over the time and money you spend. It involves understanding the risks, setting limits, and recognizing when gambling may be becoming a problem.

Guidelines for Responsible Betting

Set Clear Limits

Before you start betting, establish clear boundaries:

  • Budget Limits: Only bet money you can afford to lose. Never use money needed for essential expenses like rent, groceries, or bills.
  • Time Limits: Set specific time limits for your betting activities and stick to them.
  • Loss Limits: Decide in advance how much you're willing to lose in a day, week, or month.
  • Win Goals: Set realistic winning targets and walk away when you reach them.

Understand the Odds

Remember that:

  • Horse racing betting is designed to be profitable for the platforms over the long term
  • No betting system or strategy can guarantee wins
  • Each race is independent, and past results don't predict future outcomes
  • The house always has an edge in pari-mutuel betting through takeout percentages

Maintain Perspective

Keep betting in perspective by:

  • Treating betting as entertainment, not as a way to make money
  • Never chasing losses with larger bets
  • Taking regular breaks from betting activities
  • Maintaining other hobbies and interests outside of horse racing

Warning Signs of Problem Gambling

Be aware of these warning signs that may indicate gambling is becoming a problem:

  • Betting more money than you can afford to lose
  • Lying to family or friends about your betting activities
  • Feeling anxious, depressed, or restless when not betting
  • Chasing losses with bigger bets
  • Neglecting work, family, or personal responsibilities due to betting
  • Borrowing money to fund your betting activities
  • Feeling like you need to bet to solve financial problems
  • Being unable to stop or reduce your betting despite wanting to

Self-Help Tools and Strategies

Platform Controls

Most reputable horse racing platforms offer tools to help you maintain control:

  • Deposit Limits: Set daily, weekly, or monthly deposit limits
  • Spending Limits: Restrict how much you can wager in a specific time period
  • Time Limits: Set session time limits to control how long you spend betting
  • Self-Exclusion: Temporarily or permanently exclude yourself from betting platforms
  • Reality Checks: Receive pop-up reminders about how long you've been betting

Personal Strategies

  • Keep a betting diary to track your spending and time
  • Use separate accounts for betting funds and essential expenses
  • Set phone alarms to remind yourself to take breaks
  • Share your limits with trusted friends or family members
  • Find alternative activities to replace betting time

Getting Help

If you're concerned about your gambling habits or need support, these organizations provide free, confidential help:

National Resources

Treatment Options

Professional help is available through:

  • Licensed therapists who specialize in gambling addiction
  • Support groups for people with gambling problems
  • Inpatient and outpatient treatment programs
  • Financial counseling services
  • Family therapy and support for affected loved ones

For Friends and Family

If you're concerned about someone else's gambling:

  • Approach them with empathy and without judgment
  • Encourage them to seek professional help
  • Don't lend money or cover their gambling debts
  • Consider seeking support for yourself through family therapy or support groups
  • Remember that you cannot control their gambling behavior

Our Commitment

Running Horse Guide is committed to:

  • Promoting only licensed and regulated horse racing platforms
  • Providing honest, unbiased reviews that include responsible gaming information
  • Never targeting vulnerable populations in our content
  • Regularly updating our responsible gaming resources
  • Supporting organizations that help problem gamblers

Age Verification

You must be 21 years or older to participate in horse racing betting in the United States. All platforms we review require age verification and have measures in place to prevent underage gambling.

Additional Resources

  • International Centre for Youth Gambling Problems: youthgambling.mcgill.ca
  • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988
  • Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741
  • SAMHSA National Helpline: 1-800-662-4357

Remember: Seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness. If you think you may have a gambling problem, reach out for support today.