Responsible Gaming

At Track Rankings, we are committed to promoting responsible gambling practices and ensuring that horse racing betting remains an enjoyable form of entertainment. We believe that betting should be done within your means and never interfere with your daily life, relationships, or financial stability.

What is Responsible Gambling?

Responsible gambling means betting in a way that is enjoyable, within your financial limits, and does not cause harm to yourself or others. It involves understanding the risks associated with gambling and making informed decisions about when, how much, and how often to bet.

Setting Limits

One of the most important aspects of responsible gambling is setting clear limits for yourself:

Financial Limits

• Set a budget: Decide how much money you can afford to lose before you start betting
• Never bet money you need: Only use money that you can afford to lose without affecting your essential expenses
• Set deposit limits: Most platforms allow you to set daily, weekly, or monthly deposit limits
• Track your spending: Keep a record of your betting activity to stay aware of how much you're spending

Time Limits

• Set session limits: Decide how long you'll spend betting in each session
• Take regular breaks: Step away from betting regularly to maintain perspective
• Don't bet when emotional: Avoid betting when you're upset, stressed, or under the influence
• Balance with other activities: Ensure betting doesn't interfere with work, family, or social activities

Warning Signs of Problem Gambling

It's important to recognize the warning signs that gambling may be becoming a problem:

Behavioral Signs

• Spending more money on betting than you can afford
• Chasing losses by betting more to try to win back money
• Lying to family or friends about your gambling activities
• Neglecting work, school, or family responsibilities to gamble
• Borrowing money to fund your gambling
• Feeling anxious or irritable when not gambling
• Unsuccessful attempts to cut down or stop gambling

Emotional Signs

• Feeling guilty or ashamed about your gambling
• Using gambling as a way to escape problems or negative emotions
• Feeling restless or irritable when trying to reduce gambling
• Preoccupation with gambling and thinking about it constantly

Self-Help Strategies

If you're concerned about your gambling habits, here are some strategies that can help:

Practical Steps

• Set strict limits: Use the limit-setting tools provided by betting platforms
• Remove temptation: Delete betting apps from your phone and avoid gambling websites
• Find alternative activities: Engage in other hobbies and activities you enjoy
• Seek support: Talk to trusted friends or family members about your concerns
• Consider self-exclusion: Use self-exclusion programs offered by betting platforms

Financial Management

• Have someone else manage your finances temporarily
• Set up automatic bill payments to ensure essential expenses are covered
• Consider closing or limiting access to credit cards
• Seek financial counseling if needed

Professional Help and Resources

If you're struggling with gambling problems, professional help is available. Don't hesitate to reach out for support:

National Resources

Platform Tools and Features

Most reputable horse racing platforms offer tools to help you gamble responsibly:

Deposit and Spending Limits

• Daily, weekly, and monthly deposit limits
• Loss limits to prevent excessive losses
• Session time limits
• Cooling-off periods for temporary breaks

Self-Exclusion Options

• Short-term self-exclusion (24 hours to 30 days)
• Long-term self-exclusion (6 months to permanent)
• Multi-platform exclusion programs
• Reality checks and pop-up reminders

Supporting Others

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

How to Help

• Express your concerns without judgment
• Offer emotional support and encouragement
• Help them find professional resources
• Don't enable their gambling by lending money
• Consider joining a support group for families affected by gambling

Legal and Age Requirements

Remember that:

• You must be 21 or older to participate in horse racing betting in the United States
• All platforms are required to verify your age and identity
• It's illegal to bet on behalf of someone under 21
• Platforms have a responsibility to promote responsible gambling

Our Commitment

Track Rankings is committed to promoting responsible gambling through:

• Providing accurate information about responsible gambling practices
• Only recommending licensed and regulated platforms
• Highlighting responsible gambling features in our reviews
• Providing resources and support information
• Never promoting gambling as a way to make money

Remember, gambling should be fun and entertaining. If it's not, it's time to seek help. There's no shame in asking for support, and help is always available.

Last Updated: January 15, 2025