Decision-making can be more difficult when you’re stressed or upset.

Don’t gamble when you’re depressed or feeling low.

But remember not to feel pressured because someone in the group is spending more or playing longer.

Going to a casino with others means you can watch out for one another.

Look for the odds and payouts on games you’re playing so you’re fully informed.

The odds are always in the casino’s favour.

Remember that casino gambling is a form of entertainment, not a way to make money.

Gambling shouldn’t be the only activity you do in your spare time.

Balance gambling with other leisure activities.

If you’re not sure how to do this, ask one of the casino staff for help.

Consider using the casino’s pre-commitment facility to limit how much time or money you spend gambling.

Set a time limit for your visit to the casino.

Don’t try and win back money you’ve lost.

When you run out of money, don’t borrow from family, friends or others so you can keep gambling.

Leave your bank and credit cards at home when you gamble. This money should not be needed for basic living expenses, such as food etc.

Only gamble with money you can afford to lose.Number 23 has the same chance of winning on any spin. But the outcome of the roulette wheel is completely random and does not have a memory. If you see that number 23 has not come up for a long time it may seem logical to think it must be coming up soon. Some roulette players may continue playing even if they are consistently losing because they feel it’s their turn to win. Don't be fooled by any patterns, they’re just an illusion. The little ball has no memory and can’t remember where it last landed. The reality is, the next spin is unrelated to all previous spins.

It’s tempting to check the displays for patterns and change your bets according to what you see. You may see an electronic display that shows the outcomes of the last few spins. This is also known as ‘gamblers fallacy’. So in games like roulette, craps, baccarat, keno, wheel of fortune and pokie machines, the brain sees patterns that aren’t there - your mind is literally being tricked. Random means that it’s impossible to predict the future from the past. However, it runs into problems when it tries to spot patterns in games that are random. Your brain is constantly scanning the world for things that are predictable and meaningful so that it knows what to do next.

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