How to avoid budget overruns

1. Accurate analysis of income and expenses

1. Collect bank statements and receipts for the last 3 months.
2. Divide all items of expenditure into mandatory (housing, food, communal) and optional.
3. Allocate a tough "entertainment" budget - the amount allowed for gambling that does not affect mandatory spending.

2. Tight limit planning

Deposits: set a daily, weekly and monthly limit for replenishment of the game account in the operator's personal account.
Bets: Set the maximum amount of one bet and the total bet limit per session.
Time: turn on reality checks - notifications about the duration of the session (every 30-60 minutes) and final blocking after a specified time.

3. Self-monitoring tools

1. Self-exclusion: short-term (24 h, 7 days) or long-term (3 months, 6 months or more) disconnection in the "Self-exclusion" section of the site or on the BetStop platform.
2. Pre-commitment: Fix bets and deposits in advance, without the ability to change them while playing.
3. Site/app blockers: Third-party browser extensions and mobile apps to restrict access to gaming sites during high-risk periods.

4. Keeping a game diary

Record the date, start and end time of the session, deposit and bet amounts, result (P/L) and emotional state.
Analyze deviations from the plan daily and adjust limits before the next session.

5. Alternative activities

1. Physical activity: walk, run, fitness session instead of another round of games.
2. Hobbies: reading, needlework, board games with friends.
3. Social contacts: meetings in cafes, joint hobbies, volunteering.

6. Psychological techniques

Pause technique: when an impulse appears, play stop, inhale deeply three times and postpone the decision for 10 minutes - often the impulse weakens.
Rule "Three no": no - start a session, no - increase the rate, no - change limits in the process.
Monitoring triggers: Capture situations (stress, boredom, alcohol) that most often lead to overspending and plan alternative responses.

7. Weekly Financial Review

Allocate 30 minutes at the end of the week to assess budget performance:

• Calculate your total spending on gambling.
• Compare actual figures with planned limits.
• For deviations above 10%, adjust the next weekly limit or use self-exclusion.

8. Emergency measures in case of breakdown

1. Self-exclusion for 24 hours: instant account blocking.
2. Contact the hotline: call 1800 858 858 for emergency psychological support and advice on financial control.
3. Temporary transfer of control: Ask a trusted friend or relative to access your gaming room and change limits.

9. External support

Hotline (24/7): 1800 858 858 for emergency conversation with the operator and instant advice.
Financial advisors: free through National Debt Helpline (1800 007 007) and regional Gambling Help Services.
Mutual assistance groups: Gamblers Anonymous, Dual Recovery - regular meetings to exchange experience and strengthen motivation.

10. Continuous monitoring of progress

Analyze key indicators once a month:

• compliance with deposit limits, rates and time;
• profit/loss ratio;
• stress levels and gaming needs.
• Based on the results of the review, consider the possibility of increasing the self-exclusion period or changing psychological support.

A systematic approach to budget planning, strict limits, regular analysis and the use of technical and psychological tools allow you to control spending on gambling and prevent overspending.