1What is a bankroll?
Your bankroll is the total amount of money you have set aside specifically for gambling. It is separate from your living expenses, savings and any other financial commitments. Managing your bankroll means deciding how much to bet, when to stop and how to make your money last as long as possible.
Good bankroll management does not guarantee wins - no strategy can do that. What it does is extend your playing time, reduce the risk of losing everything in one session and help you stay in control of your gambling.
2The 1-5% rule
The most important bankroll management rule is never to bet more than 1-5% of your session bankroll on a single spin or hand. This ensures that a losing streak does not wipe out your entire bankroll before you have a chance to recover.
Bankroll calculator example:
R500 bankroll at 2% per spin = R10 per spin
At 200 spins per hour, your session budget lasts approximately 1 hour
At 1% per spin (R5), your budget lasts approximately 2 hours
| Bankroll | 1% per spin | 2% per spin | 5% per spin |
|---|---|---|---|
| R200 | R2 | R4 | R10 |
| R500 | R5 | R10 | R25 |
| R1,000 | R10 | R20 | R50 |
| R2,000 | R20 | R40 | R100 |
| R5,000 | R50 | R100 | R250 |
3Session limits
A session limit is the maximum amount you are willing to lose in a single playing session. Set this before you start playing - not while you are in the middle of a losing streak when emotions can cloud your judgement.
Set a loss limit before you start
Decide the maximum you will lose in this session. When you reach it, stop - no exceptions.
Divide your bankroll into sessions
If your monthly gambling budget is R1,000, split it into 4-5 sessions of R200-R250 each.
Never chase losses
Increasing your bets to recover losses is the fastest way to lose your entire bankroll. Accept the loss and stop.
4Win goals
A win goal is a target profit at which you stop playing and walk away. Many players make the mistake of continuing to play after a big win, only to give it all back. Setting a win goal prevents this.
A common win goal is 50-100% of your session bankroll. If you start with R500 and reach R750-R1,000, stop and withdraw. You have had a successful session.
Win goal examples:
R500 session bankroll - stop at R750 (50% profit) or R1,000 (100% profit)
R200 session bankroll - stop at R300 (50% profit) or R400 (100% profit)
5Stop-loss limits
A stop-loss limit is the point at which you stop playing regardless of how the session is going. It is similar to a session limit but can also apply to a winning session - if you have won R300 and then lose back to R100 profit, your stop-loss triggers and you stop.
A common stop-loss rule for winning sessions: if your balance drops by 50% from its peak during the session, stop. This locks in at least some profit and prevents a winning session from turning into a loss.
6Choosing the right stakes
Your bet size must match your bankroll. Playing R50 spins with a R500 bankroll means you only have 10 spins before you are out - that is not a session, it is a lottery ticket.
R2-R5 per spin (1-2.5%)
Low-volatility slots like Starburst
R5-R25 per spin (1-5%)
Low to medium volatility slots
R10-R50 per spin (1-5%)
Medium volatility slots
R20-R100 per spin (1-5%)
Any volatility level
7Separating gambling money from living expenses
The most important rule of all: never gamble with money you cannot afford to lose. Your gambling bankroll should be entirely separate from money needed for rent, food, bills and other essentials.
8Using casino responsible gambling tools
All licensed South African online casinos are required to offer responsible gambling tools. Use them - they are there to help you stay in control.
Deposit limits
Set a daily, weekly or monthly deposit limit. The casino cannot process deposits above this amount.
Session time reminders
Set alerts to remind you how long you have been playing. Useful for keeping track of time.
Loss limits
Set a maximum loss per day, week or month. The casino will stop you from playing once you reach it.
Self-exclusion
Temporarily or permanently block yourself from the casino. Use this if you feel your gambling is becoming a problem.
Find casinos with strong responsible gambling tools in our casino reviews. Try low-stakes slots like Starburst or Fruit Shop to practise bankroll management.