How Much Should You Budget Each Month for Gambling?
Setting a budget for your gambling is universally suggested. But how much should we budget each week or month?
If you are anything like me, you absolutely hate making budgets. Am I right?
It ranks right up there with filing taxes, car repairs, and watching as someone painfully reads every word written on a slideshow.
And yet, it’s extremely important.
Enter the Simple Responsible Gambling Calculator
In designing this calculator, I wanted it to be as easy to use as entering a single number, yet insightful with suggestions from experts on how we can best allocate our money.
Give it a try and mess around with the various inputs to gain a better insight on how to best spend your money.

What are the suggested percentages based on?
Entertainment Budget: Most budgeting advice suggests using 5-10% of take-home pay for entertainment.
Gambling Budget: Gambling is an entertainment activity. While everyone’s entertainment spending will vary, the suggested max of 30% of your total entertainment budget seems appropriate to ensure you can afford other leisure and keep your gambling at a healthy level.
What is included in an entertainment budget?
Suggestions often include dining out, movies, live events/shows/games, and recreational activities.
Here’s What to Include in an Entertainment Budget (link) – Take Charge America Nonprofit Financial Education
Isn’t 10% too low?
It all depends on what is included in your entertainment budget.
“Some advisers take a broader approach that gives you a set percentage of your income, such as 20 percent or 30 percent, to spend on nonessential expenses, which include gifts, vacations, clothing, eating out and entertainment.” – Sapling.com
Adjust the calculator to best align with your budgeting approach.
Version #1:
Quick Weekly Gambling Budget Calculator
Version #2
Detailed Monthly Gambling Budget Calculator
The calculator is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Metrics used are based on commonly suggested budgeting advice.