“What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas,” goes the famous quote describing the misadventures of people. Yet, it is well-known that in some states gambling is perfectly legal. There are establishments that operate gambling activities, and they pay taxes for it. Depending on which part of the country you find yourself in, it can be something of an eyesore, or something like a bright lamp that attracts the proverbial moth in you.

There’s little wonder why people like to gamble. It’s a lot like traveling – it’s an opportunity to escape, get away, and relax like few other activities will allow you to do, with the chance to profit and make money. There’s also the thrill of risking something dear and endangering it, only to discover how lucky you are to have it, lose it, and win it back in the end.

Gambling is also where another famous saying could haven take root: “A fool and his money are soon parted.” There are few stories as sad as those who have gone in debt because of a reckless night at the casino. Many have been blindsided by a bad hand at poker, or an unlucky break at the roulette.

While this blog isn’t equipped to give tips on how to win every hand or how to maximize the gains on every game one plays, it can teach you something else: protecting your finances and still having a lot of fun. After all, if you can still come away with minimized losses (even after losing), while having an enjoyable excursion, then you’d be able to say you were a winner every single time.

Here are the quick and easy tips on keeping your cash at the casino:

1.) Don’t be a fool. Is this really legal where you are? If it’s a racetrack bet or a card game, or a charitable lottery, check it out first. Different states have different regulations. The last thing you need is to get in trouble with the law.

2.) Set a very, VERY strict limit. Think you can get good on $50? $30? $10? Budget it like you would a vacation to the Bahamas, except you’re not in the beach. Be prepared to spend that budget, and not see a cent back. If you know you can really afford to lose that money, that’ll be how much you’ll spend and no more

3.) Keep a mental “Plus/Minus” scorecard of how you’re doing. This helps you keep track of how you’re doing. Quit while you’re winning, and you’ll be fine. If you’re losing, set a threshold on how much you can lose, then quit while you still can.

4.) Be picky with who you trust. Don’t tell anyone how much you have. Watch out for shady characters. Don’t bet things have your name on them. Don’t recklessly give out your personal data. Gambling can attract some unsavory characters that you’d rather keep yourself at arm’s length to. Treat it like being in a foreign land. Be careful.

5.) Deposit quick! Cash on hand can tempt you to keep going when you should stop. Put away the cash in a prepaid card account to help keep your money safe.