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Responsible gambling
Betting and casino games are entertainment with a price tag. These rules keep the price one you can afford.
Five rules that work
- Decide on a budget first. Pick a monthly amount you could lose entirely without it affecting bills, rent or savings. That number is your limit, not your target.
- Set the limit in your account on day one. Every serious operator offers deposit limits. Set yours before the first deposit, when you are thinking clearly, not after a losing night.
- Never chase losses. A loss does not make the next bet more likely to win. If you catch yourself betting to "get it back", stop for the day.
- Keep gambling separate from stress. Do not bet when you are upset, tired, drunk or trying to solve a money problem. Gambling has never solved a money problem.
- Take breaks and use the tools. Reality checks, time-outs and self-exclusion exist for a reason. Using them is a sign of control, not weakness.
Warning signs
- Spending more time or money than you planned, again and again.
- Hiding your betting from people close to you.
- Borrowing money to gamble or gambling to pay debts.
- Feeling restless or irritable when you cannot bet.
- Thinking about gambling most of the time.
If one or more of these sounds familiar, talk to someone. The services below are free and confidential.
Free, confidential help
| Worldwide | Gambling Therapy – online support and live chat in many languages |
|---|---|
| United Kingdom | BeGambleAware · GamCare National Gambling Helpline 0808 8020 133 (24/7) · GAMSTOP self-exclusion |
| Ireland | GamblingCare.ie – 1800 936 725 |
| Germany / Austria / Switzerland | Check dein Spiel (BZgA, 0800 1 37 27 00) · Spielen mit Verantwortung · SOS Spielsucht |
| Canada / USA | ConnexOntario 1-866-531-2600 · NCPG 1-800-GAMBLER |
| Australia / New Zealand | Gambling Help Online 1800 858 858 · Gambling Helpline NZ 0800 654 655 |
| Africa | South African Responsible Gambling Foundation 0800 006 008 · Gambling Therapy (above) for other countries |
Protecting minors
Online gambling is for adults only: 18+ in most countries, older in some. Operators verify age and identity before paying out, and so should every parent's device settings. Free filtering software such as Gamban, Net Nanny or the built-in parental controls of iOS and Android block gambling sites on shared devices.