Responsible Gambling

Make a pre-play self-check

Do not begin automatically because you are bored, upset or responding to an advertisement. Take a short pause and answer these questions honestly:

• Am I choosing entertainment, or trying to solve a money problem?
• Can I afford to lose the full amount I plan to use?
• Have I already played or deposited more than I intended today?
• Am I calm enough to accept either outcome?
• Do I know when I will stop and what I will do afterwards?
• Would I be comfortable telling someone I trust about this decision?

If the answer to the money or emotional questions is uncertain, postponing play is the safer choice. A craving to act immediately is a reason to pause, not a reason to increase the stake.

Set money limits before you start

Players should treat gambling spending as a non-essential entertainment expense, never as income, savings or a way to repay debt. Make a plan based on money left after rent, food, utilities, education, medical needs, loan payments and other essentials.

Useful safeguards include:

• Set a maximum deposit amount for a day, week or month.
• Decide the maximum total loss before the first bet.
• Use only a separate entertainment budget, not borrowed money or credit needed for essentials.
• Keep a written record of deposits, stakes, withdrawals and losses.
• Avoid increasing the budget after a loss or during a winning run.
• Withdraw money you need for ordinary expenses rather than leaving it available to play.
• Do not lend money to fund another person’s gambling.

A limit works only when it is respected. If the operator offers deposit, spending or loss-limit settings, apply them before play and confirm when they take effect. If a needed control is unavailable, stop access and move funds away from the account.

Set a time limit as well

Long sessions can make decisions less careful. Before starting, choose a finish time and an alarm separate from the device used for play.

Try practical boundaries such as:

• A fixed session length with no extensions.
• A break away from the screen before deciding whether to continue.
• No gambling late at night, during work or study, or when tired.
• No play while drinking alcohol or using anything that affects judgement.
• Keeping gambling devices out of the bedroom or other places where sessions can continue unnoticed.

A game, promotion or countdown may encourage a longer session. You can leave without completing a wagering requirement or using every bonus; time already spent is not a reason to continue.

Do not chase losses

Players cannot guarantee the recovery of a loss by placing a larger or more frequent bet. The next result is not more likely because earlier results went against you. Trying to “get back to even” often turns planned entertainment into an uncontrolled session.

Players who think, “One more bet will fix this,” should stop. Record the loss, close the session and protect money needed for essentials. Do not borrow, sell belongings, use another person’s payment method or hide transactions to continue.

A winning result can also create pressure. Players should not treat a win as proof of a reliable strategy or a reason to raise stakes. If you receive more money than expected, consider withdrawing it and ending the session rather than treating it as free money.

Notice emotional play and warning signs

Do not gamble to escape anger, loneliness, stress, sadness or financial worry. Gambling may briefly distract you, but it does not resolve the underlying situation and can add financial pressure.

Pay attention if you:

• Think about gambling during work, family time or sleep.
• Keep playing beyond a planned end time.
• Increase stakes to feel the same excitement or to recover losses.
• Hide deposits, losses or sessions from family or friends.
• Miss bills, meals, work, study or appointments because of gambling.
• Use money meant for essentials, savings or debt repayments.
• Return immediately after a loss or unexpected win.
• Break a limit and then make another deposit.
• Depend on bonuses or wagering offers to justify continuing.

One sign deserves attention; several signs together call for prompt action. These warning signs are not a medical diagnosis, but they are a reason to reduce access and seek qualified support when gambling is becoming difficult to control.

Treat bonuses and wagering requirements cautiously

A bonus is not cash that can be assumed to be yours. It may involve eligibility conditions, expiry dates, minimum deposits, restricted games, maximum stake rules, withdrawal conditions or wagering requirements. Read the full terms before accepting it.

A requirement to wager can extend a session beyond your original plan. Do not let a promotion change your spending or time limit. If the offer makes you feel compelled to deposit, raise stakes or continue after you wanted to stop, decline it or end the session. Never risk essential money to unlock promotional funds.

Use cooling-off, time-out and exclusion options

Different third-party operators may use different terms:

• Cooling-off usually means taking a short break before returning.
• Time-out usually means restricting access for a chosen period.
• Self-exclusion usually means asking for access to be blocked for a longer, defined period.
• Account closure means closing the account, subject to the operator’s process and any unresolved balance or verification matters.

These options are not identical, and availability varies. Check the operator’s responsible-gambling or account settings area, ask what happens to pending withdrawals and linked accounts, and save confirmation of any request.

If you want to stop but keep changing your mind, choose the strongest available restriction. Do not open another account to bypass it; ask whether promotional communications can also be stopped.

Add payment and device barriers

Make continued access inconvenient. Depending on your circumstances, you can:

• Remove saved cards and payment details from gambling accounts and devices.
• Ask your bank or payment provider whether gambling-payment blocks or transaction controls are available.
• Use device-level screen-time controls, website or app blocking and password protection.
• Ask a trusted person to hold control of blocking passwords or financial access, with your clear consent.

These controls may not cover every service or payment method, so check their scope rather than assuming complete protection.

Protect minors and other vulnerable people

Gambling services and payment accounts should not be accessible to minors. Keep devices, passwords, one-time codes and payment details private. Do not allow a child to use your account, place a bet for someone under the applicable legal age or describe gambling as a way to earn money.

If control has slipped

Act on facts, not promises to “be more careful next time.” Stop deposits and play for the day, tell one trusted person what happened, make essential payments first, and seek financial advice early if bills are affected.

Then contact a qualified local support service, mental-health professional, financial counsellor or community service familiar with gambling-related harm. Verify current local contact details independently. If you feel unsafe or in immediate danger, contact local emergency services now.

Website-content questions can be sent to [email protected]; this mailbox is not a crisis, medical, financial or operator-support service.

What to do if you are playing now

If you are playing now and feel unable to stop, complete these steps in order:

1. End the current game or session without placing another bet.
2. Do not make another deposit, even to meet a bonus or recover a loss.
3. Log out, remove saved payment details and move away from the device.
4. Move essential funds to a protected account or ask a trusted person to help secure them.
5. Apply the strongest cooling-off, time-out, self-exclusion or closure option available through the operator.
6. Tell one trusted person what has happened and contact qualified local support.

Take the next safe step

Responsible gambling starts before the next bet: decide the amount, set the time and protect essential money. If you have crossed a limit, stop now, secure payments, involve a trusted person and contact qualified local support.