Responsible gaming
Last updated: 9 August 2026
Gambling should be entertainment, never a way to make money or solve financial problems. The mathematical edge always sits with the operator: over the long run, the expected result for a player is negative. Starting from that fact is the best protection there is.
Core principles
- Only play with money you can afford to lose. Never with money set aside for bills, savings, or money you have borrowed.
- Set a limit before you start. Both time and money — and stick to it even when you are ahead.
- Never chase losses. Increasing stakes to win back what is gone is the most expensive and most common mistake there is.
- Do not play under the influence of alcohol or while stressed, low or angry.
- Take frequent breaks. Long sessions erode judgement measurably.
- Understand what you are playing. Knowing the RTP and volatility builds realistic expectations.
Warning signs
If several of these describe you, it is worth stopping and seeking support:
- You play for longer, or spend more, than you planned.
- You think about gambling constantly, including at work or while studying.
- You lie to family or friends about how much you play or lose.
- You borrow money or sell possessions to keep playing.
- You try to recover losses with progressively larger bets.
- You neglect work, study or family obligations.
- You feel anxious or irritable when you cannot play.
- Gambling has stopped being fun and has become a compulsion.
Self-protection tools
Licensed operators offer mechanisms you can switch on in your account settings:
| Tool | What it does |
|---|---|
| Deposit limit | Sets a daily, weekly or monthly ceiling that cannot be exceeded |
| Bet limit | Restricts the maximum you can stake within a period |
| Loss limit | Blocks play once a loss amount you define is reached |
| Session limit | Closes the session automatically after a set time |
| Time out | Suspends account access for a number of days or weeks |
| Self-exclusion | Closes access for an extended period or permanently |
Limit increases usually take effect with a delay of 24 to 72 hours, precisely to prevent impulsive decisions. Reductions apply immediately.
Protecting minors
Gambling is strictly prohibited for anyone under 18. If you share a device with children, consider parental control software such as Net Nanny, Qustodio or Kaspersky Safe Kids, and never save login credentials in the browser.
Where to get help
Gambling addiction is a recognised and treatable condition. Asking for help is not a failure — it is the step that works.
- GamCare and GambleAware — information, self-assessment tools and online support resources.
- Gamblers Anonymous — support groups meeting in person and online worldwide.
- Gordon Moody — residential treatment programmes for severe gambling addiction.
- BeGambleAware helpline — free, confidential advice.
- Your doctor — ask for a referral to psychological or psychiatric support; gambling disorder falls within mental health care.
Talking to someone you trust — a partner, a relative, a friend — and asking them to hold temporary control of your money is a simple and surprisingly effective measure while treatment begins.
Our commitment
This site publishes information about gambling operators and therefore carries a specific responsibility: we do not promise winnings, we do not present gambling as a source of income, we do not target content at minors, and we attach the appropriate warning to every review.
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