Responsible Gaming

Casino and betting games are meant for entertainment. Poorly managed sessions, however, can lead to financial loss, loss of control and addiction. On this page we share the principles of responsible gaming, the warning signs of addiction and where to find help.

The five rules of responsible gaming

First, never play with an amount you cannot afford to lose. Second, set your budget before the session begins and do not exceed the limit. Third, do not try to recover losses; “chasing” is the shortest road to addiction. Fourth, decide the length of your session in advance and stop when the time is up. Fifth, define a win limit as well; when you reach your target, withdraw at least half of your balance and leave the session.

Warning signs of addiction

If one or more of the following signs applies to you, it is important to seek independent expert support: the time you devote to playing grows week by week; you feel restless or tense when you cannot play; you are building up debt because of your gaming budget; your work, family or social life is being harmed by gaming; or you have begun to push your payment methods (credit-card limits) to their limits.

Tools for keeping control

The account settings of licensed casino sites usually include the following tools: daily/weekly/monthly deposit limit, loss limit, session-time limit, self-exclusion and temporary account suspension. Making active use of these tools is the most effective way to maintain financial control.

Where to find help

GamCare (gamcare.org.uk) runs a free, confidential helpline and live chat available around the clock, offering professional support on gambling addiction. BeGambleAware (begambleaware.org) provides addiction self-assessment tests, guides and a free national helpline. If you want to block yourself from licensed gambling sites, GamStop (gamstop.co.uk) lets you set up a self-exclusion that applies across operators.

International resources

Gamblers Anonymous (gamblersanonymous.org) publishes meeting information worldwide and runs peer-support groups for people recovering from a gambling addiction. BeGambleAware.org includes addiction self-assessment tests and guides that are available internationally.

For family and loved ones

If you suspect that someone close to you has a gambling addiction, take a compassionate, observational approach rather than direct accusation. Be aware that the person concerned goes through a stage of denial. Gam-Anon (gam-anon.org) organises support groups for the loved ones of people with an addiction.

A final note on strict control

Set your gaming budget aside only after the other priorities in your life — rent, bills, food, transport — have been covered. When there is no money left to spend, leave the session; “just one more win” is the most dangerous thought of all. If gaming stops being enjoyable, if you are losing control, or if you cannot bear the loss emotionally — stop and seek professional support.