Responsible Gambling

Gambling should be entertainment — not a way to make money. Responsible gambling means staying in control of your time and spending, understanding the risks, and knowing when to take a break.

If gambling is no longer fun or feels hard to control, support is available.

Quick Self-Check

If you answer “yes” to any of the questions below, consider setting stronger limits or taking a break.

  • Do you spend more time or money than you planned?
  • Do you gamble to escape stress, anxiety, or low mood?
  • Do you feel irritated when you try to stop or cut back?
  • Do you chase losses or increase bets to “win back” money?
  • Have you hidden gambling from friends or family?

Practical Ways to Stay in Control

Set a Budget

Decide your maximum spend before you play. Treat it like the cost of entertainment — never as an investment.

Set Time Limits

Use alarms or session timers. Long sessions can reduce decision quality and increase impulsive spending.

Avoid Chasing Losses

Losses are part of gambling. Increasing bets to recover losses usually increases risk.

Take Breaks

Step away regularly. Short breaks help you reset and avoid playing on autopilot.

Tools Casinos Should Offer

Reputable licensed casinos often provide responsible gambling tools. If a casino does not offer these features, consider it a red flag.

  • Deposit limits: daily/weekly/monthly caps on spending.
  • Loss limits: stop playing after reaching a loss threshold.
  • Session limits: automatic logouts after a set time.
  • Reality checks: reminders of time spent and net results.
  • Time-outs: short breaks (24 hours to several weeks).
  • Self-exclusion: longer restrictions or permanent exclusions.
  • Account history: transparent deposits, withdrawals, and results.

What to Do If You Need Help

If gambling is causing financial stress, relationship issues, or anxiety, getting support early can make a big difference. Consider these steps:

  1. Use a casino’s time-out or self-exclusion tools.
  2. Block gambling sites/apps on your devices.
  3. Talk to someone you trust and ask for support.
  4. Reach out to a professional support service in your country.

Support Resources (by Country)

Below are well-known support resources in several markets. If you are outside these countries, search for a national gambling support service in your location.

Brazil

  • Suporte emocional (24h): CVV — cvv.org.br
  • Dependência e saúde mental: CAPS — gov.br/saude
  • Informação sobre Jogo Responsável: Consoante a nova regulamentação em 2024-2025

Portugal

United Kingdom

Canada

Netherlands

Finland

Sweden

Denmark

Germany

Norway

Switzerland

Ireland

Austria

New Zealand

Australia

Answering yes to spending more, hiding gambling, or chasing losses? Consider taking a break and contacting one of the helplines above.

FAQ

What is responsible gambling?

Responsible gambling means keeping gambling within limits you can afford, understanding the risks, and using tools like deposit limits, time-outs, and self-exclusion to stay in control.

Can I make money gambling long-term?

Most casino games have a built-in house edge, which means the casino has a long-term mathematical advantage. Gambling should be treated as entertainment, not income.

What should I do if I can’t stop?

Use time-outs or self-exclusion tools, ask someone you trust for support, and contact a professional service in your country. Getting help early is often the most effective step.