Responsible gambling: control you set before the session
Gambling is entertainment with a price, and the price should be set before playing, not after. This page covers the tools casino accounts usually offer and help that is available internationally. It applies to every player, not only to those who already feel a problem.
Tools in the account
- Deposit limit — daily, weekly or monthly. Lowering usually applies at once; raising comes with a delay.
- Loss and wager limits — where available, they cap what you can lose or stake in a period.
- Session reminder — a notification after a set time.
- Break or self-exclusion — the account is locked for a period at your request.
Names and availability vary; look in account settings or the responsible-gambling section, or ask support.
The cashier as a checkpoint
If deposits happen more often than you planned, or withdrawals get cancelled so you can keep playing, those are signals. Your banking app can add spending limits and notifications for every payment — they work independently of the casino, and some banks let you block gambling payments altogether.
Warning signs
- Playing to win back losses.
- Depositing money meant for other things.
- Hiding gambling from people close to you.
- Cancelling withdrawals to keep playing.
- Feeling restless when not playing.
Where to get help
Gambling Therapy offers free, confidential support online in many languages, wherever you are. Gamblers Anonymous runs peer-support meetings in many countries. Many countries also have a national help line and a national self-exclusion register — the website of your country's gambling regulator usually lists them. More on breaks: Self-exclusion.
For family and friends
If you are worried about someone close, support services are there for you too. Talking to a specialist helps you understand how to raise the subject without conflict and what steps to take. You do not need to wait until the person admits a problem.
Age
Gambling is for adults aged 18 and over (or the higher legal age where you live). If children use your computer or phone, protect the account with a password and do not store login details in the browser.