Responsible gambling: control before the first round
Live tables and in-play betting have a rhythm that holds your attention: one round after another, a price that moves with every attack. That is exactly why control has to be set up beforehand, not during play.
Account tools
| Tool | What it does | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
| Deposit limit | Caps deposits per day, week or month | From day one |
| Loss limit | Stops play after a set net loss | If you play live tables often |
| Time limit | Logs you out or warns you after a set time | For long evening sessions |
| Time-out | Locks the account for days or weeks | For a short pause |
| Self-exclusion | Locks the account long-term | When gambling is no longer under control |
Lowering a limit usually applies at once; raising it comes after a waiting period. The mechanism is designed to protect you from decisions taken in the heat of the moment.
Warning signs
- You play to win back losses.
- You raise stakes to feel the same excitement.
- You hide from family how much you play or lose.
- You borrow money or use money meant for other expenses.
- You think about gambling when you are not playing.
If you recognise two or more, it is time to talk to someone.
Free international help
Gambling Therapy offers free online support for people affected by gambling, in many languages, through chat, forums and groups. Gamblers Anonymous is a mutual-help fellowship with a meeting finder. Many countries also run their own national helplines; your local health services can point you to them.
Limits for betting
If you bet, add a stake rule to your deposit limits: a fixed share of the bankroll per slip and a maximum number of slips per day. In-play betting is where impulsive decisions are most likely.
Self-exclusion
Besides self-exclusion with a single operator, some countries run national self-exclusion registers. Details under self-exclusion.
The budget as a tool
The simplest tool is not in the account but on paper: a monthly amount you can lose without affecting anything important, split into weeks. The method is described on the payments and live casino pages.
For people close to a player
If you are worried about someone, support services can advise you too. You do not have to wait for the person to ask for help.