Responsible Gambling: Limits, Warning Signs and Where to Get Help

Online casino games are built so that the casino keeps a share of all money staked over time. Treat play as entertainment you pay for, never as a way to earn, repay debts or solve money problems. You must be 18 or older, or older still where the law in your country sets a higher age; some casinos we review require 21+ for casino games.

Set your limits before the first deposit

Decide two numbers in advance: how much you can afford to lose in a month and how much time you want to spend. Then enter them in the casino’s own tools, which usually include deposit limits (daily, weekly, monthly), loss and wager limits, session reminders and a time-out. Lowering a limit normally takes effect at once, while raising it is delayed, often by 24 hours or more, which gives you time to think.

• Deposit only money you have already set aside for entertainment.
• Never chase losses by raising your stakes.
• Do not play when you are upset, drunk or tired.
• Avoid borrowing money or using credit to gamble.
• Keep track of what you have spent, including bonuses you had to wager.

Warning signs

Take a break and talk to someone if you notice that you spend more than you planned, hide your gambling from people close to you, feel restless when you try to stop, gamble to escape problems, or borrow and sell things to keep playing. Turning gambling into a “career” or treating it like an investment strategy is also a common step before losses grow.

Self-exclusion and blocking tools

Every licensed casino we review offers self-exclusion, which closes your account for a period you choose. At an internationally licensed casino it usually covers that one site only, so if you want a wider break, also install blocking software such as GamBlock or the free BetBlocker, and check whether your bank lets you switch off gambling transactions on your card.

Free help, wherever you live

Peer-support meetings, in person in dozens of countries and online, are free through Gamblers Anonymous. Gambling Therapy offers free online support, live chat and forums in several languages. Many countries also run a national helpline; search for “gambling helpline” with your country’s name, or ask your doctor.

Help for family and friends

If someone close to you gambles too much, you can get support too: Gambling Therapy has resources for affected others, and Gam-Anon groups meet alongside Gamblers Anonymous. Our rating method explains how we choose which casinos to cover, the bonus maths guide shows why playthrough rules cost money, and the complaints page explains what to do if a casino ignores a self-exclusion request.