Play with a plan
- Set a budget before you start — only money you can afford to lose, never money for rent, food or school fees.
- Set a time limit and stop when it runs out, whether you are winning or losing.
- Never chase losses. Trying to win back what you lost is the fastest way to lose more.
- Do not borrow to gamble and do not play when you are upset, tired or have been drinking.
- Treat any win as luck, not as income. Every casino game has a built-in house edge.
Warning signs
Gambling may be becoming a problem if you:
- spend more money or time than you planned, again and again;
- hide your gambling from family or friends, or lie about it;
- feel anxious or irritable when you are not playing;
- borrow money, sell things or skip bills to keep playing;
- gamble to escape problems or to feel better.
If any of this sounds familiar, take a break now and talk to someone you trust.
Tools that help
Most online casinos let you set deposit limits, take a time-out or exclude yourself for months or permanently. Ask the casino’s support team to switch these on — they are required to respect the request. You can also block gambling sites on your phone with parental-control or website-blocking apps.
Free, confidential help
- Gambling Therapy — free online support and live chat for people anywhere in the world, in many languages.
- Gamblers Anonymous — peer support groups and online meetings.
- Your doctor or local health centre — gambling problems can be treated like any other health issue.
18+ only
Online gambling is for adults only. If children use your phone or computer, keep casino apps and saved logins out of their reach and use parental controls.