Responsible gambling

Responsible Gambling

Gambling should always be an enjoyable form of entertainment, never a way to make money or escape personal problems. At iGaming Explorer, we are committed to promoting responsible gambling and ensuring our readers have access to the tools and information they need to stay in control.

Understanding Problem Gambling

Problem gambling can affect anyone, regardless of age, background, or income level. It occurs when gambling begins to negatively impact your finances, relationships, mental health, or daily responsibilities. Recognising the warning signs early is crucial to preventing serious harm.

Signs of Problem Gambling

• Spending more money or time on gambling than you can afford
• Chasing losses by continuing to gamble in an attempt to win back money
• Borrowing money or selling possessions to fund gambling
• Neglecting work, education, or family responsibilities due to gambling
• Feeling restless, irritable, or anxious when not gambling
• Lying to friends or family about how much time or money you spend gambling
• Using gambling as a way to cope with stress, depression, or other emotional difficulties
• Repeated unsuccessful attempts to cut down or stop gambling
• Experiencing relationship problems caused by gambling behaviour
• Feeling a sense of emptiness or loss when not gambling

Self-Assessment Questions

If you are unsure whether your gambling habits are healthy, ask yourself the following questions honestly:

• Do I spend more time or money gambling than I originally intended?
• Have I ever lied about my gambling to people close to me?
• Do I feel the need to gamble with increasing amounts of money to achieve the same excitement?
• Have I tried to stop gambling but found it difficult or impossible?
• Do I gamble to escape problems or relieve feelings of helplessness or anxiety?
• After losing money, do I feel compelled to return and try to win it back?
• Has my gambling caused financial difficulties for me or my household?
• Do I feel guilty or ashamed about my gambling?

If you answered yes to two or more of these questions, it may be time to seek help or reassess your gambling habits.

Tips for Responsible Gambling

Following these guidelines can help you maintain a healthy relationship with gambling:

• Set a budget: Decide how much you can afford to lose before you start, and never exceed that amount.
• Set time limits: Decide in advance how long you will play and stick to it. Use built-in session timers offered by most gambling sites.
• Never chase losses: Accept losses as the cost of entertainment. Walking away is always the right choice when you have reached your limit.
• Do not gamble under the influence: Alcohol and drugs impair judgement and can lead to reckless gambling decisions.
• Take regular breaks: Step away from the screen frequently. Continuous play can cloud your decision-making.
• Balance gambling with other activities: Ensure gambling does not become your primary source of entertainment or social interaction.
• Use responsible gambling tools: Take advantage of deposit limits, loss limits, wagering limits, session reminders, and cooling-off periods offered by licensed operators.
• Never gamble to make money: Treat gambling as entertainment, not an income source. The odds always favour the house.

Where to Get Help

If you or someone you know is struggling with problem gambling, professional help is available. The following organisations offer free, confidential support:

• Gambling Therapy: Free, confidential online support in several languages, including live chat, forums and self-help tools, open to anyone in any country. Visit gamblingtherapy.org.
• Gamblers Anonymous: Peer support through meetings and shared experiences, with groups in many countries. Visit gamblersanonymous.org.
• Your national helpline: Most countries with regulated gambling have a free national helpline. Your gambling regulator's website, or the responsible gambling page of any licensed operator, will name the one that covers you.

Self-Exclusion Options

Self-exclusion is a powerful tool that allows you to block yourself from gambling for a set period. Many countries run a national self-exclusion register that covers every operator licensed there. Registering is usually free, and once you are registered, licensed operators are required by law to stop you opening new accounts or using existing ones for as long as the exclusion runs. Your gambling regulator's website will tell you which scheme applies where you live.

Where there is no national scheme, or to block sites it does not cover, blocking software can stop gambling sites from loading on your devices. BetBlocker is free and run by a non-profit organisation; paid tools such as Gamban work the same way.

Many individual operators also offer their own self-exclusion and account restriction tools, including deposit limits, loss limits, and reality checks. We strongly encourage you to use these features proactively.

Underage Gambling

You must be at least 18 to gamble, and older in some countries, so check the legal minimum age where you live. All licensed operators are required to verify the age and identity of their customers. Parents and guardians should take steps to ensure minors cannot access gambling sites, including using parental control software and keeping login details secure.

Remember: gambling should be fun. If it stops being enjoyable, it is time to stop.