Responsible Gaming

Entertainment first

Treat deposits as entertainment spend, not investments. Plan sessions the way you would plan movie tickets or dining out. If a loss feels unbearable, the stake was too high.

Wins are bonuses, not income. Chasing a prior win level is a common trigger for loss chasing.

Boundaries you control

Set deposit, time, and loss caps before you start playing. Build breaks into your routine and do not extend them when you feel tilted or tired.

Keep proof of your limits visible: save screenshots of your cap settings and statements to stay accountable.

Financial warning signs

• Spending more than intended on games or bonuses and delaying essentials like rent, utilities, or loan payments
• Borrowing, using high-interest credit, or selling personal items to continue gaming
• Regularly topping up after reaching a budget limit instead of stopping
• Hiding statements, deleting SMS alerts, or lying about deposits and withdrawals
• Thinking constantly about how to fund the next session or bonus unlock

Behavioral warning signs

• Playing longer than planned, extending sessions late at night, or skipping work and social commitments
• Chasing losses by raising stakes or switching games to recover money
• Difficulty stopping even after setting alarms or limits
• Using gaming as the main way to handle stress, anger, or boredom
• Multiple accounts or devices to circumvent time-outs or limits, which also breaks platform rules

Emotional and social warning signs

• Irritability or restlessness when unable to play or when a session ends
• Mood swings linked to wins and losses, affecting relationships at home or work
• Isolation from friends and hobbies, replacing downtime entirely with gaming
• Guilt, shame, or secrecy about time and money spent
• Neglecting sleep, meals, or exercise because sessions run long

Tolerance and escalation

• Increasing stakes or session length to feel the same excitement
• Moving from low-risk to high-volatility games after losses
• Playing through fatigue and ignoring prior boundaries
• Needing frequent bonuses or reloads to sustain play

Budget and time workbook

• Monthly entertainment budget for gaming: set a fixed amount and divide by four weekly buckets.
• Maximum single-session budget and time: define both. Example: Rs 1,000 and 60 minutes.
• Number of sessions per week: cap it and schedule rest days with zero gaming.
• Hard stop rule: identify the precise trigger that ends the session (budget reached, time alarm, or rising frustration).
• Payment hygiene: use one payment method with clear statements rather than multiple cards or wallets.

Reality checks and accountability

• Enable reality checks every 30 minutes and do not dismiss them without a pause.
• Send your weekly activity summary to a trusted friend or keep it in a journal.
• List three replacement activities for days you feel the urge to chase losses (walk, call a friend, read, or exercise).
• Define a relapse response: cooling-off immediately for one week if you exceed budget or time twice in a week.
• Set calendar reminders to review limits on the first of each month.

Myth versus fact

• Myth: Increasing stakes after a loss improves odds. Fact: game outcomes remain random; higher stakes only raise risk.
• Myth: Taking a short break guarantees the next session will be luckier. Fact: outcomes are independent; breaks help control emotions, not odds.
• Myth: Using multiple accounts spreads risk. Fact: it removes protections, violates terms, and escalates harm.
• Myth: Bonuses are free money. Fact: every bonus has conditions; use them only when they fit your budget.

Relapse prevention script

• Notice the urge: write down the trigger (boredom, stress, argument).
• Pause for ten minutes: step away from screens, drink water, breathe slowly.
• Apply the plan: activate cooling-off or self-exclusion based on your rule.
• Contact support or a helpline and state the trigger. Ask for accountability and confirm limits are locked.
• Schedule a non-gaming task immediately after the call to shift focus.

Before you play

• Set a budget you can afford to lose without touching essentials like rent, loans, groceries, or savings.
• Set a time limit and add an alarm on your phone. Decide the stop time in advance.
• Check your mood. Avoid play when stressed, tired, or under the influence of alcohol or substances.
• Plan another activity for after the session so you have a natural endpoint.
• Read bonus terms carefully. Avoid offers that push you to spend more than your planned budget.

While playing

• Never chase losses. If you reach your budget, stop for the day.
• Take a break every 30-60 minutes. Stand, stretch, drink water, and reassess.
• Track stakes and time with reality checks and activity history.
• Avoid borrowing or using credit to continue playing.
• If you feel urgency or frustration, end the session and set a cooling-off period.

After playing

• Review how much you spent and how long you played using activity statements.
• Accept outcomes. Losses are the price of entertainment, not a debt to repay through more play.
• Record your next budget and time plan so the decision is made in advance.
• Talk with a friend or family member about your session. Transparency reduces risk.
• Schedule non-gaming activities to keep balance in your routine.

Indian support organizations

• National Problem Gambling Helpline (India): 1800-000-0000 (example placeholder) | help@gamblingaddiction.in | gamblingaddiction.in
• Gamblers Anonymous India: meetings in major cities | gamblersanonymous.org.in
• Vandrevala Foundation: 1860-266-2345 (24/7)
• NIMHANS Helpline: 080-4611-0007
• Fortis Stress Helpline: 1800-267-7299

International resources

• Gamblers Anonymous: gamblersanonymous.org
• National Council on Problem Gambling (US): 1-800-522-4700
• GamCare (UK): 0808-802-0133 | gamcare.org.uk
• Gambling Therapy (Global): gamblingtherapy.org
• BeGambleAware (UK): begambleaware.org

What to expect when you seek help

• Confidential assessment to understand severity and triggers.
• Personalized plan that may include counseling, group sessions, or digital programs.
• Relapse prevention strategies and accountability routines.
• Optional family involvement to rebuild trust and support structures.
• Financial counseling to prioritize essentials and build a repayment schedule if debt exists.
• Referrals to medical professionals if co-occurring anxiety, depression, or substance use is present.

Self-assessment questions

• Do you spend more time or money than you planned despite setting limits?
• Have you tried to stop and felt restless or irritable?
• Do you chase losses or return quickly after a big loss to recover?
• Has gaming affected relationships, work, or studies?
• Have friends or family expressed concern about your play?
• Do you use gaming to escape feelings you would rather address directly?

Types of support programs

• Cognitive behavioral therapy to reframe thoughts that drive harmful play.
• Group therapy and peer-led meetings that reduce isolation and provide accountability.
• Digital programs with daily check-ins, journaling, and progress tracking.
• Financial planning sessions to stabilize budgets and negotiate debts where needed.
• Dual-diagnosis treatment if gambling occurs alongside substance use or mood disorders.