Play for entertainment, not escape. Know your limits – Gambling should be fun. The moment it stops being entertainment and becomes a source of stress, financial problems, or emotional distress, something has gone wrong. This page provides information, tools, and resources to help you stay in control. If you or someone you know is struggling with gambling, help is available.
Understanding Problem Gambling
Problem gambling is not about how much you gamble or how often. It is about the impact gambling has on your life. A person betting $20 a week can have a gambling problem if that $20 was meant for groceries. Someone betting $1,000 weekly might have no problem at all if they can genuinely afford it and walk away without issue.
The key question is control. Can you stop when you want to? Can you stick to limits you set? Does gambling cause problems in other areas of your life?
Warning Signs to Watch For
Tools Available at Licensed Casinos
Reputable mobile casinos provide tools to help you stay in control. These features are required by gambling regulators and should be accessible in your account settings.
| Tool | Duration | Reversible? | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deposit Limit | Daily/Weekly/Monthly | Yes (with cooling period) | Budget management |
| Loss Limit | Daily/Weekly/Monthly | Yes (with cooling period) | Preventing big losses |
| Time Limit | Per session | Yes | Controlling play duration |
| Cooling-Off | 24h to 6 weeks | No (until period ends) | Taking a break |
| Self-Exclusion | 6 months to permanent | No (until period ends) | Serious intervention |
Self-Exclusion Programs
Self-exclusion is a serious step for people who need to stop gambling entirely. Once activated, you cannot access your account for the chosen period. The casino is legally obligated to enforce this.
National self-exclusion schemes block you from multiple operators simultaneously. Individual casino self-exclusion only affects that specific site.
| Program | Region | Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| GamStop | United Kingdom | All UKGC-licensed operators |
| OASIS | Germany | All German-licensed operators |
| Spelpaus | Sweden | All Swedish-licensed operators |
| ROFUS | Denmark | All Danish-licensed operators |
| Cruks | Netherlands | All Dutch-licensed operators |
Help and Support Resources
If you or someone you know is struggling with gambling, these organizations provide free, confidential support. Reaching out is a sign of strength, not weakness.