Responsible Gaming

Responsible gaming means you stay in control of your time and money while you play. Simple habits can reduce risk and help you keep gambling as a leisure activity.

Practical strategies you can use

• Decide a budget before you start
  Choose an amount you can afford to lose without affecting rent, bills, education, or family needs. Deposit only that amount.
• Use deposit and loss limits
  Most trusted casinos allow daily, weekly, or monthly limits. Set these limits in your account so you cannot spend more than planned.
• Set a time schedule for play
  Fix a start and end time for each session. Use phone alarms or calendar reminders. Stop when the time is over, even if you feel like continuing.
• Separate gambling money from regular money
  Keep gambling funds in a separate account or e‑wallet. Do not use money saved for school fees, loans, or household expenses.
• Treat gambling as entertainment, not income
  Wins are random. There is no strategy that guarantees profit. View your stake as the price of entertainment, similar to a movie ticket.
• Avoid gambling when upset or stressed
  Do not play when you feel angry, lonely, anxious, or depressed. Strong emotions can lead to impulsive decisions and higher losses.
• Never chase losses
  If you lose, accept it as part of the game. Do not increase your bets or continue playing only to try to win back money.
• Limit use of bonuses
  Read terms and wagering requirements. Use bonuses only if you understand the rules and they fit your budget and time limits.
• Protect your devices and accounts
  Use strong passwords and log out on shared devices. Do not allow anyone under 18 to access your casino accounts.
• Take regular breaks
  Stand up, drink water, and step away from the screen. Short breaks help you think more clearly and track your spending.

Problems can develop slowly, and it can be difficult to notice when gambling starts causing harm. Paying attention to certain signs can help you act early.

Common warning signs

• Spending more money than planned
  Regularly going over your limit or using savings, loans, or credit for gambling.
• Chasing losses
  Increasing bet sizes or playing longer only to try to recover previous losses.
• Hiding or lying about gambling
  Deleting messages or browser history, or giving false reasons for missing money or time.
• Gambling affects work or studies
  Missing deadlines, skipping classes, or seeing a drop in performance because of late‑night sessions or constant thinking about gambling.
• Using gambling to escape feelings
  Playing mainly to avoid stress, sadness, family issues, or financial worries.
• Restlessness when trying to stop
  Feeling irritable, anxious, or uncomfortable when you reduce or pause gambling.
• Neglecting family and social life
  Spending less time on relationships, hobbies, or responsibilities because gambling takes priority.
• Borrowing money frequently
  Asking friends, family, or lenders for funds and not being honest about the reason.
• Repeated unsuccessful attempts to cut down
  Promising yourself you will play less, but returning to the same or higher level of gambling.

If you recognise several of these signs in your own life, professional support can make a difference. Early action can prevent further financial and emotional harm.

Online casino games and real‑money slots are intended only for adults who have reached the legal age of majority in their state or union territory. This usually means 18 years or older, but local laws may differ, so checking the rules that apply to your area is important.

Casinos are required to verify age through documents such as PAN card, Aadhaar, voter ID, or passport. This verification helps prevent minors from depositing or playing real‑money games.

You can support responsible gaming by keeping your login details private and using device locks so that children or teenagers cannot access your accounts.

Self‑exclusion is a voluntary step that allows you to block access to your gambling account for a chosen period. It is a protective tool for players who feel that gambling is no longer under control.

Most reputable online casinos serving India provide self‑exclusion options within the account settings or through customer support. You can usually choose short cooling‑off breaks, longer exclusions for several months, or permanent closure.

During a self‑exclusion period, you cannot deposit, place bets, or reactivate your account. Some operators also stop marketing messages and promotional emails to self‑excluded players.

If you request self‑exclusion, give honest information and select a duration that matches your situation. Do not open new accounts to bypass the block. Using self‑exclusion along with professional counselling, financial advice, or support groups can be more effective than using it alone.

If you find it difficult to set these limits, you can ask casino support to guide you through the responsible gaming tools available on their platform.

Gambling addiction is a health issue that can be treated. You are not alone, and confidential help is available in India through various mental health and addiction services.

Key organisations and support options in India

• National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS) – Bengaluru
  Tertiary care centre offering specialised services for behavioural addictions, including gambling. Provides outpatient and inpatient treatment led by psychiatrists and psychologists.
• All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) – Behavioural Addiction Clinics
  AIIMS campuses such as New Delhi operate addiction treatment services that may include assessment and management of gambling‑related problems.
• Central Institute of Psychiatry (CIP), Ranchi
  Government institute providing assessment, counselling, and rehabilitation for various addictions and mental health conditions.
• State government de‑addiction centres
  Many states run de‑addiction and mental health centres through public hospitals or district programmes. You can ask local health services for details.
• Private psychiatrists, psychologists, and counsellors
  Licensed professionals across India provide therapy for gambling addiction, financial stress, depression, and anxiety.
• Tele‑mental health and helplines
  National and state mental health helplines, as well as hospital‑based phone and online counselling services, can offer initial guidance and referrals.

You can also speak to a trusted family member or friend and involve them in your recovery plan. Combining professional support, financial planning, and responsible gaming tools can help you regain control over gambling and protect your long‑term wellbeing.