Play Responsibly, Play Safely

Responsible gaming is about staying in control of your habits and your finances. The following strategies can help you maintain a healthy relationship with online gambling.

• Set a budget before you play. Decide how much you can afford to spend and do not exceed that amount under any circumstances.
• Use deposit limits. Most licensed platforms allow you to set daily, weekly, or monthly deposit caps directly from your account settings.
• Track the time you spend gambling. Use session timers or platform tools to monitor how long you play in each session.
• Never chase losses. Accepting a loss is part of responsible play. Attempting to recover lost funds by continuing to bet can escalate financial harm.
• Treat gambling as entertainment. View any money spent as the cost of entertainment, not as an investment or income source.
• Take regular breaks. Step away from the screen at intervals. Short pauses help you reassess your state of mind.
• Avoid gambling under emotional distress. Stress, anxiety, or personal difficulties can impair decision-making and increase risky behaviour.
• Do not borrow money to gamble. Playing with borrowed funds creates financial pressure that amplifies harmful patterns.
• Keep gambling separate from other commitments. Your family, work, and social responsibilities must always take priority.
• Make use of responsible gaming tools. Self-exclusion options, reality checks, and cooling-off periods are available on reputable platforms and are there for your benefit.

Gambling becomes a problem when it starts to interfere with your daily life, finances, or relationships. The following warning signs indicate that professional support may be needed.

• Spending more money or time gambling than originally intended
• Persistent thoughts about gambling throughout the day
• Feeling restless or irritable when attempting to reduce or stop gambling
• Repeated unsuccessful efforts to control or stop gambling activity
• Using gambling as a way to escape personal problems or negative emotions
• Lying to family members or close friends about gambling habits
• Borrowing money or selling possessions to fund gambling
• Neglecting work, studies, or family responsibilities because of gambling
• Continuing to gamble despite being aware of the financial or personal consequences
• Losing interest in hobbies or social activities that were previously enjoyable

Online casino registration and participation in any form of real-money gambling are strictly restricted to individuals who have reached the legal age of majority. In India, this threshold is 18 years of age in most states, though certain states set a higher minimum age. Reputable platforms apply age verification checks during registration to ensure compliance. If you are a parent or guardian, we encourage you to use parental control software to prevent underage access to gambling websites.

Licensed online casinos offer voluntary self-exclusion programmes that allow you to restrict your own access to a platform for a defined period. You can request a temporary cooling-off period, a longer-term exclusion, or in some cases a permanent account closure. Once activated, self-exclusion prevents you from logging in, placing bets, or receiving promotional communications from the platform. This tool is designed for players who feel their gambling is becoming difficult to manage. To activate self-exclusion, navigate to the responsible gaming section of your account settings or contact the platform’s customer support team directly. Your request will be processed promptly and treated with full confidentiality.

Professional help is available if you or someone you know is struggling with gambling-related harm. Reaching out is a constructive step toward regaining control.

• iCall (iCall Psychosocial Helpline): A counselling service run by the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Mumbai. Reachable at +91-9152987821. Offers individual psychological support and referrals.
• Vandrevala Foundation Helpline: A 24-hour mental health support line available across India at 1860-2662-345 or +91-1800-2333-330. Provides free, confidential counselling.
• Snehi: A voluntary organisation offering emotional support and mental health counselling. Contact them at +91-44-24640050.
• Fortis Stress Helpline: Operated by Fortis Healthcare, available at +91-8376804102. Provides support for stress-related and behavioural health concerns, including addiction.
• NIMHANS (National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences): Located in Bengaluru, NIMHANS offers specialised addiction treatment programmes and outpatient services. Contact via +91-80-46110007.
• Gamblers Anonymous India: A peer support fellowship for individuals affected by compulsive gambling. Meetings and contact details are available through their regional chapters across major Indian cities.