Responsible gambling
Gambling should be entertainment paid for with money you can afford to lose. This site is about bonus terms, and bonuses have a particular effect worth naming: they make playing feel "free" or "already paid for", and they attach a turnover target and a deadline to your balance. Those two things are exactly what can turn a relaxed session into chasing. This page covers the tools that keep play under control and where to find help.
Warning signs to take seriously
- Depositing again to finish wagering on a bonus you no longer enjoy.
- Raising stakes to win back losses, or to reach a target before it expires.
- Playing longer than planned, or at times you would otherwise sleep or work.
- Hiding gambling from people close to you, or borrowing money to play.
Tools worth setting up
| Tool | What it does | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
| Deposit limit | Caps how much you can add per day, week or month | Before your first deposit |
| Session reminder | Shows how long you have been playing | Always useful |
| Time-out | Blocks the account for a short period | After a bad session |
| Self-exclusion | Blocks the account, or all licensed sites via a national register | When control is slipping |
| Declining bonuses | Keeps your balance free of turnover targets | If bonuses make you play more |
More detail on exclusion options is on our self-exclusion page.
Where to get help
Your first port of call should be the national gambling helpline or support service in the country where you live — they know the local options, including counselling and self-exclusion. If you cannot find one, or prefer to talk online, Gambling Therapy provides free support internationally. Readers in Latvia can call the specialised support line for people affected by gambling and their families on +371 293 232 02 (azartaatkariba.lv).
Age, licences and who may play
Gambling is for adults only — 18+, or older where local law says so. Licensed operators must verify age and identity and respect national self-exclusion registers. Whether you may play at all is decided by the law where you live. If you are unsure whether a site is licensed for your country, check the company in your regulator's register before playing; how to do that is explained in about us.
If someone close to you gambles too much
Helplines usually support family members too. Talk without blame, avoid covering their debts, and suggest concrete steps: a deposit limit, self-exclusion, a call to a helpline. Your own wellbeing matters as well.