Responsible Gambling: A Practical Guide to Safety

First, self-check

What state are you in right now? It can be surprisingly difficult to see it objectively. Take a look at the checklist below. If you find yourself with several points that make you think, “Oh, this could be me,” it might be time to take a deep breath and close the game.

• You find yourself playing for longer than you intended.
• You’re desperate to quickly get back the money you lost (revenge!).
• You can’t be honest with your family or friends about how much you spent, and you end up slightly exaggerating.
• When you try to quit playing, you feel irritated or unsettled.
• You want to play even if it means dipping into your living expenses or savings.
• You have the unfounded hope that “one more win will solve everything.”
• You’re experiencing sleep deprivation and difficulty concentrating on work or studies.
• You’ve even borrowed money from someone just to play.

How about you? If three or more of these apply to you, it’s time to “stop for a moment” today and try the steps below.

5 Steps to Take When Tilt

“Tilt” is a term often used in poker, but it basically refers to a state in which emotions become so intense that you lose the ability to make rational decisions. When this happens, you tend to make reckless moves that you would never normally make. When this happens, reflexively take the following steps:

1. Physically distance yourself: First, put down your smartphone or close your computer screen. This alone will significantly reduce stimulation to your brain.
2. Take deep breaths: Inhale for 4 seconds, hold for 4 seconds, and exhale over 8 seconds. This will force your autonomic nervous system to calm down.
3. Clear all browser tabs: Temporarily close all tabs and apps to let go of that feeling of “almost there…”
4. Turn off notifications: Notifications for campaigns and promotions can make you want to go back, so temporarily turn them off.
5. Talk to someone: Talk to a friend or family member about a completely different topic that’s unrelated to gambling (like what you had for dinner tonight or a TV show you recently watched) to bring your mind back to reality.

Budget Management Tool (to fill in)

The most reliable way to do this is to set a limit from the start. We recommend organizing your income and expenses like the chart below.

Golden rules of budget management:

• Stay within your entertainment budget.
• Never go into debt to play.
• Set a limit to the amount you can laugh off if you lose it.

Set a timer and force the game to end when the time is up.

Platform settings

If you see a “limit setting” option in your platform’s profile or security settings, make sure to use it.

• Deposit Limit: A feature that sets a daily, weekly, or monthly limit on deposits.
• Bet Limit: A feature that locks the maximum amount you can bet per transaction.
• Timeout (break): A feature that allows you to “cool off” by locking yourself out of your account for a few days.
• Self-Exclusion: A feature that suspends your account for an extended period of time, or even permanently.

If you can’t find these options in your settings, you’ll need to take physical measures yourself. For example, lower your bank transfer limits or use an app that blocks access to certain sites. Creating a system that doesn’t rely solely on your own will is your best defense.

Signs that suggest taking a break or seeking advice

Finally, these are signs that should not be laughed at but should be taken seriously. If you or someone you know is in this situation, don’t hesitate to seek professional advice or speak to someone you trust.

• Even when you’re not playing, you’re constantly thinking about the next play.
• When you start losing on a losing streak, you are overcome by feelings of despair and helplessness.
• You’re no longer feeling guilty about telling lies.
• You’re thinking about making more money through games to pay off your debts.
• Gaming is almost destroying important relationships (with your partner or friends).

It’s not a good idea to deal with it alone. There are now many online communities and support services where you can get anonymous advice about gambling problems. Don’t think “I’m fine,” and if you start to feel a little tired, take a break immediately. That may be the fastest way to “win.”