Your Safety and Responsible Gaming Matters

Safe gambling is possible when you decide in advance how much you can spend, how long you will play, and what your priorities are. You can use the strategies below to keep control over your play and avoid harm.

Responsible gaming strategies you can use:

• Set a fixed budget before you start. Decide how much money you can afford to lose without affecting rent, bills, food, education, or family needs. Once that amount is gone, stop playing.
• Use deposit and loss limits. Most licensed sites allow you to set daily, weekly, or monthly limits on how much you can deposit or lose. Choose limits that fit your income and stick to them.
• Plan your playing time. Decide your start and end time before you log in. Use phone alarms or reminders so that gambling does not take over work, studies, or family time.
• Treat gambling as entertainment, not income. See every bet as the price of entertainment, similar to going to a movie or match. Never rely on gambling to pay debts, bills, or regular expenses.
• Avoid chasing losses. Losses are part of gambling. Increasing bet sizes or playing longer to recover money usually leads to more losses and stress. Take a break instead.
• Do not gamble under stress, anger, or intoxication. Avoid playing when you feel very sad, anxious, angry, or after drinking alcohol or using substances. Decisions in these moments are often risky.
• Keep gambling separate from loans and credit. Do not use credit cards, personal loans, borrowed money, or overdrafts for gambling. Only use funds that are completely disposable.
• Regularly review your transaction history. Check your deposits and withdrawals each week or month. This helps you see patterns early and adjust your limits if needed.
• Protect minors from exposure. Do not share gambling accounts, passwords, or devices with children or teenagers. Use parental controls on your devices when possible.
• Take routine breaks from gambling. Plan gambling-free days or weeks. Time away helps you evaluate whether gambling is still under control and enjoyable.

Gambling can slowly change from a casual activity to a serious problem. It often becomes harder to notice this shift in yourself. The signs below can help you identify when gambling may be harming your life or the life of someone close to you.

Common signs of gambling addiction:

• Spending more money than planned. Frequently going over your gambling budget or needing more money to feel the same excitement.
• Chasing losses. Increasing bet sizes or playing longer to try and recover lost money, even when it causes more stress.
• Hiding or lying about gambling. Concealing betting activity, deleting messages, or avoiding honest conversations about time or money spent gambling.
• Using important money for gambling. Using savings, education funds, rent, business capital, or family money for betting.
• Borrowing or selling items to gamble. Taking loans, using credit beyond your means, or selling personal belongings to continue gambling.
• Gambling affecting work or studies. Missing deadlines, skipping classes, losing focus at work, or getting warnings due to gambling.
• Relationship conflicts related to gambling. Frequent arguments, loss of trust, or emotional distance from family or friends because of gambling behaviour.
• Feeling restless or irritable when not gambling. Feeling uneasy, low, or angry when you try to cut down or stop gambling.
• Using gambling to escape problems. Playing to avoid stress, loneliness, depression, financial worries, or family issues.
• Ignoring responsibilities. Reducing time for family, children, health, social activities, or religious duties because gambling has become the main focus.

Notice even a few of these signs in your life or in someone close to you. That may be the right moment to slow down, use site tools to limit play, or talk to a professional support service in India.

Online casinos, sports betting sites, and slot games are meant only for adults who have reached the legal age of majority. In most parts of India this means 18 years or older, and in some cases 21 years, depending on the state and local rules.

Age checks and identity verification are required to protect minors from gambling-related harm. Accounts must be created only in your own name, using accurate personal details, and must not be shared with children or teenagers.

Parents and guardians are encouraged to use parental control tools, secure passwords, and separate user profiles so that minors do not get access to gambling sites or related content.

Many licensed online casinos and betting sites provide self-exclusion tools. These tools exist to support players who feel their gambling is no longer under control or who want to prevent future harm. You can use them at any time, even before serious problems appear.

What self-exclusion means:

Self-exclusion is a voluntary agreement you make with a gambling operator to block your access for a fixed period or permanently. During self-exclusion you cannot log in, deposit, or place bets. Marketing communication from the operator is usually reduced or stopped.

Common self-exclusion tools:

• Temporary cool-off periods. Short breaks such as 24 hours, 7 days, or 30 days. Useful when you feel overwhelmed or need time to regain control.
• Long-term self-exclusion. Blocking your account for several months or years. Often used when gambling has started to harm finances, family life, or mental health.
• Permanent account closure. Closing your account without the option to reopen it on the same platform. This can be suitable when you decide that gambling is not healthy for you.
• Product-specific blocking. Some sites allow you to block particular sections such as casino games, live casino, or sports betting while keeping other services limited or closed.

How to request self-exclusion:

You can usually request self-exclusion through your account settings or by contacting customer support through chat or email. Ask for confirmation in writing and keep a copy for your records. If you use several gambling sites, consider requesting self-exclusion at each site individually.

Self-exclusion is not a cure on its own. It is one practical step that works best when combined with professional help, emotional support, and financial planning if needed.

Gambling addiction is recognised as a mental health condition. Effective help is available in India through public hospitals, private clinics, helplines, and non-profit organisations. Reaching out for support is a responsible act that protects your future and your family.

Below are some resources and starting points in India where you can seek information, counselling, or treatment for gambling-related problems. Availability and services may change over time, so confirm details directly on official websites or phone lines.

Key support options and organisations in India:

• National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS), Bengaluru
  Offers specialised services for addiction and behavioural addictions through its Centre for Addiction Medicine. You can access outpatient and inpatient treatment, psychological counselling, and family support.
• All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi and other centres
  Department of Psychiatry and related units provide assessment and treatment for addictive behaviours, including gambling, through clinical services and counselling.
• State mental health institutes and government hospitals
  Many state-run hospitals in cities such as Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, and others have de-addiction centres or psychiatry departments. These services often include low-cost counselling and treatment.
• NGO-based de-addiction centres
  Various non-profit organisations across India operate de-addiction and rehabilitation centres. Some treat behavioural addictions together with substance use disorders and offer family counselling and group therapy.
• Private psychiatrists and clinical psychologists
  Licensed mental health professionals can provide individual therapy, diagnosis, and ongoing support for gambling problems. You can search through professional bodies such as the Indian Psychiatric Society or local medical associations.
• Tele-counselling and mental health helplines
  National and regional helplines supported by health departments and NGOs offer phone or online counselling in multiple Indian languages. Many of these services can guide you to local treatment options for gambling addiction.
• Online mental health platforms
  Several India-based digital platforms connect you to psychiatrists, psychologists, and counsellors through video or chat. Some professionals have experience dealing with behavioural addictions, including gambling.

If you feel at immediate risk of harming yourself or others, contact local emergency services or go to the nearest hospital without delay. Emotional and financial recovery from gambling problems is possible, and professional guidance can make the process safer and more structured.