Responsible gambling

Why we write about this

Gambling is entertainment – as long as it stays that way. The mathematics of slot machines favours the casino: an RTP of 96% means that in the long run, €4 out of every €100 wagered stays with the house. In the short term anything can happen; in the long term it cannot. If you know this and treat playing as a cost, not an investment, you're in the right place. If you're trying to win your losses back, you no longer are.

This site is for people over 18 only. We write the content for adult, conscious players, and we list the responsible gambling tools on every casino page.

Ground rules that work

Only stake what you can afford to lose. Not the rent, not the loan, not borrowed money.
Set a limit before you play – for money and for time. It's harder afterwards.
Don't chase losses. The next spin doesn't "owe" you anything.
Don't play under the influence of alcohol or stress. Your decisions get worse, your stakes get bigger.
A bonus is not free money. Read the wagering requirement before you take it.
Take breaks. Long sessions distort judgement.

Tools in the casinos

Every licensed casino – including those under a Curaçao licence – is required to provide responsible gambling tools. In the account settings you'll find these:

Deposit limit – a daily, weekly or monthly ceiling; lowering it applies immediately, raising it comes with a 24–72 hour delay.
Loss limit – a cap on net losses for a given period.
Bet limit – the maximum stake per round.
Time limit and reminders – the system tells you how long you've been playing.
Time-out – the account can be locked from 24 hours up to 6 weeks.
Self-exclusion – from 6 months to permanent; the decision cannot be reversed before it expires.

These are not punishments but tools. Setting a limit doesn't make you weak, it makes you conscious – the same logic as a monthly budget.

The signs of problem gambling

The number of yes answers to the questions below is a signal. One or two is not yet a problem – but worth paying attention to. Four or more: it's time to ask for help.

Do you play more than you planned – in time or in money?
Do you play to win back what you've lost?
Have you taken a loan or sold something in order to play?
Do you hide from your family or friends how much you play?
Do you neglect work, studies or relationships because of playing?
Do you get irritable or restless when you cannot play?
Do you play to escape from problems or a bad mood?
Have you tried to stop and not managed to?

Where to turn

Help is available for free and anonymously:

Gambling Therapy – international online counselling by chat and email, in many languages: gamblingtherapy.org
Gamblers Anonymous (GA) – self-help groups and meetings around the world: gamblersanonymous.org
GamCare – free information, advice and support: gamcare.org.uk
BeGambleAware – confidential advice and links to local helplines: begambleaware.org
Local helplines – most countries operate a free problem-gambling helpline; the casinos' responsible gambling pages list the one for your region.

If someone around you is gambling problematically, the same organisations help family members and friends too.

Protecting minors

Gambling under 18 is prohibited, and licensed casinos verify age before paying out. If there is a child in the household: don't save the password in the browser, use parental control software, and don't leave the account logged in on a shared device. An account registered with false data will be locked by the casino and the winnings forfeited.

Our commitment

We don't write things like "guaranteed win" or "foolproof strategy", because no such thing exists. With bonuses we spell out the terms, not just the number. If a casino provides no responsible gambling tools, that means a deduction in its rating. And if playing is no longer fun: the contacts above work right away.