Responsible Gaming

Safe gambling begins with conscious choices and consistent habits. The following strategies can help you maintain a healthy relationship with online gaming.

• Set a budget before you play. Decide in advance the maximum amount you are comfortable spending and do not exceed it.
• Use deposit limits. Most licensed platforms allow you to cap your daily, weekly, or monthly deposits directly from your account settings.
• Treat gambling as entertainment. Approach it as a leisure activity with a fixed cost, not as a source of income.
• Keep track of time spent. Set a time limit for each session and use alarms or platform tools to stay within it.
• Never chase losses. If you have reached your limit, stop. Attempting to recover losses in the same session increases risk.
• Avoid gambling when emotionally distressed. Stress, grief, or anxiety can impair judgement and lead to poor decisions.
• Take regular breaks. Step away from the screen at intervals to maintain a clear perspective.
• Do not borrow money to gamble. Playing only with funds you can afford to lose is a core principle of safe play.
• Balance gambling with other activities. A varied lifestyle reduces the risk of gambling becoming a dominant habit.
• Review your play history periodically. Most platforms provide account statements. Checking them regularly helps you stay aware of your patterns.

Gambling addiction can develop gradually and is not always easy to identify in oneself. The warning signs below are recognised indicators that professional support may be needed.

• Spending more money on gambling than originally intended, on a regular basis.
• Feeling restless or irritable when attempting to reduce or stop gambling.
• Repeated unsuccessful efforts to control, cut back, or stop gambling.
• Thinking about gambling frequently, including planning future sessions or reliving past ones.
• Gambling to escape personal problems, anxiety, or low mood.
• Lying to family members, friends, or colleagues about the extent of gambling activity.
• Borrowing money, selling possessions, or using funds set aside for essential expenses to gamble.
• Neglecting work, education, or family responsibilities due to time spent gambling.
• Continuing to gamble despite serious negative financial or personal consequences.
• Relying on others to provide financial assistance caused by gambling losses.

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 means players must be at least 18 years of age, or older in states where local regulations set a higher minimum. Age verification is a mandatory step during account registration on all licensed platforms. If you are aware of a minor attempting to access gambling services, it is important to report this to the platform’s support team immediately.

Self-exclusion is a voluntary measure that allows you to restrict your own access to an online gambling platform for a defined period. Licensed casinos are required to provide this option, and you can typically activate it through your account settings or by contacting customer support directly. Once a self-exclusion period is in effect, the platform will not permit deposits, gameplay, or promotional communications for its duration. Exclusion periods can range from a few weeks to several years, depending on the platform and your personal preference. Some services also support permanent account closure for individuals who decide to stop gambling entirely. Self-exclusion is a recognised and effective tool, and using it is a responsible decision that reflects awareness and self-care.

Professional support is available if you or someone you know is experiencing difficulties related to gambling. The organisations listed below provide confidential assistance across India.

• iCall (iCall Psychosocial Support): A mental health helpline run by the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) in Mumbai. Provides counselling and psychological support, including for behavioural addictions. Helpline: +91-9152987821.
• Vandrevala Foundation Helpline: A 24-hour mental health support service available across India in multiple languages. Covers addiction-related concerns and crisis support. Helpline: 1860-2662-345 or +91-1800-2333-330.
• NIMHANS (National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences): A premier mental health institution in Bengaluru offering assessment and treatment programmes for behavioural addictions, including gambling disorder. Located in Bengaluru, Karnataka.
• Alcoholics Anonymous India (AA India): Though primarily focused on alcohol dependency, AA India chapters across major cities also support individuals dealing with compulsive behavioural patterns, including gambling. Contact via local chapter directories available on the AA India website.
• Parivarthan Counselling, Training and Research Centre: Based in Bengaluru, Parivarthan offers counselling services for individuals and families affected by addiction and mental health concerns. Helpline: +91-7676602602.
• iDOC Foundation: An organisation focused on digital and behavioural addiction support in India, offering counselling and awareness programmes for affected individuals and their families.