Responsible Gaming
Practical information for keeping paid gameplay within personal time and spending limits.
Responsible Gaming
Paid games can involve financial loss, so responsible play starts with limits rather than trying to predict outcomes. Decide what you can comfortably spend before you begin and treat that amount as entertainment spending, not as an expected return.
Set a spending limit
Use money that is not needed for rent, food, bills, debt payments or other essential expenses. If your limit is reached, stop rather than adding funds to recover a loss.
Set a time limit
Long sessions can make it harder to notice how much time has passed. Use breaks and step away when you feel tired, frustrated or distracted.
Avoid chasing losses
A previous loss does not make a future win more likely. Increasing the next stake to recover a loss can increase the size of the loss instead.
Watch for warning signs
- Hiding spending from people you trust.
- Borrowing money to continue playing.
- Repeatedly exceeding your own limit.
- Feeling unable to stop despite wanting to.
- Trying to recover losses by increasing stakes.
Get support
If gambling or paid gameplay is becoming difficult to control, consider talking to a trusted person or a qualified support service in your area. Taking a break or stopping is a valid choice.
Simple personal checklist
- My spending limit is set before play.
- Essential household money is not being used.
- I can stop without increasing the next stake.
- I take regular breaks.
- I keep track of spending.
- I understand that outcomes are uncertain.