Play with Awareness, Play with Care

Online gambling can be an enjoyable activity when approached with clear boundaries and informed habits. The following strategies can help you stay in control of your experience.

• Set a budget before you play. Decide in advance how much money you are comfortable spending and do not exceed that amount.
• Use deposit limits. Most licensed platforms allow you to set daily, weekly, or monthly deposit caps directly in your account settings.
• Set time limits for each session. Decide how long you will play before you begin and use platform tools or phone alarms to keep yourself accountable.
• Treat gambling as entertainment. View any money spent as the cost of entertainment, not as an investment or a source of income.
• Never chase losses. If you have reached your budget for the session, stop. Attempting to recover losses often leads to greater financial harm.
• Take regular breaks. Step away from the screen at intervals during a session to maintain a clear perspective.
• Avoid gambling under emotional distress. Stress, anxiety, or personal difficulties can impair judgement and increase impulsive behaviour.
• Do not gamble while under the influence. Alcohol or substances can reduce your ability to make rational decisions.
• Keep gambling separate from other financial obligations. Never use money reserved for rent, bills, or essential expenses.
• Use responsible gaming tools proactively. Self-assessment tests, reality checks, and cooling-off periods are available on most regulated platforms and are there for your benefit.

Gambling addiction can develop gradually and is not always obvious in its early stages. Being aware of the following signs can help you or someone close to you seek support before the situation becomes severe.

• Spending more money or time gambling than originally intended
• Feeling restless or irritable when attempting to reduce or stop gambling
• Repeated unsuccessful efforts to control, cut back, or quit gambling
• Preoccupation with gambling, such as constantly thinking about past sessions or planning the next one
• Gambling to escape problems, anxiety, or feelings of helplessness
• Returning to gambling after losing money in order to try to recover losses
• Lying to family members, friends, or colleagues about the extent of gambling activity
• Borrowing money, selling possessions, or misusing funds to finance gambling
• Experiencing damage to personal relationships, employment, or academic performance due to gambling
• Relying on others to provide financial relief caused by gambling losses

Registration and participation on any licensed online casino platform are strictly restricted to individuals who have reached the legal age of majority. In India, this is generally 18 years of age or older, though this may vary depending on the applicable jurisdiction of the platform. Age verification is a mandatory step in the registration process, and platforms are obligated to enforce this requirement. If you are aware of a minor accessing gambling services, report it to the platform immediately.

Licensed online casinos offer voluntary self-exclusion programmes that allow you to temporarily or permanently restrict access to your account. If you feel that gambling is becoming difficult to control, self-exclusion gives you a structured and enforceable way to pause your activity. You can typically request a cooling-off period of a few days, a longer suspension of several weeks or months, or a permanent account closure, depending on the platform’s available options. During the exclusion period, the platform is required to prevent you from logging in, depositing funds, or placing bets. To initiate self-exclusion, contact the platform’s customer support team or navigate to the responsible gaming section within your account settings. This step is entirely voluntary and is designed to support your wellbeing without judgement.

Professional help is available if you or someone you know is struggling with gambling-related issues. Reaching out to a qualified organisation is a positive and courageous step. The following organisations provide confidential support and guidance:

• iCall (iCALL Psychosocial Helpline): Operated by the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Mumbai. Contact: 9152987821. Available Monday to Saturday, 8 AM to 10 PM IST.
• Vandrevala Foundation Helpline: A 24/7 mental health helpline offering free counselling. Contact: 1860-2662-345 or 1800-2333-330.
• NIMHANS (National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences): Located in Bengaluru, NIMHANS provides specialised psychiatric and psychological services. Website: nimhans.ac.in
• Gamblers Anonymous India: A peer support fellowship for individuals affected by compulsive gambling. Local meetings and contact details are available through the international Gamblers Anonymous network at gamblersanonymous.org.
• Snehi: A Delhi-based organisation providing emotional support and crisis intervention. Contact: 044-24640050.
• Fortis Stress Helpline: Provides mental health support across multiple cities in India. Contact: 8376804102.