Responsible Gaming
Gambling should always be a form of entertainment, not a way to earn money or solve financial problems. Never gamble with money you cannot afford to lose. If gambling stops being fun and starts causing stress, anxiety, or harm, it is time to step back and seek help.
Age Verification
You must be at least 18 years old, or the legal gambling age in your jurisdiction (whichever is higher), to participate in any gambling activity. In India, the legal age varies by state — it is typically 18 or 21. Underage gambling is illegal and harmful. We encourage parents and guardians to use filtering software to prevent minors from accessing gambling sites.
Warning Signs of Problem Gambling
Problem gambling can develop gradually. If you recognise any of the following signs in yourself or someone you care about, it may indicate a gambling problem:
- Chasing losses — trying to win back money you have lost
- Hiding your gambling from family or friends
- Gambling with money needed for rent, bills, or food
- Feeling restless or irritable when trying to cut down
- Lying about how much time or money you spend gambling
- Borrowing money or selling possessions to gamble
- Neglecting work, studies, or relationships due to gambling
- Gambling to escape from stress, anxiety, or depression
Self-Help Tools
Many reputable gambling platforms offer tools to help you stay in control. Use these features if available on the site you visit:
- Deposit limits — cap how much money you can deposit daily, weekly, or monthly.
- Loss limits — set a maximum amount you are willing to lose in a given period.
- Reality checks — receive reminders of how long you have been playing.
- Self-exclusion — block yourself from accessing gambling sites for a chosen period (e.g., 6 months, 1 year, or permanently).
- Time-out periods — take a short break from gambling, usually 24 hours to 6 weeks.
If these tools are not enough, consider installing blocking software like Gamban or BetBlocker on your devices.
Support Organizations
If you are in India and need immediate help, contact any of the following:
- AASRA — 24x7 helpline: +91-22-27546669 or +91-9820466726 (English and Hindi)
- iCall (Tata Institute of Social Sciences) — +91-22-25521111 (Mon-Sat, 8am-10pm)
- Vandrevala Foundation — 1860-2662-345 (24x7 mental health helpline)
- Gamblers Anonymous India — local meetings available in major cities; search for "Gamblers Anonymous India" online for details.
- NIMHANS Centre for Well Being — +91-80-26995000 (Bengaluru, offers addiction counselling)
If you are outside India, here are trusted national organizations for problem gambling support:
- United Kingdom: GamCare — www.gamcare.org.uk (helpline 0808 8020 133) and GamStop — www.gamstop.co.uk (free self-exclusion)
- Australia: Gambling Help Online — www.gamblinghelponline.org.au (1800 858 858)
- Canada: Responsible Gambling Council — www.responsiblegambling.org
- United States: National Council on Problem Gambling — www.ncpgambling.org (1-800-GAMBLER)
- Germany: Bundeszentrale für gesundheitliche Aufklärung (BZgA) — www.bzga.de (helpline 0800 1372700)
- Other countries: Search for your national problem gambling helpline or visit www.gamblingtherapy.org for international support.
Seek Help Now
If you feel that gambling is no longer a choice but a compulsion, or if it is causing harm to you or your loved ones, please reach out to a support service today. Help is free, confidential, and available. You are not alone — recovery is possible.