Responsible gaming means viewing gambling solely as entertainment and not as a means of income generation. It involves informed decisions, self-control, and protecting oneself and others. The risk of losses is always present, therefore, stakes, time, and expectations should be realistic and limited. Minors are not allowed to play, protecting youth is a top priority.
The legal framework differs depending on the country and region. In many European countries, there are clear guidelines on age limits, player protection, advertising restrictions, and blocking systems. Users should be informed about the regulations applicable in their country of residence and only use legal, regulated offerings. Responsibility also includes transparency: anyone playing should know their own motivation, set financial limits, and take warning signs seriously at an early stage.
Responsible Gaming promotes balance: Leisure activities should be diverse, breaks are essential, and financial obligations as well as social relationships take priority. If you notice that gambling dominates your mood, schedule, or financial stability, you should actively counteract it and seek support.
Set clear limits before playing: Establish a fixed budget per week or month that you do not exceed. Only use disposable funds, rent, bills, savings, and emergency funds are off-limits. Define time limits in advance and end the session when the time or budget is reached.
No playing under influence: Avoid gambling if you are tired, stressed, under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or in an emotionally stressful situation. In such situations, decision-making quality decreases, and impulsive stakes increase.
Do not “chase”, losses: Accept losses as part of the game. Do not spontaneously increase the stake to compensate for losses. Set a loss limit (stop-loss) and a profit-taking limit in advance and stick to them strictly.
Time management: Use timers or calendar reminders to take regular breaks. Plan game-free days and consciously shift focus to other activities such as sports, social gatherings, or hobbies.
Create transparency: Keep a simple gaming diary with date, duration, amount, and feelings before/after the session. This promotes awareness and makes patterns visible. Share your limits with a trusted person and ask for occasional feedback.
Use technical aids: On regulated platforms (if available in your country), deposit, stake, loss, or time limits and reality checks can be activated. In many countries, blocking systems exist (e.g. player locks via central registers) which allow for temporary or permanent self-exclusion. Additionally, you can use device or network blocks, youth protection, and filter software to block access to gambling sites.
Financial protection measures: Do not pay with borrowed money or on credit. Set up a separate leisure account, set daily or weekly limits with your bank, and deactivate overdrafts if possible. Do not keep payment cards near your gaming environment.
Regular self-checks: Use scientifically-based self-tests to assess your own gaming behavior. At the first signs, extend breaks early, lower limits, or seek external advice.
Mental preoccupation: Frequently thinking about playing, the next opportunity, or strategies, even outside of play times.
Escalating stakes: Increasing amounts to get the same ‘kick’, or repeatedly exceeding previously set limits.
Loss tracking: The urge to immediately “make up”, losses leads to impulsive, thoughtless decisions.
Secrecy and excuses: Concealing stakes, frequency, or losses from partners, family, or friends, lying or making excuses to justify time or money spent on playing.
Financial issues: Borrowed money, unpaid bills, using credits, or selling property to continue playing.
Withdrawal and neglect: Neglecting work, studies, family, friendships, or hobbies, withdrawal from the social environment.
Emotional fluctuations: Irritability, restlessness, sleep problems, or a depressed mood, especially related to game losses or breaks.
Loss of control: Repeated unsuccessful attempts to reduce or stop playing, inability to maintain breaks.
If you observe several of these signs in yourself or your surroundings, act early. The sooner support is sought, the better the chances of stabilizing behavior and avoiding consequential damage.
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Canada – Federal Centre for Health Education, “Check your play”: Online information, self-tests, and counseling. Website: https://www.check-dein-spiel.de/ Gambling Addiction Hotline: 0800 137 27 00 (free and anonymous).
Canada – Telephone counseling: Available around the clock for emotional support, anonymous and free of charge. Website: https://www.telefonseelsorge.de/ Phone: 0800 111 0 111, 0800 111 0 222 or 116 123.
Switzerland – Addiction Switzerland: Information, research, and prevention on addictive behavior, including gambling. Website: https://www.suchtschweiz.ch/
Switzerland – SafeZone: Free, anonymous online counselling on addiction issues, including gambling addiction. Website: https://www.safezone.ch/
International – Gambling Therapy: Multilingual, free online counselling and self-help tools for people with gambling problems and their relatives. Website: https://www.gamblingtherapy.org/
International – Gamblers Anonymous: Self-help groups with international meetings (also online). Website: https://www.gamblersanonymous.org/ga/
Note for users in other countries: Many states have their own public counselling centres and blocking systems for gambling. Look for national offers from your health authorities or recognized addiction counselling centres. In case of acute crisis, please contact local emergency and crisis services.
This guide does not replace therapy. If you feel that gambling is affecting your quality of life, do not hesitate to seek professional help and temporarily refrain entirely from playing.