Responsible Gambling: Knowing When to Stop

The clearest warning sign is chasing losses — placing more bets specifically to win back money you have already lost. This is a common pattern, and it is worth naming directly: the money you have already lost is gone. Placing more bets does not retrieve it. It creates new risk with money that was not originally set aside for betting.

Other warning signs include: betting with money you need for essential expenses (rent, food, bills), lying to people close to you about how much you are betting or losing, thinking about betting constantly throughout the day, and feeling anxious or irritable when you are not able to place a bet. Any one of these taken in isolation might not indicate a serious problem. Several of them together almost certainly do.

Escalation is also significant. If you started with small stakes and found yourself needing to bet more to feel the same level of engagement, that is a pattern worth examining. It does not mean something is irreversibly wrong. It does mean you should take stock before the amounts increase further.

The platform has built-in tools to help you stay within boundaries you set for yourself. **Deposit limits** cap the amount of money you can add to your account within a specified time period — daily, weekly, or monthly. Once you set a limit, it takes effect immediately. Raising a limit requires a cooling-off period, which is intentional.

Session time limits let you set a maximum duration for a single betting session. When you reach the limit, the platform prompts you to stop. This is useful if you find that you lose track of time during live matches — and most people do, because live betting is designed to be absorbing.

To set these controls, go to the Responsible Gaming section of your account. If you have trouble finding the controls or want to discuss your options, contact support directly. The team is available from 6 AM to 2 AM IST daily and can help you configure your account.

A cooling-off period is a temporary pause on your account — typically 24 hours, 7 days, or 30 days. During this time, you cannot place bets or add funds. It is designed to create space when you feel that your betting is getting away from you. You can request a cooling-off period through your account settings or by contacting support.

Self-exclusion is a longer-term measure. When you self-exclude, your account is closed for a period you specify — typically between 6 months and 5 years. This is a serious step and should be taken seriously. Once a self-exclusion is in place, it cannot easily be reversed during the exclusion period. This is by design.

If you are uncertain whether you need a cooling-off period or a full self-exclusion, start with the cooling-off period. It gives you distance without permanence. Many people find that a week away from the platform is enough to rebalance their approach. If you return and find the same patterns reasserting themselves quickly, self-exclusion is the more appropriate tool.

Platform controls are useful, but they are not a substitute for professional support when betting has become a serious problem. If your betting is causing financial hardship, damaging relationships, or affecting your mental health, the right support is outside this platform.

In India, iCall provides free mental health counselling and can be reached at 9152987821. The National Problem Gambling Helpline in many countries provides 24-hour phone support. Gamblers Anonymous has chapters in major Indian cities and operates a peer support model that many people find more useful than clinical counselling.

Seeking help is not an indication of weakness or failure. It is the appropriate response to a medical pattern that responds well to intervention. The earlier you seek support, the more effective it tends to be.

If your betting is currently manageable and you want to keep it that way, a few practical habits help. Set a fixed budget before you open the platform — not after. Treat that budget as spent the moment you decide on it, not after you lose it. This removes the psychological distortion that comes from tracking losses in real time.

Avoid betting when you are tired, upset, or have been drinking. Decision quality drops significantly in these states, and the market does not adjust its standards to accommodate you. The odds are exactly as sharp at midnight as they are at noon.

Keep a simple record of what you stake and what you win or lose each month. Most people who think they are roughly breaking even are, in fact, net losers when they check the actual numbers. Knowing the real figure keeps your expectations calibrated and helps you spot if the amounts are drifting upward.