Keep the Game Fun

Casino games, slots, poker and sports bets can be an enjoyable pastime for adults. They can also cost more than money when they stop being a game. This page is our plain-spoken reminder of how to keep play in its proper place, and what to do if it slips.

18+ and local law

All gambling content on this site is for readers aged 18 or over, or older where local law sets a higher age. Rules on gambling differ between countries and even between regions of the same country. In some places, online gambling is restricted or prohibited altogether. Please make sure that any game you play is legal where you are.

Play is a cost, not an income

Every casino game is designed with a built-in margin for the operator, and sports prices include the bookmaker's margin too. Short sessions can go either way, but over time that margin works against the player. Our explainer on the house edge shows how. The healthiest way to think about gambling is as paid entertainment, like a cinema ticket: money you spend on an evening's fun and do not expect back.

Set your limits before the first bet

• Money: decide what you can comfortably lose this week or month, and treat it as spent once it is gone.
• Time: set an alarm. Sessions almost always last longer than they feel.
• Account tools: licensed operators usually offer deposit limits, loss limits, time reminders, cooling-off periods and self-exclusion. Switch them on while you are calm.
• Separation: keep gambling money apart from rent, bills and savings. Never borrow to play.
• A clear head: avoid playing when you are tired, upset or have been drinking.

Signs a game is no longer fun

Gambling problems tend to creep up slowly. Be honest with yourself if any of these sound familiar:

1. You spend more money or time than you planned, more and more often.
2. You chase losses, betting again to win back what is gone.
3. Cutting back leaves you edgy, snappy or unable to settle.
4. You hide your play, or the amount you spend, from people close to you.
5. You borrow money, sell things or miss payments because of gambling.
6. Gambling crowds out work, sleep, family or other hobbies.

One sign does not mean you have a problem, but it is a good moment to pause, take a break and talk to someone.

Where to find support

Help is available, and reaching out early makes a difference. Many countries have free, confidential gambling support services, including telephone helplines, online chat and in-person counselling. Your national health service or your doctor can point you to them, as can a quick search for your country's gambling support service. Licensed gambling operators are usually required to show links to local help on their own sites. If you are worried about someone else, these services can often advise friends and family too.

If you feel at risk right now, use the self-exclusion tools offered by the sites you play on and contact a local support service today. You can also block gambling sites on your devices with widely available blocking software.

Keep other things in the frame

Games are best as one part of a full life. If you are looking for low-stakes evenings, our hobbies section covers card and tile games played purely for points, and the 50/30/20 budget rule is a simple way to see where entertainment fits in your month.