Skip to content
Vegas Hero logo Vegas Hero

Responsible Gambling

Practical guidance on safer play, limits, self-exclusion and support resources for players in our markets.

Last updated July 22, 2026

Our approach to safer gambling

We take responsible gambling seriously because play should remain a form of entertainment, not a source of pressure. If you are reading this page, the most important point is simple: gambling is for leisure only. It is not income, it is not an investment, and it should never be used to recover losses. Once play stops feeling recreational, the safest step is to pause and reset.

Our platform has historically supported practical safer-play tools such as deposit limits, session reminders, wagering limits, loss limits, cool-off periods and permanent self-exclusion. Those controls exist to help players keep gambling within boundaries that feel manageable. The right approach is to decide those boundaries before you start, not after emotions or chasing losses have already taken over.

18+

Anyone using gambling services must be of legal age in their jurisdiction. If you are under the legal age, do not register, deposit or attempt to play. If you are an adult, it still helps to treat gambling as entertainment budgeted in advance, just like any other leisure activity.

Set an affordable budget

A good gambling budget is money you can genuinely afford to lose without affecting rent, food, travel, bills or savings. Keep the budget separate from day-to-day spending and decide the amount before you log in. A fixed budget helps reduce impulsive top-ups and makes it easier to stop when the session is over.

A few practical rules we recommend:

  • Set a weekly or monthly entertainment budget.
  • Never borrow money to gamble.
  • Do not use essential funds or emergency savings.
  • Avoid increasing your stake to try to win back losses.
  • Stop when the budget is reached, even if the session feels close.

If you find it hard to respect a budget, that is a sign to add stricter limits or take time away from play.

Warning signs to watch for

Problem gambling can build slowly, so it helps to notice early changes in behaviour. Common warning signs include:

  • Spending more time or money than planned.
  • Feeling irritated when you cannot gamble.
  • Chasing losses or trying to recover a bad session.
  • Hiding gambling from family, friends or partners.
  • Neglecting work, study or household responsibilities.
  • Using gambling to cope with stress, anxiety, boredom or low mood.
  • Repeatedly exceeding personal limits.
  • Thinking about gambling when you should be focused on other things.

If more than one of these feels familiar, take it seriously. Pausing early is easier than trying to regain control after habits have become entrenched.

Use limits before you start

Limits are most effective when they are set before play begins. The tools below can reduce impulsive decisions and help keep sessions structured.

Deposit limits

A deposit limit caps how much you can add to your account over a chosen period. This is one of the simplest and most effective tools because it protects your bankroll before play starts.

Loss limits

A loss limit helps you stop once you have lost a set amount. It can prevent a difficult session from turning into a longer and more expensive one.

Wager limits

A wager limit controls the total amount you can stake. This is useful if you play many smaller rounds and want a cap on total exposure.

Session limits

A session limit restricts how long you can stay active in one sitting. Time can pass quickly during gambling, so a preset limit helps keep your play deliberate.

Reality checks and time awareness

Reality checks are reminders that appear during play to show how long you have been active. They are useful because many players lose track of time when they are focused on the game. We recommend using them alongside your own timer or alarm, especially if you play from a phone or tablet.

When a reality check appears, treat it as a prompt to ask three questions:

  1. Have I played longer than I intended?
  2. Am I still enjoying this as entertainment?
  3. Do I want to stop now and return later?

If the honest answer suggests fatigue, frustration or compulsion, close the session.

Take a cool-off period

A cool-off period, sometimes called a time-out, is a short break from gambling. It can help if you need distance after a tense session or if you want a few days away from the habit entirely. During a cool-off, the safest approach is not to try to work around the break with another account or another device. The purpose is to create space, not to test the boundary.

Self-exclusion and account closure

If gambling no longer feels manageable, self-exclusion is a stronger step than a short break. A self-exclusion request blocks access for a chosen period, and in some cases it can be permanent. Use this option if you need firm barriers rather than flexible reminders.

You may also decide to close your account entirely. Closure is useful if you do not want the option to return, or if you want to remove the temptation to log back in during a difficult moment. Before closing an account, make sure you understand any remaining balance or pending requests connected to it.

Blocking tools and payment barriers

Blocking tools can make it harder to act on impulse. Device-level blocking software, website filters and payment-blocking solutions can all add friction between the urge to gamble and the ability to do so. These tools are most effective when combined with self-exclusion, spend limits and support from people you trust.

If you use cards, e-wallets or other payment methods for gambling, consider adding extra controls at the banking or device level where available. The goal is to reduce fast access to funds during moments of stress or temptation.

Parental and device controls

Parents and carers should use device controls, content filters and account protections to reduce the chance that minors can access gambling products. Keep gambling apps, passwords and payment methods out of reach. Shared devices should be locked properly, and browser-level controls should be reviewed regularly.

If a household device is used by several people, sign out after each session and avoid saving payment details. These steps are simple, but they reduce accidental or unauthorised access.

If gambling stops feeling safe

When gambling begins affecting mood, money or relationships, respond early. A practical plan is:

  1. Stop the current session immediately.
  2. Remove or lower any active limits only after you have had time to think, not in the heat of the moment.
  3. Take a cool-off period or self-exclude if you need stronger protection.
  4. Tell someone you trust what is happening.
  5. Use blocking tools or payment controls to add more distance from play.
  6. Seek professional support if the behaviour keeps repeating.

If you feel overwhelmed, distressed or unable to stay safe, treat it as an urgent matter and contact local emergency services or a crisis line in your area. If there is any immediate risk of harm, do not wait.

Support in your location

Support options vary by country and region, so the best first step is to use local services that specialise in gambling harm, mental health or crisis support. In your area, look for:

  • National gambling support organisations.
  • Local addiction services.
  • Mental health helplines.
  • Financial counselling services.
  • Family support charities that understand gambling-related harm.

If you are in the United Kingdom, Canada, the Nordic countries or parts of Europe, your local health system, municipal support service or national gambling helpline may be able to direct you to the right resource. If you are supporting someone else, ask for advice on how to reduce risk without increasing shame or conflict.

How we encourage safer play

We want our players to stay in control. The most effective safeguards are the ones used early, consistently and honestly. That means setting limits before play, respecting time-outs, acting quickly on warning signs and choosing self-exclusion when lighter controls are no longer enough.

If you are unsure whether your gambling habits are still comfortable, the safest assumption is to step back. Healthy play should feel manageable, optional and contained. If it does not, it is time to take action.

Gambling must stay entertainment. This platform is for adults aged 18+ only. Never spend more than you can afford to lose, chase losses or gamble to escape stress or debt.

Tools to stay in control

  • Deposit limits — cap how much you can add per day, week or month.
  • Loss and wager limits — set a ceiling on stakes or net losses over a period.
  • Reality checks — reminders of how long you have been playing.
  • Time-outs — suspend access for a chosen period.
  • Self-exclusion — block access for a longer period, including applicable national schemes.

Find local support

Support available for your current region: BeGambleAware / GamCare. Other market-specific services are listed below.

RegionMin. ageSupport organisation
United Kingdom18+BeGambleAware / GamCare
0808 8020 133
Germany18+Check dein Spiel (BZgA)
Austria18+Spielsuchthilfe (Spielerschutz)
Italy18+Gioca Responsabile
Spain18+Jugar Bien
Poland18+Anonimowi Hazardzisci
Netherlands18+Loket Kansspel
Finland18+Peluuri
Sweden18+Stodlinjen
Norway18+Hjelpelinjen
Denmark18+StopSpillet