Responsible gambling: limits, warning signs and help
Gambling is a paid form of entertainment with a built-in cost: over time, the house wins. Responsible gambling means keeping it that way — an activity with a budget and an end time, not a way to solve money problems or escape other worries. This page explains the tools that help, the signs that something is going wrong, and where to get free, confidential support. It applies to any operator, including Playone.
Tools to set before you play
- Deposit limit: a maximum amount you can pay in per day, week or month. The most effective single tool.
- Loss limit: a cap on net losses over a period, after which you cannot place further bets.
- Session limit: a maximum playing time per session, with automatic logout.
- Reality check: a pop-up at set intervals showing how long you have played and what you have won or lost.
- Cooling-off: a short break of a day to several weeks during which the account is locked.
- Self-exclusion: a longer or permanent block, described on our self-exclusion page.
Lowering a limit usually works immediately; raising it should come with a delay. If an operator lets you raise limits instantly, use that as a reason to keep them low.
Warning signs
Gambling becomes a problem gradually. Common signs are: playing with money meant for bills; chasing losses with bigger stakes; borrowing to gamble; hiding gambling from people close to you; feeling restless or irritable when not playing; and playing longer than planned again and again. If two or three of these sound familiar, it is worth talking to someone — before the situation becomes harder.
Age verification and underage gambling
Online gambling is for adults only: 18+ in most countries and 21+ in some, including Belgium. Licensed operators must run age verification before allowing play and withdrawals. Underage gambling is illegal and harmful. If children use your devices, use parental control software, keep gambling accounts logged out and never share passwords. Operators also publish lists of restricted countries where they do not accept players; those restrictions apply regardless of your age.
Practical habits that help
Decide on a budget that you could lose without affecting your life, and treat it as the price of the entertainment. Do not gamble when you are upset, tired or under the influence of alcohol. Keep a simple record of deposits and withdrawals. Take regular breaks. Do not use bonuses or cashback as a reason to keep playing — the mechanics are explained on our bonus page.
Where to get help
Free and confidential support is available without an appointment:
- Gambling Therapy — free global online support, including live chat and forums, in several languages.
- Gamblers Anonymous — peer support meetings in person and online in many countries.
Your national health services and debt-advice organisations can also help with the financial side. Neither service is connected to any operator.
Living in Belgium? If you live in Belgium, the rules are stricter: 21+, Kansspelcommissie licences only on .be domains, SOS Gokken 0800 35 777 — see the Dutch version.
Supporting someone else
If someone close to you gambles too much, talk to them calmly and without blame, and avoid lending money for gambling. Help services also support partners and family members. Some national self-exclusion schemes allow a third party to request an exclusion. For complaints about an operator, see our complaints guide, and for questions about this site, the support page.