Responsible Gaming

Gambling Should Be Entertainment

Gambling should be an occasional form of entertainment, not a way to earn money, pay bills, clear debts, or solve financial problems. Every bet carries a risk of loss, and no system or strategy can guarantee profit.

Only spend money you can afford to lose. Set a firm entertainment budget before playing, never borrow money to gamble, and do not chase losses. Take regular breaks and keep gambling separate from essential expenses such as rent, food, education, and healthcare.

Age Verification and Local Law in India

You must be at least 18 years old and meet any higher minimum age required by the law that applies where you live. Gambling and betting rules in India differ between states and can change. Online access does not mean that an activity is legal in your location.

• Check the current rules in your state before participating. Do not gamble if local law prohibits the activity.
• Provide accurate age and identity information when an operator requests verification.
• Never use another person’s identity, account, or payment method.
• Parents and carers should secure devices and payment details, avoid sharing account access, and consider age-appropriate content controls.

Warning Signs of Problem Gambling

One sign does not necessarily mean you have a gambling problem, but several signs—or a feeling that gambling is becoming difficult to control—deserve prompt attention.

• Chasing losses or placing another bet to try to win money back.
• Hiding gambling, lying about spending, or deleting account and payment records.
• Spending more money or time gambling than planned.
• Increasing stake sizes to feel the same excitement.
• Borrowing money, using credit, selling possessions, or missing bill payments because of gambling.
• Neglecting work, education, sleep, family, friendships, or other responsibilities.
• Gambling to escape stress, anxiety, loneliness, depression, or other difficult feelings.
• Feeling restless, irritable, or distressed when trying to cut down.
• Repeatedly trying to stop or reduce gambling without success.
• Thinking constantly about past bets, future bets, or ways to obtain gambling money.
• Experiencing relationship conflict, financial hardship, shame, or hopelessness connected to gambling.

Self-Help Tools

Set controls before gambling becomes difficult. Availability and scope vary between operators, so use the account settings or official support channel of each operator you use.

• Deposit limits: Cap the amount you can pay into an account over a daily, weekly, or monthly period.
• Loss limits: Set a maximum net loss for a chosen period. Stop playing when that limit is reached.
• Reality checks and session limits: Use reminders showing elapsed time and account activity, and set a fixed end time before starting.
• Time-outs: Take a short break from an account when gambling stops feeling recreational.
• Self-exclusion: Request a longer account block through the operator’s official support channel. Do not open new accounts to bypass a block. Exclusion with one operator may not cover other websites or apps.

Additional practical steps include removing gambling apps and saved payment details, avoiding gambling while upset or intoxicated, asking your bank about gambling-transaction controls, installing reputable blocking software, and asking a trusted person to help you manage money temporarily.

Support Organizations in India

• Tele-MANAS — Government of India mental health support: Free, round-the-clock telephone support for mental health concerns, including distress connected to gambling. Call 14416 or 1-800-891-4416, or visit telemanas.mohfw.gov.in.
• NIMHANS Centre for Addiction Medicine, Bengaluru: A specialist service providing addiction assessment and treatment. Visit the official NIMHANS website for department, outpatient, and contact information.

You can also speak with a qualified mental-health professional or addiction service in your state. These services can help with gambling behaviour as well as related financial stress, anxiety, depression, and relationship difficulties.

If Gambling Is Causing Harm, Seek Help Now

If any of these warning signs feel familiar, stop gambling and do not place another bet to recover losses. Use self-exclusion, put practical barriers between yourself and gambling accounts, tell someone you trust, and contact Tele-MANAS or a qualified addiction professional.

Asking for help is a positive step, not a failure. Support is available, and change is possible. If you may harm yourself or someone else, call India’s emergency number 112 or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.