Responsible gambling: the tools that work and where to find them
Gambling responsibly is not a footer slogan: it is a set of concrete tools, some the operator must provide, others that depend on you. This page brings them together — limits, self-exclusion, free support — and explains what stops working when you play on a site outside your regulator's licence register.
Warning signs
- You gamble to win back losses, or return the next day "to make up for it".
- You raise stakes to feel the same excitement.
- You hide from others how much time or money you spend gambling.
- You use money meant for bills, savings or debt repayments.
- You feel irritable or anxious when trying to cut down.
If more than one of these sounds familiar, it is time to use the tools below — and to talk to someone.
Deposit limit, loss limit, session limit
| Tool | What it does | Where to look |
|---|---|---|
| Deposit limit | A daily, weekly or monthly cap on deposits | Often mandatory at licensed operators |
| Loss limit | A cap on what you can lose in a period | The operator's responsible gambling area |
| Session limit | Maximum continuous playing time | The operator's responsible gambling area |
| Reality check | A regular pop-up with time and money played | Account settings |
| Cooling-off period | A temporary break, shorter than self-exclusion | The operator's responsible gambling area |
Which tools are mandatory depends on your country. In Portugal, for example, licensed operators must allow daily, weekly and monthly deposit limits. Look for the tools in your account and use them before you need them.
Self-exclusion
Self-exclusion is the strongest tool. Many countries run a national register that covers every licensed operator with one request. Portugal is a good example: since 8 April 2026 there is a new self-exclusion form at the regulator, SRIJ, and the central register applies to all licensed operators at once, for a minimum of 3 months or indefinitely; early revocation only takes effect one month after it is requested. Where no national scheme exists, you can still self-exclude at each operator. Steps in self-exclusion and limits.
Free support: Gambling Therapy
Gambling Therapy provides free online support for people affected by gambling problems — chat, forums and groups, in many languages — wherever you live. Many countries also run national helplines, often listed on the regulator's website. You can reach out for yourself or for someone close to you.
Age: adults only
Online gambling is for adults only: 18+ in most countries, 21+ in some. Age verification is part of registration at licensed operators. If you share a computer or phone with minors, always log out and never save your password in the browser. Operators' terms also list restricted countries from which they do not accept players.
What changes on an unlicensed site
All the tools above assume a licensed operator. On a site outside your regulator's register, national self-exclusion does not reach it, deposit-limit duties do not apply and there is no regulator above the operator. For someone who has self-excluded this is decisive: an unlicensed site will still accept deposits. If you have self-excluded, avoid those sites too — and consider extra layers such as your bank's gambling block.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I get help if gambling stops being fun?
Does self-exclusion cover every casino?
Do casinos have to offer deposit limits?
Why do casinos ask for proof of age?
See also
By Leonor Bettencourt · reviewed October 2026