Responsible Gaming

Every form of gambling carries the risk of financial loss. No outcome is guaranteed, and it is essential to approach betting with a clear understanding of that fact.

Stake encourages all players to take an active role in managing their gambling behaviour. The following principles support a safer and more balanced approach to play:

• Set a budget. Decide in advance how much you are comfortable spending. Never wager money you cannot afford to lose.
• Treat gambling as entertainment. It is not a method to earn income or recover financial losses.
• Use the available control tools. Stake provides deposit limits, loss limits, wagering limits, session time limits, and self-exclusion options.
• Keep track of your time. It is easy to lose track of how long a session lasts. Set a time limit before you begin.
• Avoid chasing losses. Attempting to recover losses through continued betting often leads to greater financial and emotional harm.
• Balance gambling with other activities. A healthy lifestyle includes varied interests and social connections beyond betting.
• Stay informed. Learn about the odds, house edge, and the nature of chance before you play.

These tools and guidelines are designed to help you stay in control and protect your financial and emotional well-being.

Gambling addiction is a serious condition that can develop gradually and affect people from all backgrounds. Early identification is an important step towards getting the right support.

The following indicators may suggest that gambling has become a problem:

• Spending more money on gambling than originally planned, on a regular basis
• Feeling a strong urge to increase the size of bets over time
• Being unable to stop or reduce gambling despite repeated attempts
• Becoming restless, irritable, or anxious when not gambling
• Gambling to escape stress, anxiety, or personal difficulties
• Continuing to gamble in order to recover money that has already been lost
• Concealing gambling activity from family members or close friends
• Neglecting work, studies, or personal responsibilities due to gambling
• Borrowing money or selling possessions to fund gambling
• Experiencing guilt or distress after a gambling session, yet continuing to play

If you recognise several of these signs in your own behaviour, it is advisable to seek professional support. Gambling addiction responds well to timely intervention.

Managing gambling addiction is possible with the right approach and support. The recommendations below can help you take meaningful steps towards healthier betting habits or recovery:

• Acknowledge the problem. Honest self-assessment is the first and most important step. If gambling is affecting your life negatively, it is important to address it without delay.
• Use self-exclusion. Stake offers a self-exclusion feature that temporarily or permanently restricts access to your account. This tool is available through account settings or by contacting support.
• Apply deposit and loss limits. Configure daily, weekly, or monthly limits to keep your spending within a range you are comfortable with.
• Take a cooling-off period. If you feel your gambling is becoming compulsive, use the time-out feature to pause your account for a set period.
• Speak to a trusted person. Sharing your concerns with a family member, friend, or counsellor can provide emotional support and accountability.
• Contact a professional helpline. Trained counsellors are available to assist with gambling-related concerns in a confidential and non-judgmental environment.
• Avoid triggers. Identify situations, emotions, or environments that prompt the urge to gamble, and develop strategies to manage them.
• Block gambling websites. Third-party filtering software can be used to restrict access to betting platforms across all your devices.
• Seek structured therapy. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and other evidence-based approaches have proven effective in addressing compulsive gambling.
• Engage in alternative activities. Channelling time and energy into hobbies, exercise, or social activities can reduce the pull of gambling habits.

Professional help is available if gambling is affecting your well-being or the well-being of someone close to you. The organisations listed below provide confidential guidance and support to those in need:

• iCall (Tata Institute of Social Sciences)
  A psychological support service offering counselling for a range of mental health concerns, including compulsive gambling.
  Website: https://icallhelpline.org
  Helpline: +91-9152987821
• Vandrevala Foundation Helpline
  A 24-hour mental health helpline providing free support and crisis intervention across India.
  Website: https://www.vandrevalafoundation.com
  Helpline: 1860-2662-345 or +91-1800-2333-330
• NIMHANS (National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences)
  A premier institution in Bengaluru offering clinical services and treatment programmes for behavioural addictions.
  Website: https://nimhans.ac.in
• SNEHI
  A mental health organisation providing emotional support and counselling services across India.
  Website: https://snehi.org.in
  Helpline: +91-9582208181
• Gamblers Anonymous India
  A peer support community for individuals who are working to overcome compulsive gambling.
  Website: https://www.gamblersanonymous.org

Reaching out to any of these organisations is a constructive and confidential step towards recovery.

If you are concerned about your gambling habits or need assistance with any responsible gaming tools, the Stake support team is available to help. All requests are handled with discretion and without judgement.

You can reach Stake support through the following channels:

• Live Chat: Available directly on the Stake website. Access it by clicking the chat icon on any page for immediate assistance.
• Email: Send a detailed message to support@Stake. The support team will respond promptly.
• Help Centre: Visit the Stake Help Centre at https://help.Stake for self-service guidance on responsible gaming settings, account controls, and self-exclusion options.

The support team can assist with setting deposit limits, activating self-exclusion, and providing information on additional resources available to you.