Gambling should be entertainment, not a way of making money or of solving financial problems. At SlothBet we work on a simple principle: an informed player is a protected player.

This page sets out the principles of responsible gambling, the warning signs to watch for, the protective tools that licensed casinos provide and where to find professional help. Gambling is for adults only — you must be at least 18, and in some countries 21.

Five principles that keep gambling under control

The following principles keep gambling within safe limits:

  • Gamble only with money you can afford to lose – never with funds set aside for rent, loan repayments or everyday expenses.
  • Set a budget and a time limit in advance – and stick to both, including on the days when you are winning.
  • Do not chase your losses – chasing is what turns a small loss into a large one.
  • Do not gamble under the influence of alcohol, under stress or in low spirits – your judgement in that state is worse than you think.
  • Treat gambling as paid entertainment – not as a source of income.

When entertainment turns into a problem

Problem gambling rarely arrives overnight. It develops gradually, and the people around a player often notice it before the player does.

Look for help if you recognise any of the following in yourself or in someone close to you:

  • gambling with money meant for everyday expenses, or borrowing in order to gamble,
  • hiding the gambling and lying about the time or money spent on it,
  • being unable to stop despite repeated attempts,
  • neglecting work, family or relationships because of gambling,
  • anxiety, irritability or guilt connected with gambling.

A single one of these signs is reason enough to talk the situation through with someone.

Limits and self-exclusion in practice

Licensed online casinos offer tools that help you stay in control. They cost nothing and you will find them in your account settings:

  • Deposit and stake limits – daily, weekly or monthly.
  • Loss limits and session time limits – a ceiling for a single playing session.
  • Time-out – a short break that closes the account for a few days or weeks.
  • Self-exclusion – a longer or permanent block on the account.

We recommend setting your limits when you register, rather than waiting until gambling starts to get out of hand.

Many regulators also run a national self-exclusion register that covers every licensed operator at once, so a single registration blocks them all. In Great Britain this is GAMSTOP, Germany uses OASIS and Spain the RGIAJ. It is worth checking what the regulator in your own country offers before you set anything up site by site.

Where to get help

Support is available, free of charge and anonymous if you want it to be:

  • Gambling Therapy – free multilingual online support for people anywhere in the world, run by the charity Gordon Moody (gamblingtherapy.org). One-to-one chat, moderated groups and forums.
  • Gamblers Anonymous – free peer support meetings, in person and online, in dozens of countries (gamblersanonymous.org).
  • National Gambling Helpline (Great Britain) – 0808 8020 133, free, 24 hours a day, every day of the year. Operated by GamCare, which also provides free talking therapies across England, Scotland and Wales.
  • Your national helpline – most regulated markets fund a free line of their own. GamCare keeps a list of international support agencies, and your regulator's website will name the service for your country.
  • Your doctor – a general practitioner can refer you to specialist treatment and is a reasonable first step if you would rather speak to someone face to face.

If you feel that gambling is turning into a problem, do not wait. Speak to one of these services.

18+ Gambling can be addictive. Gamble responsibly. Gambling Therapy – free support worldwide

Last updated: 30 July 2026