Responsible Gambling

What Is Responsible Gambling?

Responsible gambling means enjoying casino games in a controlled way that does not negatively impact your finances, mental health, work, studies, or relationships. Gambling always involves risk: you can lose the money you stake, and the odds are designed in favour of the house.

At The Player Lounge, we do not operate an online casino or accept deposits. We provide information and reviews about third-party gambling sites. It is your responsibility to ensure that you gamble legally in your country or region and within your personal limits.

Key Principles of Responsible Gambling

• 18+ Only: Gambling is strictly for adults. Never allow anyone under the legal age to access gambling websites or apps.
• Entertainment, Not Income: Treat gambling as a form of paid entertainment, not a source of income or a solution to financial problems.
• Set Clear Limits: Decide on your budget and time limit before you start playing and stick to those limits.
• Accept Losses: Only gamble money you can afford to lose. Never chase losses or try to win back what you lost.
• Protect Yourself: Use the tools offered by casinos (deposit limits, reality checks, time-outs, self-exclusion).
• Take Breaks: Regular breaks help you stay in control and make clearer decisions.
• Ask for Help: If gambling stops being fun or you feel out of control, seek professional support as soon as possible.

Warning Signs of Problem Gambling

If you recognise any of the signs below in yourself or someone close to you, it may indicate a gambling problem:

• Gambling with money that should be used for bills, rent, food, or other essentials.
• Borrowing money or using credit to gamble.
• Chasing losses and increasing stakes to try to win back money.
• Lying to family or friends about gambling habits or the amount of money lost.
• Feeling anxious, irritable, or depressed when not gambling.
• Neglecting work, studies, or relationships because of gambling.
• Using gambling as an escape from stress, loneliness, or other emotional difficulties.

If you notice several of these behaviours, consider taking a break immediately and reaching out to a professional support organisation.

How to Stay in Control

Here are some practical steps to help you keep gambling under control:

• Set a money limit: Decide how much you can comfortably afford to lose in a week or month and never exceed that amount.
• Use deposit limits: Many casinos allow you to set daily, weekly, or monthly deposit limits directly in your account settings.
• Set time limits: Decide in advance how long you will play and stick to it. Use alarms or reality checks when available.
• Don’t gamble when upset: Avoid gambling when you are stressed, tired, angry, or under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
• Keep gambling and finances separate: Have a dedicated entertainment budget and avoid dipping into savings or credit lines.
• Balance with other activities: Make sure gambling is only a small part of your leisure time and not your main hobby.

Tools & Account Controls

Most licensed online casinos offer responsible gambling tools to help you manage your activity.

• Deposit limits: Restrict how much you can deposit over a chosen period.
• Loss limits: Set a maximum amount you are willing to lose.
• Session limits / Reality checks: Get reminders about your playtime.
• Time-out / Cooling-off: Temporarily block access to your account.
• Self-exclusion: Block access for 6–12 months or longer.

If you are concerned about your gambling, we strongly recommend using these tools immediately.

Underage Gambling

Gambling is strictly prohibited for anyone under the legal age. To prevent minors from accessing gambling content:

• Do not share gambling accounts or passwords.
• Use parental control tools on shared devices.
• Log out of gambling websites when not using them.
• Keep payment details secure.

Where to Get Help

If gambling is causing harm, please reach out for professional support. Here are some trusted organisations:

• GamCare – www.gamcare.org.uk
• Gambling Therapy – www.gamblingtherapy.org
• BeGambleAware – www.begambleaware.org
• Gamblers Anonymous – www.gamblersanonymous.org

Our Position as The Player Lounge

The Player Lounge is an independent casino comparison website. We do not operate gambling services or handle deposits.

While we only promote licensed casinos, we cannot guarantee that third-party operators always act responsibly. Please check local gambling laws and casino terms before playing.