Set limits before you play
- Use a fixed entertainment budget only.
- Set a time limit and stop when it ends.
- Do not borrow money to play.
- Do not chase losses after a losing round.
- Use account limits, cool-off or self-exclusion tools if available.
Warning signs
Take a break and seek support if gambling causes stress, debt, secrecy, conflict, missed work or repeated attempts to recover losses.
Stop-now checklist
- You are thinking about borrowing money to continue.
- You are hiding play from family or friends.
- You are playing to fix a previous loss.
- You are ignoring bills, work, study or sleep.
- You feel anxious, angry or unable to stop.
Self-exclusion and cooling off
If a platform offers limits, cool-off periods or self-exclusion, use them before a session becomes stressful. If a platform does not offer these tools, treat that as a warning sign and do not continue with money involved.
Family and financial safety
Do not use shared household funds, loan money, credit cards, rent, fees, medical funds or business cash for gambling. If you already used essential funds, stop and ask for help from a trusted person or professional service.
Help resources
For professional support in India, consider contacting a qualified mental-health provider. The Centre for Addiction Medicine at NIMHANS provides addiction-related clinical services and information.