Responsible Gaming

Gambling always involves risk. You can lose money, and there is no guaranteed return. Responsible gaming means treating betting as a form of entertainment, never as financial planning or a source of regular income.

To protect your financial and emotional wellbeing:

• Set a clear budget for gambling and use deposit or spend limits to support that budget.
• Use time limits to control how long you stay logged in and playing.
• Only gamble money you can afford to lose, after covering rent, food, education, family needs, and savings.
• Avoid chasing losses or increasing bet size to recover money you lost.
• Take regular breaks so that you can think calmly and keep control over your decisions.
• Keep gambling separate from work, studies, and family responsibilities.
• Do not gamble when you are under the influence of alcohol, substances, or strong emotions like anger or sadness.
• Talk openly about your gambling habits with someone you trust so that any risky behaviour is noticed early.

Stake provides tools to help you set limits, monitor your activity, and pause or stop play when needed. Using these tools early is a useful way to protect yourself from harm and keep betting safe.

Betting addiction can develop gradually and may be difficult to notice at first. It is important to know the warning signs so that you can take action early. Gambling addiction is a serious condition that requires attention and proper support.

Common indicators that someone may have a gambling problem include:

• Thinking about gambling most of the time, including during work, study, or family time.
• Needing to bet larger amounts to feel the same excitement or satisfaction.
• Struggling to stop or cut down gambling, even after deciding to reduce or quit.
• Chasing losses by placing more bets to try and recover money already lost.
• Hiding betting activity or lying to family and friends about the time or money spent.
• Using loans, credit cards, or borrowing from friends and family to continue gambling.
• Ignoring bills, rent, education fees, or other important expenses because of gambling.
• Feeling restless, irritable, or low in mood when not gambling or when trying to reduce play.
• Using gambling as a way to escape stress, loneliness, anxiety, or personal problems.
• Relationship conflicts, work or college issues, or legal and financial trouble linked to betting.

If you recognise several of these signs in yourself or someone close to you, seeking help early can reduce harm and support recovery.

Addressing betting addiction requires honest reflection, practical steps, and often external support. No one has to manage this alone, and early action can limit financial and emotional harm.

You can consider the following practical steps:

• Set strict deposit, loss, and session limits on your account and lower them if you feel at risk.
• Use self-exclusion or account suspension options for a cooling-off period or a longer break.
• Remove saved payment methods and keep gambling funds separate from your main bank account.
• Keep a written record of gambling spends and wins to understand the real impact on your budget.
• Plan your week to include other activities such as exercise, hobbies, social time, or volunteering.
• Avoid using gambling apps or websites when you are alone for long periods or feeling stressed.
• Share your concerns with a trusted friend or family member and ask them to help monitor your play.
• Seek professional counselling or helpline support for addiction so that you receive expert guidance.
• Block gambling platforms on your devices through blocking software or device-level restrictions.
• Learn about the psychology of gambling, including odds and house edge, to reduce unrealistic expectations.

Stake encourages players in India to use these tools and tips early, before a pattern of addiction develops.

If you feel that gambling is no longer under your control, professional help can provide structure, support, and practical strategies. Talking to trained counsellors is confidential and can be an important step in protecting your health and finances.

Main external support and help resources in India include:

• National Helpline for Mental Health (Tele-MANAS): 14416 or 1-800-891-4416 – government mental health support that can guide you to local services.
• iCALL (TISS) – Emotional and mental health support: https://icallhelpline.org – offers phone and email counselling for stress, anxiety, and addictive behaviours.
• Fortis National Helpline for Mental Health: +91 83768 04102 – assistance from mental health professionals on many issues, including addictive habits.
• Local psychiatrists and clinical psychologists – you can search through platforms such as the Indian Psychiatric Society directory: https://indianpsychiatricsociety.org.
• De-addiction and rehabilitation centres in your state – information often available through your state health department or local hospitals.

Support from these organisations can be combined with the self-control tools provided on the platform to manage or stop gambling-related harm.

If you are worried about your gambling behaviour or feel that you may be developing addiction, Stake customer support can assist you in understanding and using responsible gaming tools.

You can contact support in India through:

• Live chat support available on the Stake website or app for real-time assistance.
• Email support through the official support email address mentioned in the help section of the site.
• In-platform help centre, where you can raise tickets and request account reviews or limits.

Support staff can help you apply limits, self-exclude, or locate further resources for professional help.