Start with a clear budget

Before you register anywhere, decide how much money you can comfortably afford to lose in a week or month. This should be money you would also be OK spending on other entertainment, like going out to eat or seeing a concert.

Once you have that figure, split it into smaller pieces. For example, if your monthly entertainment budget for gambling is €100, you might divide it into four €25 sessions. When a session budget is gone, you stop for the day.

Use deposit limits at the casino

Most licensed casinos let you set daily, weekly or monthly deposit limits. This is one of the simplest and most powerful tools you have.

Good practices include:

  • Setting a deposit limit that matches your entertainment budget – and not increasing it on impulse.
  • Choosing a limit that renews on a sensible schedule (weekly or monthly).
  • Accepting that decreases often take effect immediately, while increases can take 24 hours or longer.

Take regular breaks and cool‑off periods

If you notice you are playing longer than planned or getting frustrated, use the site’s time‑out or cool‑off feature. This can log you out and block access for a set period, such as 24 hours or 7 days.

Short breaks are often enough to reset your mindset and stop chasing losses.

Consider self‑exclusion if you are struggling

Every licensed casino must offer a way to self‑exclude. This is a stronger step than a cool‑off: you are blocked from logging in and opening new accounts for a longer period.

In some countries, there are also national self‑exclusion registers that cover many operators at once. If gambling is starting to dominate your thoughts or harm your finances, this is a powerful tool to give yourself a complete break.

Use banking and tech tools as extra protection

Beyond the casino’s own tools, you can:

  • Ask your bank to block gambling transactions on your card if they support it.
  • Install blocking software or filters on your devices to restrict access to gambling sites.
  • Turn off marketing emails, SMS and push notifications so you only play when you choose to.

Watch out for warning signs

You may want to reach out for help if you notice:

  • You are chasing losses or trying to win back what you lost.
  • You are hiding gambling from friends or family.
  • Gambling money was originally meant for bills, savings or essentials.
  • You feel stressed, guilty or anxious after playing.

Free, confidential support is available from helplines, online chat services and support groups such as Gamblers Anonymous. You do not need to wait until things are “really bad” to talk to someone.

Remember: 18+ only. Gambling should always be one of many hobbies in your life, not the centre of it.