Money and time
Using money intended for rent, bills or food; hiding debt; spending much longer than intended.
Independent harm-prevention guide
Responsible Gambling: Recognise Risks and Find Support
Understand gambling harms, protective restrictions and independent help resources. This page contains no gambling promotions or referral links.
This is a Go-Stakes editorial safety resource, not Stake account support. Rules, support options and eligibility vary by location.
Gambling harm can affect anyone
Gambling creates a risk of losing money and can harm relationships, work and wellbeing. The World Health Organization identifies warning signs including reduced control, gambling becoming a higher priority than other activities, and continuing despite negative consequences. You do not need a diagnosis to seek support.
Get help early. If gambling is affecting essential spending, mental health, relationships, or your ability to stop, consider a complete break and contact an independent support service.
Warning signs worth acting on
Loss of control
Chasing losses, making repeated attempts to stop, or feeling compelled to continue.
Health and relationships
Anxiety, sleep difficulties, conflict with others or reduced attention to work and family.
Secrecy and isolation
Concealing betting activity, borrowing to gamble or withdrawing from everyday activities.
Account protections documented by Stake
Stake describes deposit limits, wager limits and loss limits, as well as temporary breaks, product exclusions and full self-exclusion. These tools differ in scope. For example, a deposit limit is not the same as a cap on losses, and excluding only one product category is not a full account exclusion.
| Protection | What it controls | Important distinction |
|---|---|---|
| Deposit limit | Amount deposited over an applicable period | Does not itself limit wagers or losses; increasing/removing limits is subject to a cooling-off period in Stake guidance. |
| Wager limit | Betting amount over a daily, weekly or monthly period | Not the same as a loss limit. |
| Loss limit | Loss amount within a specified period | Useful as a restriction, but does not eliminate gambling-related harm. |
| Break in Play | Temporarily suspends activity | Stake describes 1-day, 1-week and 1-month options. |
| Product exclusion | Restricts casino or sportsbook products | Other product categories may remain accessible. |
| Full self-exclusion | Restricts the full account | Stake describes an indefinite option with a minimum six-month period before any reactivation review. |
Review the self-exclusion guide for an explanation of the full-account process. Confirm the controls available for your actual account with the operator.
Practical steps when concerned
- Stop gambling and avoid attempts to recover losses.
- Consider a full account self-exclusion if you are struggling to stop; limits alone may not be adequate.
- Ask your bank whether gambling-transaction blocks are available and remove easy payment access where helpful.
- Turn off gambling notifications and unsubscribe from promotional messages.
- Speak to a trusted person and contact confidential professional support.
- Check whether your jurisdiction offers a multi-operator exclusion service.
No self-help checklist replaces personal advice from a qualified professional.
Independent support worldwide
Gambling Therapy
Free international online help for people affected by gambling, including family members.
Help in your country
Support services and self-exclusion programmes depend on where you live.
Primary sources and help resources
The links below are informational, not tracked advertising links.