Real-money games are entertainment, not income. This page exists so you can keep it that way — and so you know exactly where to get help if it stops being fun.
1. The golden rules
- Only play with money you can lose without affecting your life.
- Decide your budget and session length before you open the app.
- Never borrow money, use credit, or dip into savings to play.
- Never chase a loss. Chasing is how a small loss becomes a large one.
- Never play while drunk, sleep-deprived, angry or distressed.
- Withdraw winnings instead of rolling them into the next round.
2. Set hard limits
A deposit limit is the strongest safeguard because it caps damage regardless of how the session goes. Add a time limit with a phone alarm — short rounds destroy your sense of time. Add a loss limit, and treat reaching it as the end of the session, not a reason to top up. Where the platform offers built-in limit tools, switch them on the day you register, while you are calm.
3. Warning signs
- Playing longer or spending more than you intended, repeatedly.
- Hiding your play, or lying about how much you have lost.
- Borrowing, selling things, or using bill money to keep playing.
- Feeling restless, irritable or anxious when you cannot play.
- Believing a big win will fix your finances.
- Neglecting work, study, sleep or family because of play.
If two or more of these describe you, treat it seriously. Problem gambling is a recognised health issue, it responds well to help, and there is nothing shameful about asking for it.
4. Take a break or self-exclude
Most platforms offer a cooling-off period or account self-exclusion through support. Use it. Reinforce it by deleting the app, removing saved payment methods and UPI mandates, installing a gambling-site blocker on your phone, and asking someone you trust to hold visibility over your bank account for a while.
5. Free help in India
- Tele-MANAS (Government of India mental health helpline): 14416 or 1800-891-4416 — free, 24×7, multiple languages.
- KIRAN Mental Health Helpline: 1800-599-0019 — free, 24×7.
- Gamblers Anonymous India: local meetings and online groups via the Gamblers Anonymous website.
- NIMHANS SHUT Clinic, Bengaluru: specialist support for technology and gaming addiction.
In an emergency, or if you have thoughts of harming yourself, contact local emergency services immediately.
6. Protecting minors
Gaming platforms are strictly for adults aged 18 and over. Keep devices password-protected, never save payment credentials where a child can reach them, and consider parental-control software on shared phones.