Responsible gaming

Every bet carries the risk of losing the stake. That is not a flaw in the system, it is the system. Betting works as entertainment only when the money staked was money you were willing to lose.

Decide the limit before you start, not during. Use only money you can afford to lose, and never borrow to bet. A limit set in advance is a decision; a limit set mid-session is a negotiation you will lose.

Cap the time as well as the money, and take breaks. Betting should be an occasional pastime rather than part of the daily routine, and it should never be done while drinking.

Megapari provides deposit limits, stake limits and session time limits. They are in the account settings, they take effect immediately, and they cannot be raised on impulse.

Gambling addiction is a recognised condition, and catching it early matters. The signs below are the ones that tend to appear first.

• The time and money you spend on games keeps growing
• You have tried to stop or cut back and could not
• You feel anxious or irritable when you are not playing
• You keep playing to win back what you lost
• You lie to family and friends about how much you play
• You borrow money or sell things to fund your play
• You neglect work, study or your family
• Playing has caused you money problems
• Thoughts about gambling stop you concentrating on anything else
• You play more to get away from the stress that playing caused

If any of these apply to you, talk to a professional.

It can be prevented and it can be treated. The steps below are practical ones, and each of them can be taken today.

• Set a time limit and a money limit before you start, and keep to them
• Turn on deposit and loss limits in your account settings
• Stop trying to win back what you have lost
• Do not let gambling become the main part of your day
• Run the self-check regularly to review your habits
• Use self-exclusion as soon as you notice a problem
• Be honest with family or friends about where you stand
• Contact a professional counselling service for help
• Find another hobby to take the place of gambling
• Do not play to deal with stress or low mood

Admitting the problem is the first step. Do not try to sort it out alone. Get professional support.

If betting has stopped being entertainment, outside help is available. The organisations below operate internationally and answer from any country, in English, without charge.

• Megapari account tools: deposit limits, time limits and self-exclusion
• A local mental health service: counselling and support where you live
• A doctor or clinic: advice and treatment from qualified specialists
• An addiction support group: regular meetings, in person or online
• A crisis line: someone to talk to at any hour

All of them offer anonymous consultation, and everything said is confidential. Asking for help is not weakness. It is the single most effective thing anyone in this position can do.

Megapari support can help directly. Account limits can be set or a self-exclusion started on request, and the conversation is treated in confidence like any other.

• Live chat: talk to an agent on the site straight away
• Email support, at support@megapari.com, for anything that needs a written record
• Phone support: call the Megapari support line directly
• FAQ section: common questions with answers
• Account settings: self-exclusion and limit tools

Support protects your personal information throughout and will help with whatever is needed. If you are considering getting in touch about this, do it now rather than later.