Five rules worth keeping
- 18+ only. No one under 18 should gamble, and accounts must never be shared with minors.
- Know the rules where you live. India restricts real-money online games through a 2025 national law and several state laws; an offshore licence does not override them.
- Fixed budget. Decide what you can afford to spend before you start, and treat it as spent.
- Stop after a loss. Chasing losses is the most common way small losses become serious ones.
- Entertainment, not earnings. No strategy, signal or pattern turns casino games into income.
Use limits, not willpower
It is easier to stick to a decision made in advance. Set your limits before you log in – Pin-Up offers deposit limits and self-exclusion, and support can add further restrictions.
| Tool | What it does | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
| Deposit limit | Caps how much you can add per day, week or month | Always – set it when you open the account |
| Loss limit | A personal stop point for each session | Before every session, especially fast games |
| Session timer | A phone alarm or reminder to take a break | Crash games, live betting, long slot sessions |
| Cooling-off | A short break during which you cannot play | After a bad run or when you feel frustrated |
| Self-exclusion | Blocks access for a longer, fixed period | When limits are no longer enough |
Taking a proper break
If limits are not enough, ask Pin-Up support to self-exclude you for a fixed period and do not open accounts elsewhere in the meantime. Device-level blocking software and your bank's controls on gambling payments, where offered, add another layer.
During a break, remove casino apps and bookmarks from your devices so there is no one-tap way back in.
Protecting children
Never let anyone under 18 use your account or payment details. Use parental controls on shared phones and computers, and log out after every session.
Warning signs
Gambling harm tends to build up gradually. These are common signs that it is time to pause:
- Spending more time or money than you planned, again and again
- Increasing stakes to feel the same excitement or to recover losses
- Borrowing money, using credit or selling things to keep playing
- Hiding gambling from family or lying about how much you spend
- Feeling anxious, irritable or low when you are not playing
- Neglecting work, study, sleep or relationships
Questions to ask yourself
There is no score here – but a single honest yes is reason enough to slow down.
- Do I gamble with money meant for something else?
- Do I think about gambling when I should be doing other things?
- Have I hidden how much I play from people close to me?
- Do I feel restless when I try to stop?
Support is available
You do not have to deal with it alone. A trusted friend, family member, doctor or counsellor is a good first step, and Gambling Therapy provides free and confidential help online.
For account-level tools, see our contact page for how to reach Pin-Up support safely.