Understanding games responsibly

Our position

Knowing the rules and odds of a game makes it more enjoyable and less mysterious. It does not make it profitable. Every casino game carries a built-in house edge, which means the expected long-run result of playing is a loss. Anyone who tells you otherwise is selling something.

Signs that gambling has stopped being a game

• Spending more money or time than you planned, repeatedly.
• Chasing losses — wagering to win back what you've already lost.
• Borrowing money, selling things, or using bills money to play.
• Hiding how much you play from family or friends.
• Feeling restless, irritable or anxious when you try to cut back.
• Gambling to escape stress, loneliness or low mood.
• Missing work, study or family commitments because of play.

Practical limits that work

• Decide a budget before you start and treat it as the price of the entertainment.
• Set a time limit as well as a money limit — fast games cost more per hour.
• Never use credit, and leave cards at home if that helps.
• Take regular breaks; step away entirely after a big win or a big loss.
• Don't play when you are upset, tired, or drinking.
• Use operator tools such as deposit limits, reality checks and self-exclusion.

Age restrictions

Legal gambling ages vary. In most US states the minimum is 21 for casino play and 18 for lotteries and some card rooms; elsewhere 18 is common. This site is intended for adults of legal age in their own jurisdiction. Check your local rules before playing anywhere.

For the maths behind why the house always has an edge, read our house edge explainer.