Responsible Gaming

Gambling always carries the risk of financial loss. No strategy or system can guarantee consistent winnings. Approaching gambling as a form of entertainment, rather than a source of income, is essential for maintaining financial and emotional wellbeing.

Stake provides players with practical tools to stay in control of their gambling behaviour. These tools are designed to support healthy habits and prevent gambling from negatively affecting daily life. Key Principles to Follow:

• Set a fixed budget before playing and do not exceed it;
• Treat any losses as the cost of entertainment, not as money to recover;
• Take regular breaks to maintain a clear perspective;
• Never gamble under the influence of alcohol or when emotionally distressed;
• Keep gambling separate from personal finances, such as savings or bill payments;
• Use the account controls available on the platform to enforce personal limits;
• Monitor the time and money spent on gambling on a regular basis.

Gambling addiction can develop gradually and may not be immediately apparent. Recognising the warning signs early is an important step toward getting the right support.

The following indicators may suggest that gambling has become a problem:

• Spending more money on gambling than originally intended;
• Feeling restless or irritable when attempting to reduce or stop gambling;
• Returning to gambling after a loss in an attempt to recover lost funds;
• Lying to family members or close friends about gambling activity;
• Neglecting work, studies, or personal responsibilities due to gambling;
• Borrowing money or selling belongings to fund gambling;
• Experiencing persistent thoughts about gambling throughout the day;
• Using gambling as a way to escape stress, anxiety, or personal problems;
• Failed repeated attempts to cut back or stop gambling;
• Continuing to gamble despite serious financial or personal consequences.

Gambling addiction is a recognised condition that requires attention and, in many cases, professional support. Acknowledging these signs is the first step toward regaining control.

Addressing a gambling problem requires consistent effort and access to the right tools. Stake offers several built-in account controls that players can use to manage their gambling behaviour and reduce the risk of addiction developing further.

The following steps are recommended for players seeking to regain control:

• Set deposit limits within the account settings to cap the amount of money added within a given period;
• Use session time limits to restrict the duration of each gambling session;
• Enable loss limits to prevent spending beyond a defined threshold;
• Activate a self-exclusion period to temporarily or permanently suspend access to the account;
• Request a cooling-off period to pause gambling activity without full account closure;
• Speak openly with a trusted friend or family member about gambling concerns;
• Avoid visiting gambling platforms during periods of emotional stress or financial pressure;
• Remove saved payment methods from the account to introduce a deliberate pause before depositing;
• Seek guidance from a qualified mental health professional experienced in behavioural addiction;
• Contact Stake customer support to discuss available responsible gaming options.

Professional help is available for anyone in India affected by gambling addiction. Several organisations offer confidential guidance, counselling, and crisis support.

The following resources can be contacted for assistance:

• iCall (Tata Institute of Social Sciences): A mental health support helpline staffed by trained psychologists; available at icallhelpline.org or by calling 9152987821;
• Vandrevala Foundation Helpline: A 24/7 mental health helpline providing support for addiction and psychological distress; available at vandrevalafoundation.com or by calling 1860-2662-345;
• NIMHANS (National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences): A government institution in Bengaluru providing psychiatric and addiction treatment services; available at nimhans.ac.in;
• Alcoholics Anonymous India (with Gamblers Anonymous resources): Peer support groups available across major Indian cities; contact details available at aaindia.org;
• Parivarthan Counselling, Training and Research Centre: Offers counselling services and a helpline for individuals experiencing mental health and behavioural concerns; available at parivarthan.org or by calling 76766 02602.

Players who are concerned about their gambling behaviour can reach out to Stake support at any time. The support team is available to assist with responsible gaming tools, account restrictions, and self-exclusion requests.

The following channels are available to contact Stake:

• Live Chat: Available directly on the Stake app and website for immediate assistance;
• Email Support: Players can submit detailed requests or concerns via the official support email;
• Help Centre: A comprehensive library of articles covering responsible gaming tools and account controls, accessible at stake.com/help;
• In-Account Settings: Players can independently apply deposit limits, session limits, and self-exclusion options directly from their account dashboard.