❓ Can I recover my losses?

No. Losses are part of gambling. Focus on healthy limits and on the idea that gambling is entertainment, not income.

❓ Is self-exclusion reversible?

It depends on jurisdiction and operator. Some exclusion periods are non-reversible until expiry. Read the conditions carefully before confirming.

❓ What if I have gambling-related debts?

Speak quickly with a financial adviser or local social service, set up a realistic repayment plan, and activate self-exclusion. Asking for help early prevents escalation.

Responsible Gambling - play for fun, within your limits

At ChampsBase, we believe gambling should always be fun, safe, and within your limits.
Whether you enjoy sports betting or casino games, staying in control is essential for your wellbeing. This guide explains how to set healthy limits, spot warning signs, and find reliable support when needed, helping you keep gambling as entertainment rather than a source of stress.

Sports betting and casino games are YMYL (“Your Money or Your Life”) topics: they can impact your finances and your wellbeing. Gambling should remain a leisure activity, never a money-making strategy.

Always check the legal age and local laws in your country. At ChampsBase, we promote responsible gambling 1000% with practical tools to help you stay in control.

The basics to know

Before betting, set a few simple guardrails:

Legal age: make sure you meet the legal age requirement and comply with local regulations. ChampsBase is international: for your country’s specifics, check our country pages from the hub (country list with laws and useful contacts).
Leisure budget: only gamble with money reserved for entertainment. Tip: set a fixed monthly cap (e.g. 2–3% of your budget) and keep a betting log to track spending.
Variance and risk: losses are part of the game and wins are never guaranteed. Even with good analysis, variance can hit hard: accept it and protect your bankroll.

Setting limits

Good reflexes from day one:

Deposit / time / loss limits: enable the operator’s limits (daily / weekly / monthly). Choose conservative values, then adjust only after a few stable weeks.
Time-out and self-exclusion: if the urge gets too strong, request a time-out (temporary pause) or self-exclusion (longer block). Note the durations and reactivation rules before confirming.
Reality checks and scheduled breaks: activate session reminders (e.g. every 30 minutes) and plan breaks. Taking a breath and checking your state prevents many impulsive decisions.

Recognizing warning signs

If you hide your play, chase losses, gamble longer than planned, raise stakes to “win it back,” borrow money, or if gambling affects your work, studies or relationships - it’s time to hit pause.

Talk to someone you trust and seek support. Asking for help is a strength, not a weakness.

Help and support

Looking for concrete, fast, non-judgmental help? The services below are free (or local call cost), confidential, and often available 24/7.

For contacts tailored to your situation, open your country page from the hub: we list helplines, anonymous chats and up-to-date public services near you.
One call, one message - you’ll be listened to and guided, without pressure.

United Kingdom & Ireland

BeGambleAware (advice + live chat): begambleaware.org - 0808 8020 133
GamCare (counselling & support): gamcare.org.uk - 0808 8020 133

Canada (provincial examples)

Ontario: ConnexOntario - 1-866-531-2600 (phone, chat, text)
Québec: Aidejeu.ca (resources & referrals)
British Columbia: BC Gambling Support Line - 1-888-795-6111 (24/7)
Alberta: Addiction Helpline - 1-866-332-2322 (24/7)

Australia

Gambling Help Online: gamblinghelponline.org.au - 1800 858 858 (24/7 phone & chat)

New Zealand

Gambling Helpline NZ: 0800 654 655 (phone), text support also available

South Africa

South African Responsible Gambling Foundation (SARGF): 0800 006 008 (24/7)
National Responsible Gambling Programme: 076 675 0710

Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Uganda

Where no national helpline is published:

Gambling Therapy - free global online support (24/7 live chat, forums, multilingual resources): gamblingtherapy.org
Gamblers Anonymous - peer-support groups where available
Local mental-health / addiction services (see our country pages for updated contacts)

India, Malaysia, UAE (and other regions without a national helpline)

Use Gambling Therapy (online 24/7).
Where available, seek local addiction services or peer-support groups (Gamblers Anonymous).

In case of immediate distress, call your country’s emergency services.

Practical tools

Small hacks that make a big difference. These tools help you keep control of your time, budget and impulses - without turning gambling into a burden.

Blockers and parental controls: install a site/app blocker or use built-in tools on your phone: Screen Time (iOS) and Family Link (Android). Set no-play hours, daily usage caps, and if possible, give a trusted person the restriction code.
Tip: also create an “allowed sites” list to avoid workarounds.
Loop in a close person: tell a trusted friend or relative your limits (budget, time, losses) and arrange a weekly 5-minute check-in. This buddy check often calms impulses and helps you stick to your plan.
The 24-hour rule: no hot-headed decisions. If a bet obsesses you, wait 24 hours. Set a reminder, do something else (walk, shower, call a friend). In most cases the urge fades; if it doesn’t, take a longer break and review your limits.

Need help or a local contact? Write to us via the Contact page - we reply within 24 hours and direct you to the right resource.