Guide
Responsible Gambling: Keeping Play in Proportion
Quick Summary
- Gambling is for adults 18+ only, and only with money you can afford to lose.
- Set a budget and a time limit before you start, not after.
- Chasing losses, keeping play secret and borrowing to bet are all red flags.
- If it stops being fun, take a break, use self-exclusion tools and talk to someone you trust.
- 18+ only
- Official partner site
- Checked 7 Nov 2026
- Know your limit
We love a tense run chase as much as anyone, but nobody enjoys the morning after a match where they bet too much. Responsible gambling is simply about keeping play in proportion: something you choose to spend a little on, like a ticket to the ground, rather than something that eats into the rent. This page covers practical limits, warning signs and where to turn if things feel out of control. It applies to every game and market we write about.
Ground rules
The short answer: adults only, spare money only, and a plan before you start.
- You must be 18 or older. If you are not, please close the site.
- Only play with money left over after bills, food and family needs.
- Decide your budget and time limit before the first spin or ball.
- Never borrow, sell belongings or use savings to gamble.
- Do not gamble to win back losses or to escape a bad day.
Warning signs
Problems rarely arrive all at once. They creep in, like a batting collapse that starts with one loose shot. Be honest with yourself about these signs.
| Sign | What it can look like |
|---|---|
| Chasing | Raising stakes to win back what you lost |
| Secrecy | Hiding play or spending from family |
| Preoccupation | Thinking about betting during work or meals |
| Borrowing | Using loans or other people's money to play |
| Mood | Feeling anxious or irritable when not playing |
Tools that help
Check the account settings on Mostplay for deposit limits, time reminders or a self-exclusion option, and use them early rather than late. On your phone, built-in screen-time controls can restrict how long the app or browser is used; our article on screen-time limits shows how.
A written match-day budget helps too. So does saying no when friends push for one more bet; our piece on peer pressure has some ways to handle that.
Getting support
If gambling is causing worry, stop and talk to someone: a family member, a friend you trust, or your doctor. A doctor can point you towards counselling or mental health services near you. Ask Mostplay support to close or pause your account if you need distance. You do not need to wait for things to get worse before asking for help.