Responsible Gambling - Play Smart, Stay in Control

Gambling should be entertaining, not stressful. At Coolbet Canada, we're committed to promoting responsible gaming practices and providing tools to help you maintain control of your gambling activities.

Whether you're a casual player or a serious bettor, it's important to set limits, recognize warning signs, and know when to take a break. This page provides resources, tools, and information to keep gaming fun and safe 🛡️

What Is Responsible Gambling?

Responsible gambling means enjoying betting and gaming as entertainment while staying in control of:

• How much money you spend
• How much time you spend gambling
• How gambling affects your life, relationships, and well-being

The vast majority of people gamble responsibly and never experience problems. But for some, gambling can become more than entertainment. Recognizing the difference and taking action early is crucial.

Guidelines for Healthy Gambling

Follow these principles to keep gambling enjoyable:

✓ Set a Budget and Stick to It

Only gamble with money you can afford to lose. Never use funds meant for rent, bills, food, or other essentials. Set a monthly gambling budget and don't exceed it, even if you're on a losing streak.

✓ Set Time Limits

Decide in advance how long you'll play and stick to that timeframe. Use alarms or reminders if needed. Don't let gambling consume hours that should be spent on work, family, or other activities.

✓ Take Regular Breaks

Step away periodically, even when winning. Continuous gambling leads to fatigue and poor decision-making. Take breaks to clear your head and maintain perspective.

✓ Don't Chase Losses

Losing is part of gambling. Trying to "win back" losses by betting more almost always makes things worse. Accept losses as the cost of entertainment and move on.

✓ Never Gamble Under the Influence

Alcohol and drugs impair judgment. Make betting decisions with a clear mind, not when your judgment is compromised.

✓ Balance Gambling with Other Activities

Gambling should be one of many leisure activities, not your only hobby. Maintain other interests, social connections, and responsibilities.

✗ Don't Gamble When Upset or Depressed

Using gambling to escape problems or negative emotions is a warning sign. Find healthier coping mechanisms like talking to friends, exercise, or professional support.

✗ Don't Borrow Money to Gamble

If you need to borrow money to fund gambling, that's a serious red flag. Only gamble with your own disposable income.

Warning Signs of Problem Gambling

Be honest with yourself. Do any of these apply to you?

• Spending more money or time gambling than you intended
• Lying to family or friends about your gambling activities
• Gambling with money needed for bills or essentials
• Feeling anxious, irritable, or restless when not gambling
• Chasing losses repeatedly instead of accepting them
• Neglecting work, school, or family responsibilities due to gambling
• Borrowing money to fund gambling
• Using gambling as an escape from problems or stress
• Thinking about gambling constantly
• Feeling guilt, shame, or remorse about gambling
• Unsuccessful attempts to cut back or stop

If several of these sound familiar, it's time to take action. The good news is help is available, and problems are easier to address early.

Coolbet's Responsible Gaming Tools

We provide multiple tools to help you stay in control. Access these through your account settings:

💰 Deposit Limits

Set daily, weekly, or monthly limits on how much you can deposit. Once set, limits take effect immediately and can only be increased after a 24-hour cooling-off period. Decreases take effect instantly.

⏰ Session Time Limits

Set maximum session lengths. When your time limit is reached, you'll be automatically logged out. This helps prevent marathon gambling sessions that lead to fatigue and poor decisions.

🔔 Reality Check

Get periodic pop-up reminders showing how long you've been playing and your wins/losses for the session. These reality checks help you stay aware of time and money spent.

❄️ Cool-Off Period

Take a temporary break from gambling. You can set cool-off periods from 24 hours up to 6 weeks. During this time, you won't be able to log in, deposit, or play.

🚫 Self-Exclusion

Permanently close your Coolbet account if you need a long-term break. Self-exclusion can be set for 6 months, 1 year, 5 years, or permanently. This is the strongest tool available and should be used if gambling is causing serious problems.

How to activate these tools: Log into your account → Settings → Responsible Gaming → Choose your preferred limits and controls

Preventing Underage Gambling

Coolbet is strictly for adults 18 years and older. We take multiple measures to prevent underage gambling:

• Age verification during registration
• Document verification before first withdrawal
• Monitoring for suspicious activity indicating underage access
• Immediate account closure if underage gambling is detected

For Parents

If you're concerned about minors accessing online gambling:

• Use parental control software to block gambling sites
• Monitor your children's internet usage
• Educate them about gambling risks
• Keep payment information and devices secure

Recommended parental control tools: Net Nanny, Norton Family, Qustodio, or built-in OS parental controls.

Getting Help - You're Not Alone

If gambling is causing problems in your life, professional help is available. These organizations provide free, confidential support:

Canadian Resources

International Resources

• Gambling Therapy: gamblingtherapy.org - Free online support and counseling
• GamCare: gamcare.org.uk - UK-based support available globally
• BeGambleAware: begambleaware.org - Information and self-assessment tools

Remember: Seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness. These services are confidential, non-judgmental, and designed to help you regain control.

Self-Assessment - Check Your Gambling

Answer these questions honestly to evaluate your relationship with gambling:

1. Do you spend more time or money gambling than you plan to?
2. Have you borrowed money to gamble or pay gambling debts?
3. Do you feel guilty or anxious about your gambling?
4. Has gambling caused arguments with family or friends?
5. Do you think about gambling constantly?
6. Have you tried to cut back but couldn't?
7. Do you gamble to escape problems or stress?
8. Have you lied about how much you gamble?
9. Has gambling affected your work or responsibilities?
10. Do you need to gamble with increasing amounts to feel excitement?

If you answered "yes" to several questions, you may be developing or already experiencing gambling problems. Consider using Coolbet's responsible gaming tools or contacting one of the support organizations listed above.

For a more comprehensive assessment, visit gamblingtherapy.org for their detailed self-assessment questionnaire.

How to Help Someone with a Gambling Problem

If you're concerned about a friend or family member's gambling:

✓ Do:

• Express your concern in a caring, non-judgmental way
• Listen without criticizing or lecturing
• Provide information about support resources
• Encourage them to seek professional help
• Offer to go with them to counseling or support meetings
• Be patient - recovery takes time

✗ Don't:

• Preach, lecture, or act superior
• Lose your temper or make threats
• Lend them money or pay their gambling debts
• Cover up or make excuses for their behavior
• Expect instant change or quick fixes

Support organizations like Gam-Anon (gam-anon.org) provide resources specifically for friends and family of problem gamblers.

Coolbet's Commitment to Responsible Gaming

We take our responsibility seriously. Beyond providing tools and resources, Coolbet:

• Trains staff to identify and assist players showing problem gambling signs
• Monitors gameplay patterns for concerning behavior
• Proactively reaches out to players who may need support
• Never targets vulnerable individuals with marketing
• Supports responsible gaming research and education
• Complies with all regulations designed to protect players

Our goal is sustainable, enjoyable gaming - not maximizing revenue at players' expense. If you ever need help, we're here to support you.

Contact Us About Responsible Gaming

If you need help activating responsible gaming tools, have questions about self-exclusion, or want to discuss concerns about your gambling:

Email: [email protected]
Subject Line: Responsible Gaming
Live Chat: Available 24/7 on coolbetcanada.com

All conversations are treated confidentially. We're here to help, not judge.