Responsible Gambling at Felixspin

Gambling should be treated exclusively as a form of entertainment. It is not a reliable way to earn a regular income, solve financial problems or recover previously lost money.

Responsible gambling begins with consciously controlling the amount of time and money spent. Before placing the first bet, every player should decide how much money they can afford to lose and how long each gambling session may last.

A break should be taken as soon as gambling begins to affect daily life, personal finances or relationships. Deposit limits, temporary breaks, self-exclusion and independent professional support can help users regain control.

Basic Rules for Safer Gambling

The following rules can help keep gambling a leisure activity and reduce unnecessary risks:

• Gamble only with money you can afford to lose.
• Never use money intended for rent, food, bills or other essential expenses.
• Do not treat gambling as a profession, investment or source of income.
• Do not increase your bets in an attempt to recover losses.
• Set clear spending and time limits before every gambling session.
• Take regular breaks and monitor the length of each session.
• Do not gamble while under the influence of alcohol, drugs or medication that may affect your judgement.
• Avoid gambling when you are tired, stressed, angry or feeling low.
• Review your transaction and gambling history regularly.
• Stop playing when gambling is no longer enjoyable.

Gambling Is Not a Reliable Source of Income

The outcome of a gambling activity is always uncertain. Previous results do not automatically affect the probability of the next result.

A long sequence of wins or losses does not guarantee what will happen in the following round. Believing that a win must occur after several losses can lead to poor decisions and increasingly high bets.

Losses should never be treated as an unpaid balance that must be recovered through further gambling. Every bet is a new decision with a new risk of loss.

How Can Problem Gambling Be Recognised?

Gambling problems often develop gradually. The first warning signs may be difficult to identify and are not always directly related to the amount of money spent.

Problem gambling may also cause stress, secrecy, social isolation, difficulty concentrating and conflict with family members or friends.

Possible Warning Signs

• You spend a large part of the day thinking about gambling.
• You gamble more frequently or for longer than originally planned.
• You increase your bets to experience greater excitement.
• You regularly try to recover previous losses.
• You hide your gambling activity from family or friends.
• You borrow money in order to continue gambling.
• You use money intended for essential expenses.
• You neglect work, education, family or other responsibilities.
• You become restless or irritable when you cannot gamble.
• You gamble to escape stress, personal problems or unpleasant emotions.
• You have unsuccessfully tried to reduce or stop gambling.
• Other people have expressed concern about your gambling behaviour.

Self-Assessment of Gambling Behaviour

The following questions can help you evaluate your gambling habits more objectively:

1. Have you neglected personal or social responsibilities in order to gamble?
2. Do you use gambling as a way to escape everyday life or personal problems?
3. Does losing money make you want to gamble again immediately?
4. Have you gambled money intended for bills, rent or food?
5. Do you feel that you gamble more often or for longer than is healthy?
6. Have relatives or friends criticised your gambling behaviour?
7. Have you lied about money or hidden your gambling losses?
8. Do you regularly lose track of time while gambling?
9. Do you choose gambling instead of spending time with family or friends?
10. Does gambling cause stress, guilt or unhappiness?

Several positive answers may indicate an increased risk. A detailed and anonymous self-assessment is available through Check dein Spiel.

Deposit Limits as a Control Tool

Deposit limits help users control their spending before gambling begins. Depending on the available account settings, daily, weekly or monthly limits may be applied.

Limits should be based only on the amount that can be lost without affecting essential expenses or financial obligations.

The relevant controls are available in the user account under the responsible gambling section.

Overview of Limit Periods

Limit	Period	How It Works
Daily limit	24 hours	Includes all deposits made during the previous 24 hours.
Weekly limit	168 hours	Includes all deposits made during the previous seven days.
Monthly limit	720 hours	Includes all deposits made during the previous 30 days.

Daily Deposit Limit

A daily limit applies over a rolling period of 24 hours. Deposits already made during that period are included in the calculation.

For example, if 20 EUR has already been deposited during the previous 24 hours and a daily limit of 20 EUR is then selected, no additional deposit can be made until the relevant period has passed.

If 10 EUR has already been deposited and the new daily limit is 20 EUR, no more than an additional 10 EUR may be deposited during the current period.

Weekly Deposit Limit

A weekly limit applies over a rolling period of 168 hours. All deposits made during the previous seven days are included.

If 20 EUR has already been deposited during this period and a weekly limit of 20 EUR is then selected, no further deposits can be made until the relevant period expires.

Where a daily limit is also active, both restrictions must be respected. A daily limit of 10 EUR and a weekly limit of 20 EUR would, for example, allow two daily deposits of 10 EUR, provided the weekly maximum is not exceeded.

Monthly Deposit Limit

A monthly limit applies over a rolling period of 720 hours. Deposits made during the previous 30 days are counted towards the new limit.

If 20 EUR has already been deposited during this period and the monthly limit is set at 50 EUR, a maximum of 30 EUR may still be deposited before the current period expires.

Where several limits are active at the same time, the limit reached first will apply.

Changing an Existing Limit

A reduction of a deposit limit should take effect immediately. This allows users to restrict their spending without an additional waiting period.

An increase or complete removal of a limit takes effect only after a 24-hour waiting period. This cooling-off period is intended to prevent impulsive decisions and provide time to reconsider the requested change.

Anyone who has doubts during the waiting period should avoid confirming the increase and keep the lower existing limit.

Other Useful Restrictions

Deposit limits are only one way to manage gambling behaviour. Depending on the available account features, additional restrictions may include:

• wagering limits for a defined period;
• loss limits;
• time limits for gambling sessions;
• session-duration reminders;
• temporary account breaks;
• permanent self-exclusion.

Using several limits together often provides stronger protection than relying on a single restriction.

Reviewing Gambling Activity

The account and transaction history shows how frequently the user has gambled, how long sessions lasted and how much money was deposited, wagered, won or lost.

This information should be reviewed regularly. An objective assessment is particularly important when actual spending is higher than the amount the user believes they have spent.

Practical Monthly Review

1. Record the total value of all deposits.
2. Compare deposits with withdrawals.
3. Calculate the actual net loss.
4. Review the number and duration of gambling sessions.
5. Compare the results with the original budget.
6. Reduce your limits if they are regularly reached.

Temporary Gambling Breaks

A temporary break may be useful when gambling takes up too much time or begins to influence emotional decision-making.

During the break, users should not attempt to continue gambling through other accounts, operators or devices. The purpose of the break is to create distance and review personal behaviour without immediate gambling pressure.

Use the available responsible gambling settings or the customer support options provided inside the account to request a temporary restriction.

Self-Exclusion

Self-exclusion is intended for users who want to stop gambling completely or believe they have lost control over their behaviour.

After permanent self-exclusion is activated, access to the affected account is blocked. A temporary exclusion period may also be available.

A self-exclusion request can be submitted through the responsible gambling settings or through the customer support options available in the user account.

Self-exclusion must not be bypassed by opening new accounts or using alternative personal details.

Further information about additional blocking options is available on the gambling exclusion information page.

Independent Support for Gambling Problems

Professional help can be valuable as soon as the first warning signs appear. Users do not need to wait until gambling has caused serious financial or social consequences.

The following independent organisations provide information, counselling or access to peer-support groups:

• Check dein Spiel – anonymous self-assessment
• Check dein Spiel – online counselling
• Check dein Spiel – local support services in Germany
• Check dein Spiel – support for family members
• Gambling Therapy – international online support
• Gambling Therapy – online support groups
• Gamblers Anonymous – international meetings

These services may be used both by people experiencing gambling problems and by their relatives, partners and friends.

Software for Blocking Gambling Services

Blocking software can make it more difficult to access gambling websites and applications. These programs do not replace professional counselling, but they can provide an additional layer of protection.

• BetBlocker
• Gamban
• GamBlock
• Net Nanny

Blocking software should ideally be installed on every computer, smartphone and tablet used by the individual. A trusted person may assist with installation and protect access to the software settings.

Protecting Minors

People under the age of 18 must not create a player account or participate in real-money gambling.

Adult users are responsible for protecting their login details, devices and payment methods so that minors cannot gain access.

Recommended Protective Measures

• Do not share your username or password with other people.
• Do not enable automatic login on shared devices.
• Do not store passwords in browsers accessible to other household members.
• Protect computers and smartphones with a PIN, password or biometric lock.
• Keep payment cards and banking information away from minors.
• Regularly review the applications installed on shared devices.
• Use parental-control or internet-filtering software.
• Log out of the account completely after every session.

Parental-control software such as Net Nanny can help restrict access to unsuitable online content.

Support for Family Members

Problem gambling often affects more than the person who gambles. Partners, relatives and friends may also experience financial difficulties, conflict and loss of trust.

Family members should avoid repeatedly lending money or paying gambling debts. Doing so does not address the cause of the problem and may unintentionally make continued gambling possible.

A calm conversation, clear financial boundaries and professional support are generally more effective than accusations or threats.

Additional information is available through the support service for relatives and friends.

When Should Immediate Action Be Taken?

An immediate gambling break and professional support are especially important when:

• money intended for essential needs has been lost;
• new debts are being created to continue gambling;
• gambling activity is being hidden from close relatives or friends;
• work, education or relationships are being seriously affected;
• the person experiences severe anxiety, desperation or loss of control;
• illegal activity is being considered as a way to finance gambling;
• thoughts of self-harm or suicide occur.

Where there is an immediate risk to the safety of the user or another person, the local emergency or rescue services must be contacted without delay.

Personal Responsible Gambling Plan

A simple written plan can help prevent impulsive decisions.

1. Set a maximum monthly gambling budget.
2. Activate a deposit limit below that budget.
3. Choose specific days and times when gambling is permitted.
4. Set a time limit for every session.
5. Never gamble with borrowed money.
6. Review your gambling history at least once a week.
7. Plan regular gambling-free periods.
8. Save links to independent support services.
9. Tell a trusted person about your limits.
10. Use a temporary break or self-exclusion immediately if control is lost.

Summary

Responsible gambling means consciously limiting time and money, accepting losses and never treating gambling as a source of income.

Deposit limits, regular reviews of gambling history, breaks and self-exclusion can help stop risky behaviour at an early stage.

Anyone experiencing difficulties should not try to manage the problem alone. Independent counselling services, peer-support groups and blocking software provide practical assistance for gamblers and their families.