Stay Grounded

Some Distant Galaxy writes about games that cost money to play. We think they can be enjoyable, but only when they stay in their proper place: a paid pastime, chosen freely, with a clear end point. This page sets out how we think about that, and what to do if things start to drift.

Adults only

Everything on this site is written for people aged 18 or over, or older where local law sets a higher age. If you are under that age, please do not gamble and please leave this site. If you share a device with younger people, consider using parental controls or blocking software.

Know the basics before you play

• Every casino game and betting market is built to give the operator an advantage over time.
• Results are random. A machine is never "due" and a losing run is never "owed" a win; our piece on the gambler's fallacy explains why.
• Bonuses come with conditions, and no promotion turns gambling into a way to earn money.
• Gambling is not legal everywhere. Check the rules in your country or region first.

Set your limits first

The best moment to decide how much to spend is before you start, when you are calm and nothing is at stake. A few habits help:

1. Pick a budget you could lose entirely without affecting bills, savings or plans, and treat it as the price of the evening.
2. Set a time limit and use the tools your account offers, such as deposit limits and reality check reminders.
3. Keep gambling money separate from everyday money, and never borrow to play.
4. Stop when the budget is gone, rather than topping up to win it back.
5. Avoid playing when you are stressed, low, tired or have been drinking.

When play starts to cause harm

Gambling problems can build slowly. It may be time to step back if you notice that you:

• spend more money or time than you intended, again and again;
• chase losses with bigger or more frequent bets;
• feel restless or irritable when you try to cut down;
• hide your gambling from people close to you;
• borrow money, miss payments or sell things to keep playing;
• think about gambling much of the time, or use it to escape difficult feelings.

Where to find support

If any of this sounds familiar, you do not have to deal with it alone. Many countries have free, confidential gambling support services, including helplines, online chat and face-to-face counselling. Searching for gambling support services in your country, or speaking with your GP or family doctor, is a sensible place to start. Licensed operators usually list local help on their own responsible-gambling pages.

Most operators also offer time-outs and self-exclusion, which block access to your account for a period you choose. Some countries run wider schemes that cover several sites at once, and blocking software can stop gambling sites from loading on your devices.

If you are worried about someone else, support services can often help family members and friends too. Talking openly and without judgement can make a real difference.

If you have questions about this page, you can reach us through the contact page. We cannot offer counselling ourselves, but we will gladly point you towards general information.