Responsible gambling: control before the session, not after it
By Kristaps Birznieks · updated October 2026
Gambling is entertainment with a price. Live tables and in-play betting are especially fast: a roulette round lasts a few dozen seconds, and an in-play hockey market changes every minute. That pace makes self-control harder, so the rules you set for yourself have to be in place beforehand. Gambling is for adults only, and this site is meant for readers aged 18 and over.
Tools in your account
| Tool | What it does | When to set it |
|---|---|---|
| Deposit limit | Caps deposits per day, week or month | Before the first deposit |
| Loss limit | Stops play when a net loss is reached | Before the first session |
| Session limit | Reminds you or ends the session after a set time | Before the first session |
| Reality check | Shows regularly how long you have played and how much you spent | Right after sign-up |
| Time-out | Locks the account for a short period | When you feel you need a break |
Lowering a limit usually takes effect immediately; raising it comes with a delay. The delay is deliberate: it gives you time to think.
Warning signs
- You play longer or for more money than you planned.
- You try to win back losses with bigger bets.
- You borrow money to gamble or use a credit card.
- You hide your gambling from people close to you.
- Gambling affects your work, sleep or relationships.
- You feel restless when you cannot play.
If you recognise several of these, it is a reason to stop and talk to someone.
Live tables and in-play betting: specific advice
- Set a session budget and choose the table's minimum bet before you sit down. With a small budget, pick a low-minimum table.
- Do not change your stake after a loss. Systems that double the bet do not change the house edge.
- In-play, decide in advance how many bets you will place on one match.
- Never deposit in the middle of a session.
Simple maths for a budget
The house edge gives you a rough price of entertainment. If you place 100 bets of €2 per hour at European roulette, you turn over €200, and the expected loss at a 2.70% edge is about €5.40 per hour. The real result can be much worse, but the number shows that play is paid entertainment. If your sessions cost far more than planned, review your limits.
Where to get help
In Latvia: the support line for people with gambling problems and their relatives, +371 293 232 02, daily 12:00–22:00 according to azartaatkariba.lv. Relatives can call too. The Pašatteikušos personu reģistrs kept by VID blocks you from licensed operators for at least 12 months; see self-exclusion.
Outside Latvia: Gambling Therapy offers free online support for gambling problems worldwide, in many languages, through chat, forums and groups.
Also elsewhere: look for your national gambling helpline and national self-exclusion scheme. Your regulator's site usually lists both.
Minors
Gambling is not for minors. If children use the same phone or computer, never leave an account logged in and use the device's parental controls. Licensed operators check age during verification.
What to do right now
If you feel gambling is becoming a problem, set lower limits or a time-out today, not tomorrow. Tell someone you trust. Call a helpline. Our view of bonuses that encourage more play is on the VIP page, and table maths is in the live casino section.