Five rules worth keeping
- Adults only. Casino games and betting are for people aged 18 and over.
- Check the law. Real-money online gaming is restricted in India by national legislation adopted in 2025 and by state laws. Only play where it is permitted.
- Budget first. Only use money you can afford to lose – never rent, EMIs, school fees or savings.
- No chasing. Losses are part of the game. Trying to win them back usually makes them bigger.
- Not an income. Gambling is paid entertainment, not a way to earn or invest money.
Set limits before you play
It is easier to stick to a decision made in advance. Set your limits before you log in – Pin-Up offers deposit limits and self-exclusion, and support can add further restrictions.
| Tool | What it does | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
| Deposit limit | Caps how much you can add per day, week or month | Always – set it when you open the account |
| Loss limit | A personal stop point for each session | Before every session, especially fast games |
| Session timer | A phone alarm or reminder to take a break | Crash games, live betting, long slot sessions |
| Cooling-off | A short break during which you cannot play | After a bad run or when you feel frustrated |
| Self-exclusion | Blocks access for a longer, fixed period | When limits are no longer enough |
Warning signs
Gambling harm tends to build up gradually. These are common signs that it is time to pause:
- Spending more time or money than you planned, again and again
- Increasing stakes to feel the same excitement or to recover losses
- Borrowing money, using credit or selling things to keep playing
- Hiding gambling from family or lying about how much you spend
- Feeling anxious, irritable or low when you are not playing
- Neglecting work, study, sleep or relationships
Protecting children
Keep casino accounts, cards and UPI apps away from children. Parental-control settings on shared devices and logging out after play help prevent underage access.
Questions to ask yourself
There is no score here – but a single honest yes is reason enough to slow down.
- Have I spent more on gambling this month than I meant to?
- Have I gone back another day to win back money I lost?
- Has anyone close to me said my gambling worries them?
- Have I felt I should cut down but not managed to?
Taking a proper break
If limits are not enough, ask Pin-Up support to self-exclude you for a fixed period and do not open accounts elsewhere in the meantime. Device-level blocking software and your bank's controls on gambling payments, where offered, add another layer.
During a break, remove casino apps and bookmarks from your devices so there is no one-tap way back in.
Support is available
Talking helps. Start with someone you trust, or with your doctor or a counsellor. Gambling Therapy offers free, confidential support online, including live chat, and accepts people from India.
For account-level tools, see our contact page for how to reach Pin-Up support safely.