Do you know our Responsible Gaming guide?

Playing should be fun – and that also applies to gambling. It offers you exciting entertainment for a short time, but it is not a reliable source of income and by no means a substitute for regular employment. When fun turns serious, it is time to stop.

Gambling is based on chance – and you should always keep this in mind. Luck cannot be forced, as it does not depend on your skill. For this reason, the course of the game cannot be influenced. Having a realistic view of the nature of gambling is crucial to preventing problematic behaviour.

If you are facing financial difficulties and urgently need money, gambling is not the solution. Gambling is purely based on chance, which cannot be predicted or calculated. Winnings can neither be planned nor guaranteed. Anyone who tries to earn money through gambling risks losing a realistic perspective on the nature of the game – and no longer plays for fun!

The special appeal of gambling lies in playing with and for money. Similar to playing cards like skat, the fun would only be half as great without stakes. However, it is important to remember that money can also be lost – and what is lost is lost. The possible consequences of losing a stake should always be taken into account. To limit losses, it is therefore advisable to set yourself a personal spending limit in advance – and stick to it strictly. Once you have reached your limit, you should stop playing and call it a day.

Players who believe they can recover lost money by increasing their stakes or playing more often are falling into a dangerous misconception. The probability of losing remains unchanged, regardless of how often or how much you play – that is the unchangeable nature of chance. Anyone who still tries to outsmart chance risks accumulating even greater losses. It is therefore important to set yourself a loss limit that matches your financial means – and to stick to it consistently.

Rent, insurance, groceries – we all need to budget our available income carefully. On top of that, we have goals we save for, such as the next holiday, a new bike, or concert tickets. To ensure that financial obligations and personal goals are not compromised, it is important to use only money for gambling that is not already earmarked for other purposes. This way, gambling remains a carefree leisure activity without negative effects on other areas of life.

To avoid debt and protect your financial stability, it is important to play only with your own money and never with borrowed money. Debt turns entertainment into serious problems – and takes away the fun of playing.

A visit to the casino or the arcade offers excitement and a welcome break from everyday life. But real life happens elsewhere – with family and friends, at work, in sports, or in other hobbies. Only those who are well grounded in life can truly enjoy a short break at the casino or arcade without worry.

Those who play constantly lose the appeal of what makes it special. To preserve the magic of the game, frequency and duration should be determined in advance. After all, even carnival would lose its charm if it took place all year round – just like football would if your favourite team played every single day.

Anyone who does sports knows the intense feeling of happiness during and after a tough training session. But just as important are the breaks afterwards, giving the body time to recover. The same applies to gambling: constant thrills are unhealthy. Tension should be followed by relaxation – to gain distance from the game, return to everyday life, and build a healthy sense of anticipation for the next time you play.

When gambling, you should keep a clear head in order to view the game realistically. Intoxication clouds reason and judgement. Decisions made in such states are often regretted later – and cannot be undone. That’s why it should be clear: excessive alcohol, medication, and drugs are not compatible with fun and responsible play.