Responsible gambling

The risks are real

Betting carries financial risk: you can lose the money you stake. Bonuses do not guarantee winnings or remove the possibility of losses. Gambling is not a reliable source of income or a way to solve money problems.

Ways to stay in control

• Before you start, decide how much money you can afford to lose without affecting essential spending, and stick to it.
• Set a time limit and keep to it.
• Don’t chase losses: trying to win back what you lost usually makes things worse.
• Take breaks.
• Never gamble with borrowed money or to pay off debts.
• Avoid gambling when you are stressed, sad, angry or have been drinking.
• Use the tools licensed operators provide, such as deposit and time limits, cooling-off periods and self-exclusion.

Warning signs

• You spend more than planned or play longer than you meant to.
• You hide or play down how much you gamble.
• You borrow money or sell things to keep gambling.
• You neglect work, study or family.
• You feel irritable or anxious when you try to stop.

Where to get help in Argentina

• Line 141Sedronar (Argentina’s national addiction service). Free, anonymous and available 365 days a year nationwide, in Spanish. Family members can call too.
• 0800-444-4000Compulsive Gambling Prevention and Assistance Programme, Province of Buenos Aires. Free, 24 hours a day, in Spanish.

You can also speak to a health professional or to the responsible gambling programme run by your province’s lottery or gaming authority. Many of these authorities also offer self-exclusion programmes.

If you are worried about someone else

Talk to them without judging, tell them what you have noticed and offer to go with them to get help. Line 141 also takes calls from family members and friends.