Responsible gaming

Keep the game a game

An evening at the tables can be an enjoyable part of a casino hotel stay. It stops being enjoyable when it costs more than you meant to spend, takes more time than you planned, or starts to affect your mood, finances or relationships. Gala Glade covers casinos purely as entertainment.

Check the entry age

Minimum ages vary around the world. In the destinations we cover, casino entry is generally 21 in the United States, Singapore and Macau, and 18 in Monaco, Australia and the Bahamas. Some places add further rules, such as entry levies for residents or bans on local citizens. Always bring photo ID.

Habits that help

• Set a spending limit before you go down, and leave your cards in the room safe.
• Set a time limit and use an alarm. Casino floors rarely have clocks or windows.
• Never raise your bets to win back what you have lost.
• Take regular breaks, eat properly and go easy on alcohol.
• Think of any money spent as the price of a night out, never as an investment.

Signs to watch for

It may be time to step away if you are spending more than you can afford, borrowing to gamble, hiding how much you play, feeling restless when you cannot gamble, or chasing losses. Most casinos run self-exclusion programmes, and staff can explain how to join one.

Where to get help

Free, confidential support is available. These details were correct when we wrote this page, so check each service's website for the latest information.

If you are in immediate danger or feel unable to keep yourself safe, call your local emergency number.