Responsible Gambling

Bwin is dedicated to providing a safe and enjoyable online betting environment. We understand that for most of our customers, gambling is a form of entertainment, a fun pastime. However, we also recognise that for a small percentage of individuals, gambling can become problematic. Our commitment to safer gambling is a core principle of our operations, ensuring that we offer the tools and support necessary to help our players maintain control over their betting activities. We comply with all regulatory requirements set by our licensing authority and continuously review our policies and procedures to safeguard our community. This page outlines the measures we have in place and the resources available to help you gamble responsibly.

Identifying problem gambling early is crucial. It is not always obvious, and individuals may try to conceal their struggles. We encourage all our players to be aware of the potential signs, both in themselves and in those around them. Problem gambling can manifest in various ways, impacting financial stability, relationships, and mental health. If you notice any of the following, it may be time to seek help:

• Spending more money or time on gambling than you can afford or intended.
• Feeling a need to be secretive about your gambling activities.
• Chasing losses, meaning you try to win back money you have lost by gambling more.
• Gambling affecting your work, studies, or personal relationships.
• Feeling anxious, guilty, or depressed because of your gambling.
• Borrowing money or selling possessions to fund gambling.
• Repeated, unsuccessful attempts to stop or control gambling.
• Losing interest in other hobbies or activities you once enjoyed.

If these signs resonate with you, or if you are concerned about a friend or family member, please consider using the tools Bwin provides or seeking professional assistance.

Gambling should always be an enjoyable leisure activity, not a source of stress or financial strain. To keep your experience with Bwin positive and within your control, we recommend the following practices:

• Gamble for entertainment, not for income: View gambling as a form of recreation, similar to going to the cinema or a sporting event, with an associated cost.
• Set a budget and stick to it: Decide how much money you can comfortably afford to lose before you start, and do not exceed that amount.
• Set a time limit: Decide how long you will gamble and adhere to that limit, regardless of wins or losses.
• Never chase losses: Accept that losses are part of gambling and do not try to win back money you have lost by increasing your stakes or playing longer.
• Balance gambling with other activities: Ensure gambling does not become your only hobby or interest.
• Avoid gambling when stressed or upset: Emotional states can impair judgment and lead to impulsive decisions.
• Do not gamble under the influence: Alcohol or drugs can affect your ability to make rational choices.

Bwin offers robust tools to help you manage your spending effectively. You can set personal limits on your account at any time. These limits are designed to help you control the amount of money you deposit, lose, or wager over specified periods. Once a limit is set, you cannot exceed it until the chosen period resets. You have the flexibility to set:

• Deposit Limits: Restrict the total amount of money you can deposit into your Bwin account over a daily, weekly, or monthly period.
• Loss Limits: Control the maximum amount of money you can lose over a daily, weekly, or monthly period. Once you reach this limit, you will be prevented from placing further bets until the period resets.
• Wager Limits: Manage the total amount of money you can wager over a daily, weekly, or monthly period.

You can adjust these limits through your account settings. Any request to increase a limit will typically involve a cooling-off period before it takes effect, giving you time to reconsider. Decreasing a limit, however, usually takes effect immediately.

If you feel you need a short break from gambling, Bwin provides options for time-outs or cool-off periods. This allows you to temporarily restrict access to your account for a defined duration. During a time-out, you will not be able to log in, deposit funds, or place bets. This can be a very effective way to step back, reassess your gambling habits, and regain perspective without committing to a longer self-exclusion. You can choose from various time-out durations, typically ranging from 24 hours to several weeks. Once the time-out period expires, your account will automatically reactivate.

For individuals who feel their gambling is becoming a serious problem, or if you simply wish to take an extended break, Bwin offers comprehensive self-exclusion facilities. Self-exclusion allows you to voluntarily close your account for a more significant period, typically ranging from six months to five years, or even permanently. During a self-exclusion period:

• You will be prevented from accessing your Bwin account.
• We will take all reasonable steps to prevent you from opening new accounts with us.
• You will be removed from all marketing databases and will not receive promotional materials.

Please consider your decision carefully before initiating a self-exclusion, as it cannot be reversed once activated. If you choose to self-exclude, we strongly recommend that you also consider self-excluding from any other gambling operators you use and seek professional support.

Bwin is strictly committed to preventing underage gambling. Our services are not intended for, and we do not knowingly market to, individuals under the legal gambling age in their jurisdiction. We employ robust age verification procedures during the registration process to confirm that all our players are 18 years of age or older, or the legal age of majority in their specific region, whichever is higher. We utilise third-party verification services to check the age and identity of our customers. Furthermore, we advise parents and guardians to:

• Install internet filtering software to block access to gambling sites.
• Keep your Bwin account details, such as usernames and passwords, confidential and out of reach of minors.
• Educate children about the risks and dangers of underage gambling.
• Monitor their online activities and report any suspected underage gambling to us immediately.

If we discover that an account has been opened by an underage individual, the account will be immediately closed, and any winnings forfeited.

To help you monitor your gambling activity and remain aware of the time you spend on Bwin, we offer a 'Reality Check' feature. This tool provides regular pop-up notifications during your gaming sessions, reminding you how long you have been playing. The notification will typically display the duration of your current session and, in some cases, your net win or loss during that period. You will then have the option to continue playing, review your account history, or log out. This simple reminder helps you stay conscious of your playtime and can prompt you to take a break or stop playing when needed. You can set the frequency of these reality checks in your account settings.

Understanding your own gambling habits is a key step towards responsible play. Bwin encourages you to regularly take a self-assessment test to evaluate your relationship with gambling. These tests consist of a series of questions designed to help you reflect on your behaviour and identify potential risk factors. While not a diagnostic tool, a self-assessment can provide valuable insights and indicate whether you might benefit from further support or from utilising our responsible gambling tools. If your self-assessment suggests that your gambling might be problematic, we strongly advise you to consider setting limits, taking a break, or seeking professional help. You can find links to self-assessment questionnaires within our Responsible Gambling section or through various gambling support organisations.

If gambling stops being fun, free and confidential help is available. These organisations are independent of this site and of any operator:

International support (any country)

• Gambling Therapy (free global online support in 30+ languages)
• GamCare, National Gambling Helpline · Helpline: 0808 8020 133
• Gamblers Anonymous (international 12-step fellowship, find local meetings)