Poker can be a good game to play and to study, but when money is at stake it can also cause harm. This page explains what responsible gambling means for poker and casino games, which warning signs to look out for, and where to get free, confidential help if gambling has become a problem.
Analyzepoker is an information site. We do not offer gambling and we do not encourage anyone to gamble. We think it matters that anyone who chooses to play for money does so safely and with their eyes open.
Do you or someone close to you need help?
Help is free and confidential, and you do not have to deal with it alone. Wherever you live, these services are a good place to start:
- Worldwide: Gambling Therapy offers free online support and chat in several languages.
- United States: the National Problem Gambling Helpline, run by the National Council on Problem Gambling: call or text 1-800-MY-RESET (1-800-697-3738).
- United Kingdom: the National Gambling Helpline, run by GamCare: 0808 8020 133 in England and Scotland, 0808 2819 265 in Wales, free and open 24 hours a day.
- Australia: Gambling Help Online: 1800 858 858.
- New Zealand: the Gambling Helpline: 0800 654 655 or a free text to 8006.
If your country is not listed, Gambling Therapy can point you to local services, and your doctor can refer you to support near you.
What responsible gambling means
Responsible gambling means staying in control and treating real-money play as entertainment, paid for with money you can afford to lose, in the same way as a ticket to a game or a concert.
Poker has a reputation as a game of skill, and skill does matter over many hands. That reputation can also be a trap. In the short run luck decides a large share of results, the house or card room takes a fee from every pot or tournament, and most players lose money over time. Casino games such as blackjack, baccarat and Three Card Poker have a built-in house edge, so no strategy makes them profitable in the long run.
When playing stops being fun, or when you play to win back what you lost, it is time to stop.
Simple habits for safer play
- Decide on a budget for money and time before you sit down, and stick to it.
- Keep a bankroll that is separate from money for rent, bills and food.
- Never borrow money to play, and never use credit to fund deposits.
- Do not chase losses by moving up in stakes or playing longer.
- Take regular breaks, especially in long tournament sessions and online.
- Avoid playing when you are stressed, low, tired or have been drinking.
- Use the deposit limits, time reminders and self-exclusion tools that licensed sites offer.
Warning signs of gambling harm
Gambling problems usually develop gradually and can be hard to notice, both for the person who plays and for the people around them. Common signs include:
- playing for more money or for longer than you planned
- trying to win back losses by playing more or at higher stakes
- borrowing money or using money meant for other things to play
- hiding or lying about how much you play
- thinking about poker or gambling more and more of the time
- gambling affecting your work, study, sleep, finances or relationships
- feeling guilty, ashamed or anxious about your gambling
Even one of these signs can mean gambling is becoming a problem. Recognizing it is a good reason to talk to someone, and asking for help early often makes the biggest difference.
Check your gambling
If you are not sure whether your gambling is a problem, go back over the warning signs above and answer them honestly. For a second opinion, talk to one of the helplines listed at the top of this page. They are confidential, and you do not have to give your name.
Where to get help
- Helplines: free phone, text or chat support, listed by country at the top of this page. Advisers can also refer you to free counseling near you.
- Self-help groups: Gamblers Anonymous runs free meetings for people who want to stop gambling, in many countries and online.
- Self-exclusion: licensed poker sites and casinos let you set deposit limits, take a break or exclude yourself completely. Some countries also run national schemes that block you from every licensed operator at once, such as GAMSTOP in the United Kingdom and BetStop for online wagering in Australia. Many casinos and card rooms will also ban you from entering if you ask.
- Your doctor can help and refer you to further support.
For family and friends
Gambling problems affect more than the person who gambles. As a partner, parent or friend you may feel worried, powerless or stressed, and you can get support for yourself too. Most of the helplines above also help family members.
Common advice is to talk openly without blaming, to set clear boundaries around money, and not to pay off gambling debts, because that often makes the situation worse. In the end, the person who gambles has to choose to get help.
Age limits and the law
The minimum age for gambling depends on where you live. It is 18 in most countries, including the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand (where you must be 20 to enter a casino), and many US states require you to be 21 to gamble in a casino. The rules on online poker also differ: some countries license online poker sites, some restrict them, and some ban them.
Before you play for money, check the age limit and the law where you live. Your national or state gambling regulator publishes the current rules, for example the UK Gambling Commission, the gaming commission of your US state, or New Zealand’s Department of Internal Affairs. Only play on sites that are licensed where you live.