Responsible Gaming

Every form of gambling carries a risk of financial loss. Understanding this is the foundation of responsible play.

Here is how you can maintain control and protect your financial and emotional wellbeing:

• Set a budget before you play. Decide in advance how much you can afford to lose, and do not exceed that amount.
• Treat gambling as entertainment, not income. Winnings are never guaranteed, and no strategy can change the odds reliably.
• Use available limit tools. Parimatch offers deposit limits, loss limits, and session time controls to help you stay within safe boundaries.
• Take regular breaks. Continuous play can cloud judgement. Stepping away helps you maintain perspective.
• Keep track of your time and spending. Monitor how long you play and how much you wager during each session.
• Do not chase losses. Trying to recover lost funds by placing more bets is one of the most common patterns of harmful gambling behaviour.
• Avoid gambling under stress or emotional pressure. Decisions made under emotional distress are rarely sound, and gambling is not a solution to personal problems.
• Balance gambling with other activities. A healthy routine includes diverse interests beyond betting.

These principles are simple to follow and highly effective when applied consistently.

Gambling addiction develops gradually and is not always easy to recognise early. Being aware of the warning signs can help you or someone close to you seek support before the situation becomes more serious.

The following indicators may suggest a gambling problem:

• Spending more money on betting than originally intended, or more than you can afford.
• Feeling a persistent urge to increase bet amounts to experience the same level of excitement.
• Becoming restless, irritable, or anxious when attempting to cut down or stop gambling.
• Repeatedly trying to stop or reduce gambling without success.
• Preoccupation with gambling, including thinking about past bets or planning the next session constantly.
• Using gambling as a way to escape stress, anxiety, depression, or other emotional difficulties.
• Attempting to recover losses by placing further bets, a pattern often referred to as chasing losses.
• Hiding gambling activity from family, friends, or colleagues.
• Borrowing money, selling possessions, or neglecting financial responsibilities to fund gambling.
• Experiencing negative consequences in personal relationships, employment, or mental health due to gambling.

If you recognise several of these signs in yourself or someone you know, it is important to act. Gambling addiction is a recognised psychological condition, and professional help is available.

Combating betting addiction requires a structured approach and consistent effort. The following recommendations can support healthier habits and reduce dependency on gambling:

• Acknowledge the issue. Accepting that gambling has become a problem is the first and most important step toward recovery.
• Use self-exclusion options. Parimatch provides a self-exclusion feature that allows you to restrict access to your account for a defined period.
• Set strict deposit and loss limits. Activating these tools through your account settings creates a concrete financial boundary.
• Remove saved payment details. Reducing easy access to funds can help limit impulsive betting decisions.
• Reach out to a trusted person. Sharing your experience with a family member, friend, or colleague provides emotional support and accountability.
• Seek professional counselling. Therapists and counsellors trained in addiction can provide structured guidance tailored to your situation.
• Engage in alternative activities. Physical exercise, social activities, hobbies, and other pursuits can reduce the urge to gamble.
• Avoid triggers. Identify the specific situations, emotions, or environments that prompt gambling, and develop strategies to manage them.
• Contact a helpline. Dedicated gambling addiction services offer confidential guidance at no cost.
• Be patient with recovery. Progress takes time. Setbacks are part of the process, and continued effort leads to improvement.

These steps are most effective when combined with consistent support from professionals and trusted individuals.

A range of professional organisations and helplines in India can provide confidential support to those affected by gambling addiction. Reaching out is a constructive step toward recovery.

The following resources are available:

• iCall (Tata Institute of Social Sciences): A psychological counselling service offering support for addiction and mental health concerns. Website: icallhelpline.org | Helpline: 9152987821
• Vandrevala Foundation Helpline: A 24/7 mental health helpline providing free and confidential support across India. Helpline: 1860-2662-345 | Website: vandrevalafoundation.com
• NIMHANS (National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences): A leading mental health institution in Bengaluru offering addiction treatment and counselling services. Website: nimhans.ac.in
• Parivarthan Counselling, Training and Research Centre: A Bengaluru-based organisation providing individual counselling for addiction and behavioural issues. Helpline: +91-7676602602 | Website: parivarthan.org
• Gamblers Anonymous India: A peer support community based on the 12-step recovery programme, with groups active across several Indian cities. Website: gamblersanonymous.org.in
• Snehi India: A mental health NGO providing emotional support through helplines and in-person counselling. Helpline: +91-44-24640050 | Website: snehi.org

All services listed above are confidential. You do not need to be in crisis to seek help.

If you are experiencing difficulties related to gambling, the support team is here to assist you. Reaching out is straightforward and confidential.

The following channels are available to contact support:

• Live Chat: Available directly on the Parimatch website for immediate assistance.
• Email: Send your query or concern to the official support email address listed in the Help section of the platform.
• Help Centre: Visit the dedicated Help section on the website for guides on account tools, limit settings, and self-exclusion steps.

The support team can help you activate responsible gambling tools, initiate self-exclusion, or direct you to appropriate external resources. All communications are handled with full confidentiality.