Keep play in its place

A balanced routine

Choose your time, take breaks

Decide how long you want to play before you start. Pause between rounds, step away as soon as play stops feeling enjoyable, and leave room for sleep, work, relationships and offline interests.

• Use a timer or a clear stopping point.
• Never treat play as an answer to money worries.
• Stop when you feel frustrated, restless or compelled to carry on.
• Keep play out of the small hours, when it is hardest to stop.

Know the signs

When play may be a problem

Pay attention if you hide how long you play, let responsibilities slip, lose sleep, use play to escape distress, or repeatedly struggle to stop once you have started. Talking to someone early makes the next step much easier.

Habits formed around free social games can carry over into real-money gambling elsewhere, so the same care is worth taking here. If you are worried about your own behaviour or someone else’s, the independent organisations below offer confidential information and support.