Gambling is paid entertainment with a negative expected value: over the long run, a casino always pays players back less than it takes in. This page helps you notice in time that gambling has stopped being entertainment, and shows which safeguards to put in place in advance. Gambling in Ukraine is permitted from the age of 21.
A ten-question self-check
Answer honestly. If you answer "yes" three or more times, it is worth taking a break and reviewing your limits.
- Do you play for longer than you planned, more often than once a week?
- Do you raise your stakes to feel the old excitement?
- Do you come back the next day to win back your losses?
- Do you top up your account with money set aside for something else?
- Have you borrowed money or taken out a loan to gamble?
- Do you hide from those close to you how much time or money goes on gambling?
- Do you feel irritated when you try to cut down on gambling?
- Do you gamble to escape stress or a bad mood?
- Have you missed work, studies or family commitments because of gambling?
- Have you promised yourself to stop — and not stopped?
What to set up before your first deposit
Safeguards only work if you switch them on with a clear head, not in the middle of a losing session.
- Deposit limit — daily, weekly or monthly; at most casinos it is set in your personal account, and it can only be removed after a delay.
- Time limit — a reminder or a forced end to the session after a set period.
- Time-out — a temporary block on the account for a day, a week or a month.
- Self-exclusion — closing the account for a long period with no right to reopen it on request.
- Banking restrictions — blocking transactions with gambling services in your banking app, or a separate card with a small limit.
Offshore operator and the state register
Ukraine has a register of persons whose access to gambling is restricted: KRAIL-licensed operators are required to check players against it. The casino covered by this site works under a Curaçao licence and is not connected to the Ukrainian system. So self-restriction through the state register does not apply to it — set limits and self-exclusion directly in your account with the operator and with your bank.
Where to get help
Gambling addiction is a recognised disorder, and it is treated in the same way as other addictions. You can start by talking to your GP or a psychotherapist with experience of addictive behaviour. The international Gamblers Anonymous fellowships run mutual support groups, including online ones, and GamCare and similar organisations publish free materials for players and their families.
If the problem is with someone close to you, do not take on their debts and do not give them money "for the last time". It is better to agree on a joint visit to a specialist and on restricting access to shared accounts.