Responsible gambling: know the cost, set limits, get help

Online slots are built to take a share of every bet, and RTP tells you how large that share is. It never turns the odds in your favour. Play only with money you can afford to lose, and stop when you stop having fun.

This page informs you how much play really costs, the signs that problem gambling is developing, the tools to stay in control of your gambling, and where to get free and confidential help.

Owen SheridanBy Owen Sheridan · Updated

Responsible gambling starts with the cost

Every slot has a house edge of 100% minus its RTP, which means over a long time you lose that share of the money you bet, on average.

500 spins is a good estimate of how many spins you make in an hour, and at €1 a spin that comes out to about €18 lost on a 96.34% RTP slot or about €39 on a 92.17% RTP slot. Wins along the way are part of that average, not a way out of it.

Treat the cost as the price of entertainment and set the limit before playing. Don't chase losses.

How the house edge works: house edge vs RTP.

Average cost of 500 spins at €1

  • 96.34% RTP€18.30
  • 92.17% RTP€39.15

Averages over many spins. A single hour can cost much more.

Signs gambling is becoming a problem

Any of these give you a good reason to take a break and think about your gambling:

  1. Chasing losses

    Chasing losses by increasing bet size or continuing to gamble.

  2. Money trouble

    Going over your set budget, gambling with money you can't afford to lose or borrowing money to gamble.

  3. Hiding it

    Lying to or deceiving friends and family about your gambling habits.

  4. Losing time and calm

    Playing longer than you intended to or feeling restless and dissatisfied if you can't gamble.

Responsible gambling tools that help

Most casinos let you set deposit, loss and session limits, take a time-out or self-exclude to control your gambling. Set limits before you start playing, when the limits are easy to set.

There are lots of apps that block gambling sites on your devices. BetBlocker is a free one run by a non-profit; Gamban is another.

Bonuses let you gamble longer and increase the amount you bet. See what one costs with the wagering requirement calculator.

  1. Set a deposit limit

    These can be set daily, weekly or monthly in your casino account settings.

  2. Set a time limit

    Use session reminders. Decide on a stop time and stick to it.

  3. Take a break

    A time out pauses your account for days or weeks.

  4. Self-exclude

    This closes your account for months or years. Use this if limits are not enough.

Free, confidential help

Talking to someone helps, and it costs nothing. These services are free and confidential.

Worldwide

By country

Blocking tools

Responsible gambling and under-18s

Gambling is for adults only: 18, or the legal gambling age where you live if it is higher. RTP Finder is not for anyone younger.

Keep your casino login information to yourself and use blocking apps or parental controls to keep gambling sites away from kids if they use your devices.

Learn more about the site and who it is for: about RTP Finder.