Responsible Gaming

If you have children or teenagers in your household, take extra care to secure your computer and mobile devices.

• All Windows computers can be set up to have password control so that you must enter a password to get to the desktop, and mobile devices can be set up to require a passcode to unlock. In general, this is a good practice, but it’s even more important when there are children or teenagers in your household. Also, keep your username and password private. You can elect to have the software not remember your password each time you log-in. If you have any concern that somebody else might attempt to access your Stars Account, you should not allow the software to remember your password.
• If you have children or teenagers in your household, use protection software that allows you to limit the websites to which they have access, prevent file sharing, and generally give you detailed control over how your children use the Internet. Here is a list of some of those programs:
  • SafeKids
  • NetNanny
• If you are aware of an underage person using our platform, let us know. Simply visit our Help Center and we will get right on it. Our first step is to investigate, and if warranted, freeze the player’s account and request identification from that player. We take these reports seriously.
• Be a responsible parent. In many ways, this is nothing more than keeping your eyes and ears open. If you hear your children talking about online gambling accounts, deposits, and withdrawals, start asking questions. If you see the software on your child's computer, uninstall it and ask more questions. A responsible parent is the best start to preventing underage gaming. You can find advice on how to talk to a young person about gambling here.

If you want to block yourself from a particular game, go to the main lobby of the desktop software, select ‘More’ > ‘Tools’ > ‘Responsible Gaming’ > ‘Restrict Table Limit’ ⁱ and set your limit to ‘Don’t play’.

• We offer a 24-hour time out period. You will not be able to play any games that we offer for real money or play money on our software. Once you click the button that requests a break in play or a self-exclusion period, the restriction will begin immediately. Greek regulations do not allow for any play after a break in play or self-exclusion request (of any duration) is submitted. This means if you self-exclude yourself during a tournament you will be “sat-out” and not be allowed to complete the tournament. In addition, you will not be entitled to a refund. If you are in a cash game, you will be sat-out once the hand in progress is completed. You will be automatically unregistered from any online tournament that begins during the time out and self-exclusion period, with your buy-in refunded per our normal policy. You will be able to login and access the Cashier, but you will not be able to deposit or play with your Stars Account. You will not receive any marketing emails or newsletters from us. It's important to know that once a request is confirmed, we can't reverse the decision. Once the time expires, you'll be able to enjoy our games again. Please also note that if you win any prizes resulting from any offer that may have started prior to your self-exclusion (i.e. automatic drawings to live events, or live activities), they may be forfeited.
• 30-days self-exclusion. This is identical to the other time out period.
• Permanent self-exclusion. This is identical to the other time out periods, except that your account will be closed, and any remaining funds will be withdrawn automatically. If you want to play with us again, you can visit our Help Center to find out how. You can only return to playing with us after you have served a minimum self-exclusion period of 12 months.
• Other self-exclusions. If you wish to self-exclude yourself for a time frame not listed above, please visit our Help Center to find out ways to contact us.
• If any available Free Spin or Bonus expires within the self-exclusion period, it can no longer be used. All Free Spins and Bonuses have an expiration date. You can check this by going to ‘My Rewards’ > ‘Free Spins’ or ‘Bonuses’.

If you wish to self-exclude from all online gambling activity, consider downloading gamban®, software that helps you by blocking access to all online gambling.

You may also wish to investigate GamBlock, a software application that limits a computer’s access to online gaming sites.

The "Problematic Gambling Severity Index (PGSI)” is a widely accepted tool for measuring problematic gambling behavior, designed and developed specifically for use in the general population by Ferris and Wynne (2001).
The PGSI interprets the answers to a series of questions about experiences and events that may have occurred to the respondent during the previous 12 months, as a result of gambling. In order to take the test, you must enter your age and gender and then you will be asked to answer the questions.

Each individual answer is evaluated on a four-point scale, as "never", "sometimes", "most often", and "almost always". The answers are graded as follows:
§ “never” = zero
§ “sometimes” = one
§ “most of the times” = two
§ “almost always” = three

The final result of the test is the sum of the score that the respondent receives from their answers to each of the nine questions. The categorization of risk based on the PGSI is as follows:

§ Responsible gambling behavior. This category includes those whose answers have zero sum, which means that their gambling does not have negative consequences.
§ Low-risk gambling behavior. This category includes those whose answers have a sum of one to two. It includes players with minimal negative consequences from engaging in gambling (for example, they are unlikely to lose control of time, run out of money and/or feel guilty for gambling).
§ Moderate-risk gambling behavior. This category includes those whose answers have a sum of three to seven. It includes players with a number of negative consequences from gambling (for example, they often increase their time and money limits, sometimes lose their sense of time and/or experience feelings of guilt about gambling).
§ Problematic gambling behavior. This category includes those whose answers have a sum of eight or more. It includes players with a variety of negative consequences from gambling and possible loss of control over the time and money they spend on it (for example, they constantly increase their time and money limits, continue to play hoping to win the money they lost and/or experience intense anxiety about and from gambling).

There are risk factors that can contribute to the development of gambling issues and make it more difficult to stop gambling. Players can be more at risk if they:

• Have easy access to their preferred form of gambling
• Hold mistaken beliefs about the odds of winning (see “Common Myths about Compulsive Gambling” below)
• Do not take precautions to monitor gambling wins and losses
• Have an early big win (leading to false expectation of future wins)
• Have had a recent loss or change in their personal life, such as divorce, job loss, retirement, or death of a loved one
• Often feel bored or lonely, or have a history of risk-taking or impulsive behavior
• Have financial problems
• Have a history of mental health problems, particularly depression and anxiety
• Have a parent who also has (or has had) problems with gambling or other compulsive disorders
• Have (or have had) problems with alcohol or other drugs, or overspending

The more factors that apply, the more likely a person is to develop a gambling problem.

If you are finding it hard to stop gambling, or if you’re already suffering from consequences related to your gambling behavior, it may be time to get help.

Myth: A compulsive gambler gambles every day.
Fact: A problem gambler may gamble frequently or infrequently. If a person’s gambling is causing psychological, financial, emotional, marital, legal or other consequences for themselves and the people around them, then they could be displaying signs of a gambling problem.

Myth: A compulsive gambler will bet on anything and gamble at any opportunity on any form of gambling.
Fact: Most problem gamblers have a favorite form of gambling that causes them problems and are not likely to be tempted by betting on other things. For example, a gambler who makes weekly trips to the race track may not be tempted by lottery tickets or slot machines. Some compulsive gamblers also engage in secondary forms of gambling, but these are not usually as problematic.

Myth: Gambling only becomes a problem when you lose every last penny. Compulsive gambling is just a financial problem.
Fact: How much money you win or lose does not determine if you have a gambling addiction. Compulsive gamblers may win big and then lose all their earnings the next day, or they may only bet a certain amount each time. Typically, those with gambling problems will incur enough debt that the financial consequences of their behavior begins impacting their lives, but that is not always the case.

Myth: It’s not possible to become addicted to something like gambling.
Fact: Certain activities, such as gambling, can be just as addictive as drinking or doing drugs. Gambling may produce a euphoria that encourages a compulsive gambler to keep repeating the behavior to achieve that effect. As with drugs and alcohol, a gambling addict may develop a tolerance for gambling and take bigger and bigger risks to achieve that euphoria. A compulsive gambler will give in to a craving for gambling by doing it more often, regardless of the negative consequences. As with any other addictions and compulsive behavior, pathological gamblers may also be in denial about their behavior, and may not believe they have a problem at all.

Myth: Only irresponsible people become addicted to gambling.
Fact: Many problem gamblers hold, or have held, responsible community positions. In addition, even people with a long history of responsible behavior are vulnerable to developing a gambling problem. It is common for people to believe that those suffering from addictions are weak-willed and irresponsible. But anybody can become addicted to gambling, no matter how responsible they are.

Myth: Compulsive gambling isn’t really a problem if the gambler can afford it. 
Fact: Problems caused by excessive gambling are not just financial. If a person’s gambling is interfering with their ability to act in accordance with their values, then there is a problem. For example, too much time spent on gambling means less time to spend with family, friends and others. It can lead to relationship breakdown and loss of important friendships.

Myth: It’s easy to recognize a compulsive gambler.
Fact: Problem gambling has been called the hidden addiction. It is very easy to hide as it has few recognizable symptoms, unlike alcohol and drug use. Many problem gamblers themselves do not recognize they have a gambling problem. Problem gamblers often engage in self-denial.

Myth: If I keep gambling, my luck will change and I'll win back the money I've lost.
Fact: Each time you place a bet, the outcome is completely independent of the previous bet. This means that the odds are no more in your favour on the tenth bet than they were on the first bet. Risking more, or playing longer, will not improve your chances of winning.

Myth: I have a feeling that today is my lucky day. I just know I’m going to win.
Fact: Hoping, wishing, or even needing to win money has absolutely no influence on the outcome of a game of chance. 

If any of these myths are realities for you or a loved one, it may be necessary to consider seeking treatment for a gambling addiction. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, please contact one of the organizations that we recommend.