Responsible Gaming

All forms of gambling involve the risk of financial loss. No outcome is guaranteed, and no strategy eliminates that risk entirely. The goal of responsible gaming is to keep gambling an enjoyable activity rather than a source of financial or emotional harm.

Players on Stake can take active steps to stay in control of their betting behavior:

• Set deposit, loss, and wagering limits to manage spending;
• Treat gambling as entertainment, not as a source of income;
• Play with money that can be lost without affecting essential expenses;
• Take regular breaks to avoid compulsive patterns;
• Use the platform’s self-exclusion and cooling-off tools when needed;
• Keep track of time spent playing to maintain balance;
• Avoid gambling when under emotional stress, fatigue, or the influence of substances;
• Reach out for support before a problem escalates.

Gambling addiction can develop gradually and is not always easy to identify. The following indicators may suggest that gambling has become problematic and requires attention:

• Spending more money on betting than originally intended;
• Borrowing money or selling belongings to fund gambling activity;
• Feeling restless or irritable when attempting to reduce or stop gambling;
• Continuing to gamble in an attempt to recover previous losses;
• Neglecting work, studies, or personal relationships due to time spent gambling;
• Concealing gambling habits from family members or close friends;
• Gambling as a primary way to cope with stress, anxiety, or low mood;
• Failed repeated attempts to control or limit betting behavior;
• Experiencing guilt or regret after gambling sessions;
• Preoccupation with gambling, including constant thoughts about the next session.

Gambling addiction is a recognized condition that can have serious consequences for mental health, finances, and relationships. Early intervention leads to better outcomes.

Addressing a gambling problem takes time, honesty, and the right tools. Stake provides several practical options to support players in Iceland who need to regain control:

• Use the deposit limit feature to cap how much can be added to your account within a set period;
• Activate a loss limit to restrict how much can be lost during any given session or timeframe;
• Set session time reminders to track how long you have been playing;
• Apply a cooling-off period to temporarily pause access to your account;
• Request a self-exclusion to block access to the platform for an extended duration;
• Avoid chasing losses and accept that losing is part of gambling;
• Seek honest conversations with someone you trust about your gambling habits;
• Contact a professional counselor or therapist who specializes in behavioral addiction;
• Remove stored payment methods to reduce impulsive access to funds;
• Reach out to Stake’s support team to activate protective tools directly on your account.

Professional support is available for anyone in Iceland who may be experiencing gambling-related difficulties. The following organizations provide confidential assistance at no cost:

• Gamblers Anonymous Iceland – a peer support network for individuals affected by compulsive gambling;
• Heilsugaeslan (Primary Health Care) – Iceland’s primary healthcare service, which can refer patients to addiction specialists;
• SÁÁ – Samtök áhugafólks um áfengis- og vímuefnavandann – an Icelandic organization offering counseling and support for addiction, including gambling;
• Rauði Krossinn á Íslandi (Icelandic Red Cross) – provides social support and referrals to appropriate care services;
• European Gambling and Betting Association Resources – guidance on responsible gambling tools and self-help frameworks available across Europe.

Players in Iceland who are concerned about their gambling habits can contact Stake’s support team at any time. The support team can assist with activating account limits, cooling-off periods, and self-exclusion options directly.

Available contact methods include:

• Live Chat: accessible directly through the Stake website for immediate assistance;
• Email Support: players can submit a detailed request through the platform’s official support email;
• Help Center: Stake’s online Help Center contains step-by-step guidance on all responsible gaming tools and account controls.