Make room for breaks and a clear budget
Choose the time and money you want to spend before the first spin.
Start with your own spending limit
Choose an amount from your leisure budget that you are comfortable spending on the session. Keep money for bills, savings and everyday needs set aside. Decide your limit before opening the game, then finish when that amount is spent. A written figure is easier to follow than a decision made between spins.
Keep that budget for the whole session, including any feature purchases you choose. Treat each amount staked as part of the same total. Your planned finish time still applies when there is money left in the session budget.
Give the session a finish time
Choose a stopping time and set a reminder before you begin. Take regular breaks away from the screen so there is space for other activities. A short walk, a drink of water or a conversation with a friend can make a break feel like a proper change of pace.
Slots are games of chance. Keep the purpose of a session as entertainment and make the next day’s plans around your ordinary income and commitments. Leaving the game at your chosen time is a complete session, whatever the last round’s result.
Ask the casino about account limits
Contact the casino’s support team about deposit limits, time reminders and cooling-off options for your account. Ask how each setting works and when a change takes effect. Choose settings that fit the budget and time you have already decided on.
For a longer break, ask the casino about self-exclusion. Discuss the period you want, the accounts it covers and the steps to activate it. Keep the confirmation for your own records. A trusted person can also help you make space for the break in your routine.
Talk to someone in the Philippines
The National Problem Gambling Helpline, NPGH, offers support for people with gambling concerns and for their families. Call its landline, (02) 8248 9568, to start a conversation about the support you want.
You can call about yourself or someone you care about. Start with what has prompted you to reach out and ask about the next step that suits your situation. Taking time to talk is a useful step in its own right.