Deposit limits
Cap how much you can add each day, week or month. Lowering a limit usually works at once; raising it takes a waiting period.
Stay in control
Responsible gambling: bet for fun, never for income
We write predictions and review betting sites, so we see how quickly a fun evening on the IPL can turn into chasing losses. This page covers the warning signs, the tools that help you stay in control, and where to find free help in India.
Last updated
Quick overview
- What it means: Betting only for entertainment, with money you can afford to lose, inside limits you set in advance.
- Warning signs: Chasing losses, hiding betting from family, borrowing to bet and feeling restless when you try to stop.
- Free help: Call Tele-MANAS on 14416, the Government of India's free 24-hour helpline. Gamblers Anonymous and Gambling Therapy are also free.
- Tools: Deposit limits and self-exclusion, set up on the betting site itself.
The basics
What is responsible gambling?
Responsible gambling means betting only for entertainment, with money you can afford to lose, inside limits you set before you start. It also means spotting the warning signs early and using the tools that help you take a break.
You must be 18 or older to bet, and the rules on online betting differ across India. Read our guide to betting laws in India before you open any account.
Six rules we follow
How to bet safely
- 1
Bet only what you can afford to lose
Treat a stake as the price of entertainment, like a cinema ticket. Rent, bills, savings and borrowed money are never betting money.
- 2
Set your limits before the match starts
Decide your deposit and loss limit for the week while you're calm, and set it in your account. Limits set mid-match rarely hold.
- 3
Never chase losses
Raising your stake to win back what you lost is how small losses become big ones. If you hit your limit, stop for the day.
- 4
Keep betting separate from your mood
Don't bet when you're angry, low, stressed or have been drinking. Those are the times people make the bets they regret.
- 5
Watch the clock as well as the money
Live betting during a long IPL evening can swallow hours. Use session reminders and take a break between innings.
- 6
Don't see betting as income
Even our best analysts lose plenty of picks. Over time, the bookmaker's margin means most bettors lose money.
Warning signs
What are the signs of a gambling problem?
A gambling problem rarely starts with one big loss. It usually builds slowly, and the people around you may notice before you do. If several of these sound familiar, take the self-check below.
- Betting more often, or with bigger stakes, to get the same excitement
- Chasing losses with another deposit straight away
- Hiding betting from family, or lying about how much you've spent
- Borrowing money, using credit or selling things to bet
- Feeling restless or irritable when you try to cut down
- Missing work, study or family time because of betting
- Thinking about the next bet most of the day
- Betting to escape stress, loneliness or money worries
Two-minute self-check
Is your betting still under control?
Answer honestly. Nobody else sees the result.
Over the last 12 months… (0/8 answered)
- 1.Have you bet more than you could really afford to lose?
- 2.Have you needed to bet larger amounts to get the same excitement?
- 3.Have you gone back another day to try to win back money you lost?
- 4.Have you borrowed money or sold anything to get money to bet?
- 5.Have you felt that you might have a problem with betting?
- 6.Has betting caused you stress, anxiety or sleepless nights?
- 7.Have people close to you criticised your betting?
- 8.Have you felt guilty about the way you bet or what happens when you do?
This check is a guide, not a diagnosis. Your answers stay in your browser and are never saved or sent to us.
Tools that help
How to set limits on betting sites
Every site we recommend must offer these tools, and we switch them on during testing to make sure they work. You'll usually find them under "Responsible gaming" in your account settings. See how we test for details.
Loss and stake limits
Some sites let you cap total losses or the size of a single bet, which stops one bad evening from snowballing.
Reality checks
A pop-up every 30 or 60 minutes that shows how long you've played and what you've won or lost.
Time-outs
Lock your account for a day, a week or a few weeks when you want a break, without closing it.
Self-exclusion
Close your account for six months or longer. The site should refuse new deposits and stop sending you offers.
How do I block betting sites on my phone?
Self-exclusion covers one site at a time. A blocker covers all of them, which matters when new betting apps appear every season. These also work for protecting a family member's device.
BetBlocker
Free software that blocks thousands of gambling sites on phones and computers, for a period you choose.
Gamban
Paid blocking app for Android, iOS, Windows and Mac that covers gambling sites and apps.
Screen Time and Family Link
Built into iPhone and Android. Use them to block betting apps and sites, or to protect a child's phone.
Your bank app
Many Indian banking and UPI apps let you lower your daily transaction limit, which slows down impulse deposits.
Myths and facts
Common betting myths
| Myth | Fact |
|---|---|
| "I'm due a win after a losing run." | Each bet is independent. Past results don't make the next one more likely to win. |
| "A strong tip means a safe bet." | No tip is safe. Even our best-tracked picks lose regularly, which is why we publish the losses. |
| "I can win back what I lost if I bet bigger." | Bigger stakes after losses usually mean bigger losses. Stopping is the only reliable way to cap them. |
| "Live betting rewards fast decisions." | Live markets move quickly so you decide quickly. Slower, planned bets are easier to keep within limits. |
Free, confidential support
Where to get help for problem gambling in India
Tele-MANAS
Government of India mental health helpline. Free, confidential and open 24 hours, in many Indian languages. Call 14416 or 1-800-891-4416.
Call 14416Gamblers Anonymous
A fellowship of people helping each other stop gambling. Free meetings, including groups in Indian cities and online.
Find a meetingGambling Therapy
Free online support and live chat from trained advisers for anyone affected by gambling, wherever they live.
Get online supportWorried about someone else?
Pick a calm moment to talk, and describe what you've noticed without blaming. Avoid paying off their debts, because it often keeps the betting going. Encourage them to call Tele-MANAS or try a Gamblers Anonymous meeting, and look after your own wellbeing too. The helplines above support family members as well.
If the person is under 18, set up Family Link or Screen Time on their phone and add a blocker such as BetBlocker.
Responsible gambling questions
Straight answers on limits, warning signs and getting help.
What is responsible gambling?
Responsible gambling means betting only for entertainment, with money you can afford to lose, within limits you set in advance. It also means knowing the warning signs of a problem and using tools like deposit limits and self-exclusion when you need them.
What are the signs of a gambling problem?
Common signs include chasing losses, betting more to get the same thrill, hiding betting from family, borrowing to bet, and feeling restless when you try to stop. If several of these sound familiar, it's worth talking to someone.
Where can I get help for problem gambling in India?
Call Tele-MANAS on 14416 or 1-800-891-4416, the Government of India's free 24-hour mental health helpline. Gamblers Anonymous runs free meetings, and Gambling Therapy offers free online chat support.
How do I block betting sites on my phone?
Install a blocker such as BetBlocker (free) or Gamban, and use iPhone Screen Time or Android Family Link to block betting apps. Self-exclude from any betting accounts you already have as well.
What is self-exclusion?
Self-exclusion is a tool on betting sites that closes your account for a set period, usually six months or more. During that time the site should refuse deposits and stop sending you promotions. Every site we recommend must offer it.
How old do you have to be to bet?
You must be 18 or older to use any betting site we review, and the law where you live may set other rules. Malik Mumbai is for adults only.
Still unsure? Ask our team
18+ only. Predictions are opinions, not guarantees.
Malik Mumbai is an information site and doesn't take bets. If a site we list ignores a limit or self-exclusion request, tell us and we'll retest it straight away.
Betting basics
Start-here guides on how betting works, the law and keeping it under control.