Responsible Gaming

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

• All Windows computers can be set up to have password control so that you must enter a password to get to the desktop. 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 Stars ID 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 contact Support and we will get right on it. Our first step is to investigate, and if warranted, freeze the customer's account and request identification from that customer. 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.

• We offer 12-hour and 24-hour cooling off periods as well as 7 day, 30 day, 60 day, and 120 day time out periods. You will not be able to bet with us. Once you click the button that requests a time out or a self-exclusion period the time out or self-exclusion period will begin. If you have poker or gaming tables open, you will be asked to close them. Once you’ve done that you will not be able to deposit or make inter-account transfers with your Stars Account. Furthermore, you will not receive any marketing emails or newsletters from us.
• 6-month self-exclusion. This is identical to the other time out periods, except that we will ask you to withdraw any funds from your Stars Account. In addition, you will not be automatically reinstated. If you want to return, you can contact Support any time after your self-exclusion period has passed.
• Self-exclusions longer than 6 months, and permanent self-exclusions. If you wish to self-exclude yourself longer than 6 months, or permanently self-exclude yourself, please contact Support.
• Customers who self-exclude themselves when they still have an open bet will have the bet settled as normal.
• 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.

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.

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.

Restricting sports betting

Setting betting limits provide individual players with an opportunity to control their spending by limiting themselves from betting at various stakes.

You can limit your betting by using the Responsible Gaming menu located under ‘Tools’ > ‘Responsible Gaming’ > ‘Restrict Sports Stake Limit’ on desktop, and under ‘More’ > ‘Tools & Settings’ in the app. There is also the option to block yourself completely from sports betting within this menu, by choosing ‘Don’t Play’.

You can also login to your account through our website. From the ‘Account’ menu, you can access our Responsible Gaming tools.

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 behaviors, 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.