Warning signs, tools, resources — and how to keep gambling enjoyable
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National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) Singapore
Helpline: 1800-6-668-668 (24 hours · Free · Confidential)
Website: www.ncpg.org.sg
Services available in English and Mandarin. Online chat, counselling, financial counselling, and family support.
Responsible gambling means engaging with gambling as a form of entertainment — within limits you have set in advance, with money you can afford to lose, and without gambling dominating your time, finances, or mental state. Most people who gamble online do so responsibly and without harm. This guide is not about telling you not to gamble — it's about providing the information and tools to keep it that way.
As Raymond Ng, our responsible gambling editor and NCPG-trained counsellor, notes: "The line between recreational gambling and problematic gambling isn't crossed in a single session. It's crossed gradually, through small habit changes — bigger sessions after losses, using savings instead of entertainment money, gambling to escape stress. The habits that prevent this are simple, but they need to be formed early."
The following behaviours indicate that gambling may have crossed from entertainment into a harmful pattern. These are recognised indicators used by the NCPG and international gambling harm organisations:
If you recognise three or more of these signs in your own behaviour, contacting the NCPG helpline is the recommended next step. The service is free, confidential, and non-judgmental.
96M provides a comprehensive set of player protection tools accessible through your account settings. These are not emergency measures — they're normal account management tools that responsible players use proactively:
Deposit Limits
Set daily, weekly, or monthly deposit caps. Once set, cannot be increased for 24–48 hours — preventing impulsive increases during a session.
Loss Limits
Cap the total amount you can lose in a set period. Your account will prevent further play once the limit is reached until the period resets.
Session Time Limits
Set a maximum session length. When the limit is reached, the platform will remind you or require a break before continued play.
Cool-Off Period
Temporarily suspend your account for 24 hours up to 6 weeks. Useful if you need a break without a permanent exclusion.
Self-Exclusion
Remove access to your account for 1 month up to permanent. Suitable when firm boundaries are needed. Cannot be reversed during the exclusion period.
Reality Check
Opt-in pop-up reminders showing your session duration and net win/loss position at intervals you choose. Interrupts the flow state that can make time pass unnoticed.
All limits are accessible through Account Settings → Responsible Gambling. We strongly recommend setting deposit limits before your first deposit rather than during a session — decisions made before play begins are significantly more effective than decisions made mid-session.
For exclusion from Singapore's land-based casinos (Marina Bay Sands and Resorts World Sentosa), the process is separate from online platforms. Contact the Casino Regulatory Authority (CRA) or apply directly at either casino's Exclusion Office. Family members can also apply for a third-party exclusion on behalf of a family member under CRA regulations. The NCPG can assist with the exclusion application process.
National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG)
📞 Helpline: 1800-6-668-668 (24 hours · Free)
Services: Online chat, individual counselling, group therapy, financial counselling, family support programmes. All services confidential and free of charge.
Every casino game has a built-in mathematical advantage for the house. This is not a secret — it's public information. Understanding it removes unrealistic expectations:
Gambling as entertainment means treating expected losses as the cost of the experience — similar to a cinema ticket or dinner. Gambling with the expectation of consistent profit is not sustainable due to these inherent mathematical edges.
For practical gambling habits that keep you in control, read our guide: Safe Online Gambling in Singapore — 5 Habits Every Player Needs. For any questions, contact our editorial team.