Free social games are built to be quick and bright, which is exactly why it is easy to keep playing "one more round". A few habits keep the arena fun and stop it eating into the rest of your day.
Set the session before you start
Decide on a limit — say ten or fifteen minutes — and set a timer before your first spin. When it rings, finish the round and close the tab. It sounds simple because it is.
Mind the late-night glow
Neon screens and fast animations are stimulating. Stop at least an hour before bed, lower the brightness in the evening and keep the phone out of the bedroom if you can.
Keep games in their lane
- Play when you want a short break, not to escape stress or a bad mood.
- Do not let games replace sleep, meals, work, study or time with people.
- Avoid playing when you are tired, upset or have been drinking.
- Remember that every result is random and means nothing outside the game.
Signs it is time to log off
- You regularly play much longer than planned.
- You feel restless or irritable when you cannot play.
- You hide how much time you spend on games.
- You have moved from free games to gambling with real stakes and find it hard to stop.
Where to find help
Independent organisations offer free, confidential support: Gambling Therapy (online, worldwide), GamCare (UK, 0808 8020 133) and Gamblers Anonymous. More on our Responsible Play page.