Responsible Gambling

Shikaka takes responsible gambling seriously. We believe online gaming should remain an enjoyable form of entertainment, never a source of financial hardship or personal distress. Our platform includes comprehensive tools and safeguards designed to help you maintain control over your gambling activity.

We work closely with our licensing authority to ensure our responsible gambling measures meet the highest industry standards. Our customer support team receives regular training on problem gambling indicators and intervention techniques. We also contribute to research initiatives that advance understanding of gambling-related harm and prevention strategies.

Problem gambling can develop gradually, making early signs easy to overlook. Warning indicators include spending more money than you can afford to lose, gambling to recover previous losses, or feeling anxious when unable to gamble. Other concerning behaviours include neglecting work, family, or social responsibilities to gamble, borrowing money to fund gambling activities, or lying about the extent of your gambling.

Physical symptoms may include sleep disruption, changes in appetite, or increased irritability. If gambling stops feeling fun and starts feeling necessary, this represents a significant shift that warrants attention. Friends and family members often notice changes in behaviour before the individual does.

Successful gambling management starts with treating it as paid entertainment rather than an investment opportunity. Set a budget before you begin playing and stick to it regardless of wins or losses. Never gamble with money earmarked for essential expenses like rent, groceries, or bills.

Take regular breaks during gaming sessions. Avoid gambling when you feel stressed, depressed, or under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Keep track of the time and money you spend gambling. Consider gambling a leisure activity with a cost, similar to going to a movie or dining out.

Shikaka provides mandatory spending controls that help you manage your gambling budget effectively. You can set daily, weekly, or monthly limits on deposits, losses, and individual wagers. These limits take effect immediately when reduced but require a cooling-off period when increased, preventing impulsive decisions during emotional moments.

Loss limits track your net losses over your chosen timeframe, automatically suspending your account when reached. Wager limits control the maximum amount you can stake on individual bets or spins. Once set, these limits cannot be removed instantly, giving you time to reconsider any changes to your gambling boundaries.

Sometimes you need a break from gambling without permanently closing your account. Our time-out feature allows you to suspend your account for periods ranging from 24 hours to six weeks. During this time, you cannot access your account, make deposits, or place bets.

Cool-off periods provide longer breaks, typically lasting between six weeks and six months. These extended breaks help you reassess your relationship with gambling and develop healthier habits. Your account remains secure during these periods, and any remaining balance stays protected.

Self-exclusion represents the most comprehensive form of gambling restriction. When you self-exclude from Shikaka, we immediately close your account and prevent you from creating new accounts. This exclusion typically lasts for a minimum of six months, though you can choose longer periods.

We remove you from all marketing communications and block access to our website and mobile applications. Our systems flag your personal details to prevent circumvention attempts. Self-exclusion decisions cannot be reversed during the chosen period, ensuring the protection remains in place even during moments of weakness or regret.

Shikaka maintains strict age verification procedures to prevent underage gambling. We require identity verification before processing any withdrawals and may request additional documentation at any time. Our systems automatically block access attempts from users who cannot prove they meet the minimum legal gambling age.

Parents and guardians can install filtering software to block access to gambling websites on shared devices. We encourage adults to keep their account credentials secure and log out after each session, especially when using shared computers or mobile devices. Any suspected underage gambling activity results in immediate account suspension and investigation.

Extended gambling sessions can distort your perception of time and spending. Our reality check system sends periodic notifications showing how long you have been playing and how much you have wagered during your current session. You can customise the frequency of these reminders based on your preferences.

These pop-up notifications pause your gaming activity and display your session statistics clearly. You can choose to continue playing, take a break, or end your session entirely. Regular reality checks help maintain awareness of your gambling activity and prevent the tunnel vision that can develop during intense gaming periods.

Regular self-assessment helps you monitor your gambling habits objectively. Consider questions about your motivations for gambling, the impact on your finances and relationships, and your emotional state while playing. Honest self-reflection often reveals patterns that might otherwise go unnoticed.

Professional screening tools can provide structured assessment of your gambling behaviour. These questionnaires evaluate various risk factors and provide personalised feedback about your gambling patterns. If assessment results suggest potential problems, consider seeking professional guidance or implementing stricter account controls on your Shikaka account.

If gambling stops being fun, free and confidential help is available. These organisations are independent of this site and of any operator:

International support (any country)

• Gambling Therapy (free global online support in 30+ languages)
• GamCare, National Gambling Helpline · Helpline: 0808 8020 133
• Gamblers Anonymous (international 12-step fellowship, find local meetings)