Responsible Gambling

Gambling is for adults aged 18 and over. It should never be treated as income, a solution to debt or a way to recover previous losses. If gambling is affecting your money, time or relationships, pause and seek independent support. You do not need to wait for a crisis to ask for help.

Start With Limits You Can Keep

Only use money you can afford to lose after essential spending. Set a spending limit and a time limit before you start, and treat both as boundaries rather than targets. A bonus, approaching fixture or previous loss is not a reason to increase them.

  • Keep rent, bills, food and repayments separate from gambling money.
  • Do not borrow or use someone else's money to fund gambling.
  • Take breaks and avoid gambling when distressed or unable to make clear decisions.
  • Keep track of total spending across accounts, not just the result of the last session.

Recognise when gambling is becoming harmful

Chasing losses, hiding activity, neglecting commitments and repeatedly exceeding your limits are reasons to stop and seek support. Harm can also affect someone who has not lost a large amount. The impact on your daily life matters, not a particular financial threshold.

GambleAware provides information, practical tools and routes to independent help, including support for family and friends.

Use account and payment controls

Ask your operator about deposit limits, time-outs and self-exclusion. Ask your bank about available gambling-payment controls, and consider independent blocking tools. Check the coverage and limitations of each measure rather than assuming a restriction on one account applies everywhere.

Do not move to a new operator or jurisdiction to get around an exclusion or limit. A Curaçao licence does not make a product suitable for someone trying to stop gambling.

If someone else's gambling affects you

You can seek support for yourself without waiting for the person gambling to do so. Protect essential household finances, avoid taking on gambling debts on their behalf, and speak to an independent service about the situation. A calm conversation and clear boundaries can be a starting point, but you do not have to manage the problem alone.

Our role as a publisher

CuracaoBookies provides information, not treatment or account controls. We cannot close a bookmaker account, apply a bank block or recover a balance. Our comparisons should never encourage borrowing, loss-chasing or bypassing safeguards.

For free, confidential help and services relevant to you, visit GambleAware's support resources. If there is immediate danger to you or someone else, contact your local emergency service. This page is general information, not a substitute for professional care.

Read our editorial approach for how these principles apply to the site.

Questions About Gambling Support

Do I need to lose a lot of money before asking for help?

No. If gambling is worrying you, affecting your relationships or becoming difficult to stop, you can seek support now. There is no minimum loss you need to reach. GambleAware offers information and support routes for people concerned about their own gambling and for family or friends.

Where can I speak to someone about my gambling?

GamCare's National Gambling Helpline offers free support on 0808 8020 133 and through live chat, available 24 hours a day. You can ask about your own gambling or someone else's. If you or another person is in immediate danger, contact your local emergency service instead of waiting for an editorial reply.

Can I get support if it is my partner who gambles?

Yes. Support is available for people affected by someone else's gambling, not only the person placing bets. You do not need their agreement to ask for help for yourself. GamCare can help you explore the available support. Protect essential household spending and avoid taking on further gambling debts.

Will CuracaoBookies close my gambling accounts?

No. We do not operate the accounts and cannot apply account restrictions or payment blocks for you. Contact the operator about closure or self-exclusion and ask your bank about gambling-payment controls. Check what each measure covers. Do not open another account to work around an exclusion or a limit.

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