Our Commitment to Safer Gambling
At Spinko, we are deeply committed to promoting responsible gambling practices. We understand that for most of our players, gambling is a form of entertainment, a fun and occasional pastime. However, we also recognise that for a small percentage of individuals, gambling can become problematic. Our policy is designed to minimise the potential for harm and to provide tools and resources to help our players maintain control over their gambling activities.
We operate under strict regulatory guidelines and continuously review our procedures to ensure they align with the highest standards of player protection. This commitment is integral to our business model and reflects our dedication to creating a safe and enjoyable environment for everyone who chooses to play with Spinko. We believe that a responsible approach benefits not only our players but also the integrity and sustainability of the online gaming industry as a whole.
Recognising the Signs of Problem Gambling
Problem gambling can manifest in various ways, and it is important to be aware of the signs, both in oneself and in others. It is not always about losing large sums of money, but rather about the impact gambling has on a person's life, finances, relationships, and mental well-being. Some common indicators include:
- Spending more money or time on gambling than intended.
- Feeling a need to be secretive about gambling activities.
- Chasing losses, trying to win back money that has been lost.
- Gambling affecting work, school, or family responsibilities.
- Borrowing money or selling possessions to gamble.
- Feeling anxious, irritable, or depressed due to gambling.
- Repeated unsuccessful attempts to cut down or stop gambling.
- Neglecting personal care or social activities in favour of gambling.
If you recognise any of these signs in yourself or someone you know, it may be time to seek assistance. Spinko encourages open communication and provides access to support tools.
Keeping Gambling Fun and Under Control
Maintaining control over your gambling is key to ensuring it remains an enjoyable activity. We recommend several strategies to help you stay in control:
- Set a budget: Decide how much money you can afford to lose before you start playing and stick to it. Never gamble with money you need for essential expenses.
- Set a time limit: Determine how long you will play and adhere to that limit, regardless of whether you are winning or losing.
- Do not chase losses: Accept that losses are part of gambling and do not try to win back what you have lost by increasing your stakes or playing for longer.
- Balance gambling with other activities: Ensure gambling does not become your sole form of entertainment. Maintain a healthy balance with other hobbies and social interactions.
- Avoid gambling when stressed or upset: Emotional states can impair judgment and lead to impulsive decisions.
- Take regular breaks: Step away from the game periodically to clear your head and reassess your situation.
These simple guidelines can significantly contribute to a healthier and more enjoyable gambling experience at Spinko.
Setting Deposit, Loss and Wager Limits
Spinko provides a range of personal limit-setting tools to help you manage your play proactively. These limits can be set for daily, weekly, or monthly periods and are designed to give you control over your spending and activity.
- Deposit Limits: You can set a maximum amount of money you are allowed to deposit into your Spinko account over a specified period. Once this limit is reached, you will not be able to deposit further funds until the period resets.
- Loss Limits: This feature allows you to set a maximum amount of money you are willing to lose within a defined timeframe. If your net losses (stakes minus wins) reach this limit, you will be prevented from placing further wagers until the period concludes.
- Wager Limits: You can establish a maximum total amount you wish to wager over a chosen period. This helps control the overall volume of your betting activity.
Any increase to an existing limit will typically take effect after a cooling-off period, in line with regulatory requirements, to prevent impulsive decisions. Decreases to limits usually take effect immediately. You can access and adjust these limits through your account settings on the Spinko platform.
Time-Outs and Cool-Off Periods
If you feel you need a short break from gambling, Spinko offers Time-Out and Cool-Off options. These features allow you to temporarily restrict access to your account for a defined period without needing to self-exclude for a longer term.
- Time-Out: This option allows you to take a break for shorter durations, such as 24 hours, 48 hours, 7 days, or 30 days. During a Time-Out, you will not be able to log in to your Spinko account or place any bets.
- Cool-Off Period: Similar to a Time-Out, a Cool-Off period typically lasts for a slightly longer duration, often up to 6 weeks. During this time, your account will be inaccessible.
Once a Time-Out or Cool-Off period is activated, it cannot be reversed until the chosen duration has passed. This ensures that the break provides the intended opportunity for reflection and control. You can initiate a Time-Out or Cool-Off directly from your account settings.
Self-Exclusion Options
For individuals who feel their gambling has become problematic and requires a more significant intervention, Spinko offers a Self-Exclusion program. Self-Exclusion is a formal request to be prevented from using our gambling services for an extended period.
- Self-Exclusion Durations: You can choose to self-exclude for periods ranging from six months to five years, or even permanently.
- Effects of Self-Exclusion: Once activated, your Spinko account will be closed, and you will be blocked from accessing our platform. We will also take reasonable steps to prevent you from opening new accounts with us during the self-exclusion period.
- Marketing Communications: All marketing and promotional materials from Spinko will cease during your self-exclusion.
- Reactivation: Once your chosen self-exclusion period has ended, you will need to contact our customer support team to request account reactivation. A review process will be undertaken, which may include a further cooling-off period, before your account can be considered for reopening.
We recommend considering self-exclusion seriously if you are struggling to control your gambling. Our customer support team can provide guidance on this process.
Protecting Minors
Spinko is strictly committed to preventing underage gambling. Our services are intended for individuals who are 18 years of age or older, or the legal age of majority in their jurisdiction, whichever is higher. We employ robust age verification procedures during the account registration process and conduct ongoing checks to ensure compliance.
- Verification Checks: We utilise third-party age verification services to confirm the age and identity of our players. Any account suspected of being operated by a minor will be immediately suspended and investigated.
- Parental Responsibility: We encourage parents and guardians to take an active role in protecting minors from accessing gambling websites. This includes using filtering software and monitoring internet usage.
- Reporting Underage Gambling: If you suspect that a minor is using Spinko's services, please contact our customer support team immediately. All reports will be treated with the utmost seriousness and investigated thoroughly.
Protecting children is a shared responsibility, and Spinko is dedicated to upholding its part.
Reality Checks and Session Reminders
To help you monitor the time you spend gambling, Spinko offers Reality Checks and Session Reminders. These tools are designed to provide periodic notifications during your gaming sessions.
- Reality Check Pop-ups: You can set a time interval (e.g., every 30 minutes, 60 minutes) after which a pop-up message will appear on your screen. This message will display information such as the duration of your current session and your net winnings or losses during that session.
- Action Options: When a Reality Check appears, you will typically be given options to continue playing, review your account history, or log out. This provides an opportunity to pause, reflect, and decide whether to continue or take a break.
Reality Checks are a simple yet effective way to stay aware of your gambling activity and prevent losing track of time while playing at Spinko.
Taking a Self-Assessment
If you are unsure whether your gambling habits are becoming problematic, taking a self-assessment can be a helpful first step. This involves answering a series of questions honestly to gain insight into your gambling behaviour. While not a definitive diagnosis, it can indicate if you might benefit from further support.
Consider the following questions:
- Do you spend more money or time gambling than you intended?
- Have you ever tried to stop or cut down on your gambling, but been unsuccessful?
- Do you feel anxious, guilty, or depressed after gambling?
- Has gambling caused problems in your relationships or work/school life?
- Do you feel the need to gamble with larger amounts of money to get the same excitement?
- Have you ever lied to cover up the extent of your gambling?
- Do you think about gambling a lot, even when you are not playing?
If you answered yes to several of these questions, it may be beneficial to explore the support resources available. Spinko encourages players to be proactive about their well-being.
Hvar á að leita hjálpar
Ef spilamennskan er hætt að vera skemmtileg er ókeypis og trúnaðaraðstoð í boði. Þessi samtök eru óháð þessari síðu og öllum rekstraraðilum:
Innlend aðstoð: Ísland
- SÁS (Samtök áhugafólks um spilafíkn)
- Red Cross Helpline 1717 · Hjálparsími: 1717
- Sjálfsútilokun: Operator self-exclusion (no national register)
Alþjóðleg aðstoð (öll lönd)
- Gambling Therapy (free global online support in 30+ languages)
- GamCare, National Gambling Helpline · Hjálparsími: 0808 8020 133
- Gamblers Anonymous (international 12-step fellowship, find local meetings)