Play for Entertainment, Not Income
Poker should never be viewed as a reliable way to earn money. The official guidance recommends using only money you can afford to lose and not taking part with the expectation that earlier losses will be recovered.
This distinction helps keep poker recreational. Losing money does not mean you need to start another session, increase your stake, or borrow money in an attempt to win it back.
Setting Personal Limits
It is usually easier to stick to a limit when you decide on it before starting to play. Think about the amount you are comfortable spending and the amount of time you can give to this activity without letting it interfere with the rest of your routine.
| Personal limit | Purpose |
| Spending limit | Keep potential losses within an affordable amount |
| Time limit | Prevent play from interfering with daily activities |
| Regular breaks | Create periods away from the tables |
| Responsibility check | Keep work, family, and other obligations separate from play |
| Loss control | Avoid increasing stakes in an attempt to recover losses |
The purpose of these limits is to give poker a clear place in your routine. It should not gradually take over your free time or become a major part of your finances.
Warning Signs to Watch For
Changes in playing habits are easier to address when they are noticed early. The official guidance highlights situations such as difficulties at work, conflicts with family or friends, borrowing money to gamble, and repeatedly returning to play in an effort to recover losses.
Some less obvious changes can also matter. The activity deserves closer attention if you start treating it as a source of income or find that you can no longer set or follow your own limits. When several warning signs appear together, taking a step back can help you reassess the role poker has in your life.
BCPoker Tools for Taking a Break
BCPoker offers two options for players who want to stop playing for some time. For a shorter pause, players can request a seven-day cooling-off period. Self-exclusion provides a longer restriction and blocks access for a minimum of six months.
Promotional material is no longer sent while self-exclusion is active. The official guidance also recommends contacting any other gambling services where you have accounts and asking them to put their own exclusion measures in place. Doing this can help make the break more consistent across different platforms.
Protecting Minors from Gambling Access
Access to gambling is limited to people who meet the applicable legal age requirements and are at least 18 years old. The player is responsible for making sure the relevant age requirement is met.
Shared devices require particular attention. To reduce the risk of minors accessing gambling services, recommended precautions include:
- Protecting computers, smartphones, and tablets with passwords.
- Avoiding leaving a session open when the device is unattended.
- Keeping payment cards and related information away from children.
- Storing passwords where minors cannot access them.
- Using filtering software to limit access to inappropriate websites.
Getting Support When Gambling Becomes Difficult to Manage
You do not have to wait for gambling to become a serious problem before seeking support. Customer Support can help with a self-exclusion request. The responsible gaming guidance also identifies Gamblers Anonymous, Gambling Therapy, and GamCare as external sources of assistance.
Getting help may be the right step if this activity is beginning to affect your finances, relationships, work, or ability to maintain the limits you have set. In such situations, taking a break and speaking with a support service can be more useful than continuing to play in the hope of fixing the problem through further activity.