Table of Content 12
Before your first deposit
-
Budget
Decide what you can afford to lose this month and treat it as spent.
-
Limits
Set a deposit limit in the account before you claim any bonus.
-
Small
Deposit a small amount at an unknown casino and request a small withdrawal early.
-
Time
Set a session reminder or time limit, and stop when it ends.
-
Help
If it stops being fun, stop, and call the NCPG Helpline on 1800-6-668-668.
So what
Why new casinos need extra care
-
No track record
A new casino has not had time to show how it handles withdrawals and complaints. Keep your first deposit small.
-
Large offers, long wagering
Big welcome packages usually carry high wagering, which keeps you betting long after the deposit is gone.
-
Offshore casinos
Singapore's exclusion schemes cover the local casinos and licensed operators. Offshore casinos are outside them; a blocking app is not.
-
Tools from day one
If you cannot set a deposit limit in the account menu, do not deposit.
Full text
Responsible gaming means keeping control of the time and money you spend on gambling, so that it stays entertainment. Casino games are built so that the casino keeps a share of everything staked over time. Over many sessions, players as a group lose; budget for gambling as money you spend, the way you would on a night out.
Set your limits before the welcome offer
Welcome offers at new casinos are often large, and their wagering keeps you playing. A S$100 bonus with 35 times wagering means betting S$3,500 before you can withdraw it. Set a deposit limit before you claim anything, and decide in advance what you will do if you lose your first deposit.
Lowering a limit usually takes effect at once. Raising one is often delayed, which gives you time to reconsider.
Test a new casino with a small amount
Deposit an amount you would accept losing if a withdrawal failed. Then request a small withdrawal early, before you build a balance, to the same method you deposited with. How the casino handles that first cash-out tells you more than its homepage. Our How we review page explains the six checks to run before a first deposit.
Habits that help
- Play with money left after bills and savings, never with borrowed money.
- Decide how long you will play before you start, and stop when the time is up.
- Do not chase losses by raising your stakes.
- Take breaks, and do not play when you are upset, tired or have been drinking.
- Keep gambling as one activity among others.
Warning signs
Chasing losses, borrowing to gamble, hiding how much you play, or feeling restless when you try to stop are signs that gambling is becoming a problem. Our addiction help page lists the nine signs doctors use and what to do first.
Blocking tools
Self-exclusion at a casino closes your account there and nowhere else. To block gambling sites on a whole device, use an app such as BetBlocker, which is free, or Gamban.
Age
The minimum age for gambling in Singapore is 21. Casinos can ask for ID at any time, and new casinos often do before the first withdrawal. If children use your devices, parental controls and blocking apps keep them away from gambling sites.
In Singapore
Singapore licenses no online casinos, and gambling with an unlawful remote operator is an offence under the Gambling Control Act 2022, with a fine of up to S$10,000, up to six months in prison, or both.
The National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) runs self-exclusion, family exclusion and third-party exclusion schemes and voluntary visit limits. They cover Singapore's two casinos and the local operators allowed to offer gambling; offshore online casinos are outside them.
- Apply for self-exclusion through NCPG if you want to stop gambling locally.
- Use a blocking app for online casinos.
- Keep casino money separate from money for rent, bills and family.
- Never borrow to play, including from licensed moneylenders.
The tools to look for in your account
Most licensed casinos offer some or all of these. Look for them before you deposit.
| Tool | What it does | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
| Deposit limit | Caps how much you can deposit per day, week or month | Before your first deposit |
| Loss limit | Stops play once you have lost a set amount | When you start playing regularly |
| Session limit or reality check | Logs you out or reminds you after a set time | Every session |
| Time-out | Locks the account for a short break, from a day to a few weeks | After a heavy loss or a bad day |
| Self-exclusion | Closes the account for months or years at that casino | When you want to stop playing there |
| Blocking app | Blocks gambling sites on the whole device | When you want to stop playing anywhere |
Free support
Where to get help
Free and confidential. You do not need to stop gambling before you contact them.
- NCPG Helpline 1800-6-668-668, free, daily 8am to 11pm, with webchat at the same hours. msf.gov.sg ↗
- NAMS The National Addictions Management Service treats gambling addiction. All Addictions Helpline 6-RECOVER (6732 6837). nams.sg ↗
- Gambling Therapy Free online support from a charity, in many languages. gamblingtherapy.org ↗
- BetBlocker Free app that blocks casino and betting sites on your devices. betblocker.org ↗
Services checked on their own sites in October 2026.
Responsible gaming questions
What limits should I set at a new casino?
A deposit limit before your first deposit, then a loss limit and a session time limit. Set them lower than you think you need; lowering a limit usually applies at once, while raising one is often delayed.
Should I take the welcome bonus?
Only if you have read the wagering. A bonus with 35 times wagering on S$200 means betting S$7,000 before you can withdraw it, which keeps you playing far longer than you planned.
What if a casino has no limit tools?
Treat it as a warning and do not deposit. Deposit limits and self-exclusion should be in the account menu from the first day.
Does self-exclusion at one casino block the others?
No. It closes your account at that casino only. To block every gambling site on a device, use a blocking app such as Gamban or BetBlocker.
Is gambling a way to make money?
No. Casino games are built so that the casino keeps a share of all money staked over time. Budget for gambling as money spent on entertainment.
Where can I get help?
The NCPG Helpline, 1800-6-668-668, and its webchat are free and open daily from 8am to 11pm. NAMS treats gambling addiction, and Gambling Therapy offers free support online. See our addiction help page.