Responsible Gaming - Sahara Sands Casino
Gambling should be entertainment. When it becomes a burden, the fun stops. Sahara Sands takes responsible gaming seriously and offers tools, resources and support for players who need help.
This page informs about gambling risks, warning signs for problematic behavior, and ways to maintain control or seek help.
What Does Responsible Gaming Mean?
Responsible gaming means that you:
- Only wager money you can afford to lose
- See gambling as leisure activity, not income source
- Set time limits and stick to them
- Never play to recoup losses ("chasing losses")
- Never play under influence of alcohol or drugs
- Regularly reflect on your gaming behavior
Gambling should never cause problems in your life, relationships or finances.
Risks of Gambling
Financial Risks
The most obvious risk: you can lose money. Gambling is never an investment. Long-term, the casino always wins - that's mathematically inevitable (house edge).
Addiction Risk
Gambling can be addictive. Problem gambling is a recognized behavioral addiction that activates similar brain mechanisms as drug or alcohol addiction.
Mental Strain
Problem gambling can lead to stress, anxiety, depression and sleep disorders.
Social Consequences
Excessive gambling can strain relationships, lead to isolation and impair professional performance.
Warning Signs for Problem Gambling
Do you recognize yourself in one or more of these points?
Behavioral Changes
- You play longer or with higher stakes than planned
- You constantly think about gambling, even when not playing
- You play secretly or lie about your gambling behavior
- You neglect work, hobbies or social contacts because of gambling
- You feel restless or irritable when you can't gamble
Financial Warning Signs
- You spend more money than you can afford
- You borrow money for gambling
- You chase losses
- You have debts because of gambling
- You neglect bills to continue gambling
Emotional Warning Signs
- You feel guilt or shame about your gambling behavior
- You gamble to escape negative feelings
- You have mood swings depending on wins/losses
- You feel out of control
Important: If several of these points apply to you, you should consider professional help.
Our Self-Help Tools
Sahara Sands offers various tools to help you maintain control:
1. Deposit Limits
Set daily, weekly or monthly deposit limits. Once you reach this limit, you can't deposit more money until the period expires.
How to activate: Account → Settings → Responsible Gaming → Set Deposit Limit
Limits become active immediately. Increases only take effect after 24-hour waiting period (to protect against impulsive decisions).
2. Loss Limits
Determine the maximum amount you can lose per day, week or month. Once this limit is reached, you're automatically logged out and can't continue playing until period expires.
3. Wager Limits
Limit maximum bet per round or hand. This prevents impulsive, overly high bets.
4. Session Timers & Reminders
Set how long you want to play. You'll receive reminders after the set time. This helps keep track of playtime.
Optional: automatic logout after session time expires.
5. Reality Check
Regular popups show you:
- How long you've been playing
- How much you've deposited
- Current profit/loss of session
Frequency adjustable: every 15, 30, 60 or 120 minutes.
6. Cool-Off Period (Timeout)
Need a break? Activate a cool-off period:
- 24 hours: Account locked for one day
- 48 hours: Two-day break
- 7 days: One week without access
During this time you can't log in. After expiration, your account automatically reactivates.
7. Self-Exclusion
The most serious step: close your account for an extended period.
- 1 month
- 3 months
- 6 months
- 12 months
- Permanent
Important: Self-exclusion CANNOT be reversed during the lock period. Your account remains locked until expiration. With permanent exclusion, the account is permanently closed.
Activation: Contact support via live chat or email ([email protected]) with subject "Self-Exclusion".
Practical Tips for Controlled Gaming
Before Playing
- Set a budget: Decide beforehand how much money you can spend - and stick to it
- Set time limits: Determine how long you want to play
- Play sober: Avoid alcohol or drugs while gambling
- No borrowed money: Never play with money you don't have
While Playing
- Take breaks: Stand up, move, drink water
- Don't chase losses: If you lose, stop - don't keep playing to "win it back"
- Celebrate wins properly: Withdraw winnings instead of wagering them again
- Stay rational: "Winning streaks" and "losing streaks" are chance, not patterns
After Playing
- Reflect: Did you stick to your limits?
- Accept losses: They're part of gambling
- No emotional gambling: Don't play when angry, sad or stressed
External Support Organizations
If you feel you're losing control, don't hesitate to seek professional help. These organizations offer free, confidential support:
Germany
- Federal Centre for Health Education (BZgA): www.bzga.de - Phone: 0800 1 37 27 00 (free)
- Gamblers Anonymous: www.anonyme-spieler.org - Self-help groups throughout Germany
- Addiction & Drugs Hotline: 01805 31 30 31 (24/7 available)
Austria
- Gambling Addiction Help: www.spielsuchthilfe.at - Phone: 01 544 13 57
- Gamblers Anonymous Austria: Meetings in Vienna, Graz, Linz, Salzburg
Switzerland
- SOS Gambling Addiction: www.sos-spielsucht.ch - Phone: 0800 040 080
- Addiction Switzerland: www.suchtschweiz.ch
International
- Gamblers Anonymous: www.gamblersanonymous.org - Active worldwide
- GamCare (UK): www.gamcare.org.uk - Chat & phone support
- BeGambleAware: www.begambleaware.org - Information & self-tests
- Gambling Therapy: www.gamblingtherapy.org - Online counseling in multiple languages
Self-Test - Do I Have a Problem?
Answer these questions honestly for yourself:
- Do you play more frequently or longer than planned?
- Have you unsuccessfully tried to reduce or stop your gambling?
- Do you constantly think about gambling?
- Do you gamble when feeling bad (anxious, guilty, depressed)?
- Do you try to win back losses by continuing to gamble?
- Do you lie to family or friends about your gambling behavior?
- Have you jeopardized important relationships, jobs or opportunities because of gambling?
- Do you borrow money to gamble or pay gambling debts?
- Do you need higher stakes to feel the same excitement?
- Do you feel restless or irritable when trying to gamble less?
Evaluation:
- 0-2 Yes: Low risk, but stay mindful
- 3-4 Yes: Increased risk - consider setting limits
- 5-6 Yes: Problem gambling behavior - use self-help tools
- 7+ Yes: Gambling addiction likely - seek professional help
This test doesn't replace professional diagnosis. When in doubt, contact a counseling center.
Protection of Minors
Gambling is exclusively for adults (18+). Sahara Sands takes youth protection seriously:
- Age verification during registration (KYC)
- Automatic suspension upon suspicion of minors
- No advertising on platforms for children/youth
- Filter programs supported (e.g. Net Nanny, Cyber Patrol)
Tips for Parents
- Use parental controls on devices and browsers
- Talk openly with your children about gambling risks
- Keep credit cards and access data secure
- Monitor your children's online activities
If you suspect a minor has access to our casino, report it immediately: [email protected]
Our Commitment
Sahara Sands commits to responsible gambling:
- Training all staff on gambling addiction warning signs
- Proactive contact when noticing concerning gambling behavior
- No aggressive advertising or "win-back" offers
- Transparent bonus conditions and fair game rules
- Cooperation with support organizations
- Regular review and improvement of our protective measures
If we notice a player might be at risk, we contact them and offer support - even if it means losing a customer. Your wellbeing is more important than profit.
Play Responsibly
Gambling can be fun - as long as you maintain control. Use our tools, set limits, reflect on your behavior. And if you notice it's becoming too much: get help. There's no shame in asking for support. On the contrary: it's a sign of strength.
Need help? Contact us or one of the mentioned support organizations. Nobody has to go through this alone.
