Playing safely
If you do walk onto a gaming floor, keep it small and keep it light.
Where we stand
This is a hotel guide and we encourage nobody to gamble. Every property on the list earns the trip without a single visit to its casino. If you decide to play anyway, the points below keep things in proportion.
Practical limits
- Check the minimum gambling age where you are — it differs from country to country — and carry ID, because staff will ask.
- Take only cash you are prepared to lose, and leave the cards upstairs.
- Decide when you are stopping before you start, and break off at intervals.
- Treat a loss as spent rather than something to win back, and keep borrowed money out of it entirely.
- Stay away from the tables when you are tired, angry or a few drinks in.
Signs worth noticing
Pay attention if the spending keeps creeping past the figure you set, if you find yourself hiding the play from family or friends, or if days without it leave you tense and short-tempered. Most casinos allow guests to exclude themselves voluntarily; reception or guest services can explain how.
Free, confidential help
- Gambling Therapy — online support and live chat in several languages: gamblingtherapy.org.
- Gamblers Anonymous — peer meetings worldwide, in person and online, run by former gamblers: gamblersanonymous.org.
- GamCare — free advice and treatment referrals: gamcare.org.uk.
- Your national helpline — most countries fund a free line for people affected by gambling; a doctor or local health service can give you the number.
Under 18
Casino floors are closed to minors everywhere, and this guide is written for adult readers. Nothing on the site is intended for anyone under 18.