Safer play when the rounds are this fast

Free help, any time of day

The NRGP line is run by the South African Responsible Gambling Foundation. Calls are free and confidential, and counsellors can assess what is going on and refer you for treatment. The foundation says its treatment is free too: after a first assessment, people get a set of outpatient counselling sessions, and family members can be supported as well.

Why fast games need extra care

A crash round is over in seconds and a plinko drop in less. With the next round one tap away, it is easy to lose track of how much has gone and how long you have been playing. Nothing about a past round changes the next one: each crash point and each drop is random, so a run of early crashes does not make a big multiplier more likely.

Warning signs worth taking seriously

• Raising your stake straight after a loss to win it back.
• Pushing your Auto Cash Out target higher each round to make up the difference.
• Playing on past the amount or the time you set for yourself.
• Using money meant for rent, food, transport or school fees.
• Borrowing, or selling things, to keep playing.
• Hiding how much you play from the people close to you, or feeling irritable when you cannot play.
• Gambling to escape worry, stress or low mood.

One of these on its own is a reason to pause. Several together are a reason to call the NRGP today.

Setting up a quick-games session

1. 1

   Choose the amount first

   Decide what you can afford to lose before you open the lobby, and treat it as the price of the entertainment.

2. 2

   Fix one stake

   Pick a stake size for the session and keep it. Changing it mid-session is usually the start of chasing.

3. 3

   Set a clock

   Put a timer on your phone. Fast games make an hour feel like ten minutes.

4. 4

   Stop at the line

   When the money or the time runs out, close the tab, win or lose. Do not top up.

5. 5

   Take real breaks

   Step away between sessions, and keep at least some days with no gambling at all.

Limits and self-exclusion at Springbok

Springbok's responsible gaming page says players can set daily or monthly deposit limits and can exclude themselves for a period of their choice, with one month as the minimum. Both are arranged by contacting Springbok rather than through a switch in the lobby. Its support team is reachable by live chat or at help@springbokcasino.co.za, and Springbok's own articles say support can also set up session reminders.

For a walk-through of asking for a deposit limit, see this step-by-step deposit limit guide.