Responsible Gambling at Sky City

Sky City is committed to providing safe and responsible gaming environment for all players. While online casino gaming is entertaining pastime for millions, we recognize it can become problematic for some individuals. This page outlines our approach to responsible gambling and the tools available to help maintain healthy gaming habits.

Gaming should always be fun form of entertainment, not way to make money or escape from problems. When approached responsibly with proper limits and awareness, online casino gaming provides enjoyable recreational activity. Our goal is helping players maintain that healthy balance.

We take responsible gambling seriously because we care about our players' wellbeing. The tools, resources, and information on this page are designed to support safe gaming practices and provide help when needed.

What is Responsible Gambling?

Responsible gambling means gaming in controlled way as entertainment rather than necessity. It involves setting limits on time and money spent, being aware of risks, and recognizing when gaming stops being fun.

Key Principles of Responsible Gaming

Gamble only with money you can afford to lose. Never use funds intended for bills, rent, food, or other essential expenses. Gaming budget should come from disposable income allocated for entertainment.

Set limits before you start playing and stick to them. Decide in advance how much time and money you'll spend, then stop when you reach those limits regardless of whether you're winning or losing.

Never chase losses. Losing is part of gaming and trying to win back what you've lost by betting more usually leads to bigger losses. Accept losses as cost of entertainment and move on.

Don't gamble when emotional, upset, or under influence of alcohol or drugs. Make gaming decisions when you're clear-headed and in positive frame of mind.

Take regular breaks during gaming sessions. Step away from games periodically to maintain perspective and avoid getting too absorbed in the activity.

Healthy Gaming vs Problem Gaming

Responsible Gaming Tools at Sky City

We provide comprehensive set of tools to help players maintain control over their gaming activity. These features are available in your account settings and can be adjusted anytime.

Deposit Limits

Set maximum amount you can deposit within specific timeframe - daily, weekly, or monthly. Once limit is reached, you cannot add more funds until the period resets or you request limit increase.

Limit increases are not immediate. There's mandatory cooling-off period (usually 24-48 hours) before increased limit takes effect. This delay prevents impulsive decisions made in heat of moment.

Limit decreases take effect immediately, allowing you to quickly reduce exposure if you feel you need tighter controls.

How to set deposit limits: Login to your account, navigate to Responsible Gaming section in settings, select Deposit Limits, choose your timeframe and amount, confirm your selection.

Time and Session Limits

Set limits on how long you play in single session or total time spent gaming over period. System will alert you when approaching your limit and can automatically log you out when limit is reached.

Reality checks remind you how long you've been playing at regular intervals. Pop-up notification shows your session duration and gives you opportunity to stop or continue. These reminders help maintain awareness of time spent gaming.

Loss Limits

Cap the maximum amount you can lose within specific period. System tracks your net losses and prevents further gaming once limit is reached. This tool provides hard stop on potential losses.

Loss limits consider net results (wins minus losses) rather than just total bets. If you deposit $100 and your loss limit is $50, you can keep playing until you've lost $50 net, regardless of how much you've actually wagered.

Self-Exclusion

Self-exclusion completely blocks access to your Sky City account for period you specify. Options typically include 6 months, 1 year, 2 years, or permanent exclusion.

During self-exclusion period, you cannot access your account, deposit funds, or play games. Any active bonuses are forfeited. Withdrawing remaining balance is usually allowed at time of self-exclusion.

Self-exclusion is serious commitment and cannot be reversed until period expires. This irreversibility is intentional - it prevents impulsive decisions to resume gaming before you're ready.

To activate self-exclusion: Contact support at [email protected] or use self-exclusion option in Responsible Gaming settings. You'll be asked to confirm understanding that this cannot be reversed.

Reality Check Feature

Customize frequency of reality check notifications (every 30 minutes, hourly, etc). When notification appears, it shows how long you've been playing and your current balance. You can then choose to continue playing or take break.

Reality checks seem simple but they're surprisingly effective at maintaining awareness. It's easy to lose track of time when absorbed in games - regular reminders help you stay conscious of your activity.

Recognizing Problem Gaming

Understanding warning signs of problem gaming is crucial for early intervention. Not everyone who games experiences problems, but awareness of risk factors helps identify issues before they escalate.

Common Warning Signs

Spending more time or money on gaming than you can afford. Repeatedly breaking self-imposed limits or promising to stop but continuing anyway.

Borrowing money to gamble or gaming with money needed for essential expenses. Lying to family or friends about how much time or money you spend gaming.

Neglecting work, family responsibilities, or personal relationships due to gaming. Feeling restless, irritable, or anxious when trying to cut down or stop gaming.

Gaming to escape problems, relieve feelings of helplessness, guilt, anxiety, or depression. Chasing losses by returning to try to win back money lost.

Feeling need to gamble with increasing amounts to achieve same excitement. Thinking constantly about gaming even when not playing.

Risk Factors

Certain factors increase risk of developing gaming problems. History of mental health issues, substance abuse, or other addictive behaviors. High stress levels or major life changes.

Easy access to gaming combined with disposable income can enable excessive gaming. Social isolation or lack of alternative hobbies and activities.

Early big wins can create false expectation that winning is common or sustainable. This "beginner's luck" sometimes leads people to chase that initial success.

Self-Assessment Questions

Ask yourself these questions honestly. Multiple "yes" answers suggest you should consider seeking help:

Do you gamble longer than you intended? Do you feel guilty about your gaming? Have you tried to cut down but couldn't? Do you gamble to forget worries or problems?

Has gaming caused problems with family or friends? Do you think about gaming constantly? Have you borrowed money to gamble? Has gaming affected your work performance?

Do you feel restless when trying to cut down? Have you lied about your gaming activity? Do you chase losses trying to break even?

Getting Help and Support

If you recognize problem gaming signs in yourself or someone close to you, help is available. Reaching out for support is sign of strength, not weakness.

New Zealand Support Resources

Problem Gambling Foundation of New Zealand provides free, confidential help for anyone affected by gambling problems. They offer counseling, support groups, and resources for recovery.

Helpline: 0800 664 262 (available 24/7)
Website: pgf.nz
Text: 8006

Gambling Helpline offers immediate phone support and can connect you with local services in your area. Trained counselors provide judgment-free support and guidance.

Helpline: 0800 654 655 (available 24/7)
Website: gamblinghelpline.co.nz

Your GP or mental health professional can also provide referrals to appropriate treatment services. Many people find that addressing underlying mental health issues helps with gaming problems too.

Support for Family and Friends

Problem gaming affects more than just the player. Family members and friends also experience impact and need support. Resources are available specifically for loved ones of problem gamblers.

Problem Gambling Foundation offers support services for family members including counseling and support groups. You don't have to deal with loved one's gaming problem alone.

Setting boundaries is important when supporting someone with gaming problem. You can offer emotional support without enabling the behavior financially. Professional counselors can guide you on effective ways to help.

Treatment Options

Counseling and therapy address underlying causes of problem gaming and develop coping strategies. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is particularly effective for gaming problems.

Support groups connect you with others facing similar challenges. Sharing experiences and strategies in supportive environment aids recovery.

Some people benefit from residential treatment programs for serious gaming problems, especially when combined with other issues like substance abuse or mental health conditions.

Recovery is possible with right support and commitment. Many people successfully overcome gaming problems and rebuild healthy relationship with entertainment or choose to avoid gaming entirely.

Underage Gaming Prevention

Sky City strictly prohibits gaming by anyone under 18 years of age. Protecting minors from gaming is legal requirement and moral obligation we take seriously.

Age Verification Process

All players must verify age before making first withdrawal. Identity documents showing date of birth are required. Accounts suspected of belonging to minors are immediately suspended pending verification.

We use advanced verification systems to detect potentially underage players. Suspicious accounts trigger additional verification steps before any gaming activity is permitted.

Guidance for Parents

Parents and guardians should monitor children's internet activity and be aware of online gaming risks. Keep computers in common areas rather than children's bedrooms.

Use parental controls and website filtering to block access to gaming sites. Many internet providers and device manufacturers offer built-in parental control features.

Talk openly with children about gaming and its risks. Education is more effective than just prohibition. Help them understand why age restrictions exist.

Monitor credit card and bank statements for unauthorized charges. If child has accessed gaming sites, contact [email protected] immediately and we'll work with you to resolve the situation.

Tips for Safer Gaming

Following these practical tips helps maintain healthy gaming habits and maximize enjoyment while minimizing risk.

Before You Play

Set entertainment budget specifically for gaming. This should be disposable income you can afford to lose completely without affecting your financial stability.

Decide time limit for your session. Set alarm on your phone if necessary. When alarm goes off, stop playing regardless of whether you're ahead or behind.

Never gamble when you're upset, stressed, tired, or under influence. Your decision-making is impaired and you're more likely to make poor choices.

Make sure you understand the games you're playing. Know the rules, odds, and house edge. Informed players make better decisions.

During Gaming Sessions

Take frequent breaks. Stand up, stretch, do something else for few minutes. This helps maintain perspective and prevents getting too immersed.

Stay aware of time and money spent. Check clock regularly. Know your current balance and how much you've won or lost.

Don't increase bets to chase losses. If you're losing, either accept it and stop or take break. Betting more rarely results in recovery.

Celebrate wins but don't let them cloud judgment. Big win is exciting but it doesn't mean you're "on a roll" or more likely to keep winning.

After Your Session

Reflect honestly on session. Did you stick to your limits? Did you enjoy yourself? If answers are yes, great. If not, consider what went wrong and how to improve.

Don't try to immediately play again to chase losses or "ride a hot streak." Take break, do other activities, come back another day.

Track your gaming activity if it helps you stay accountable. Some people benefit from keeping simple log of dates, amounts, and outcomes.

Sky City's Commitment

We continuously work to improve our responsible gaming measures and stay current with best practices in player protection.

Ongoing Monitoring

Our systems monitor for concerning play patterns that might indicate problem gaming. Unusual activity triggers review and potentially outreach to player offering support resources.

We're not here to judge or prevent people from gaming, but we do intervene when we observe behavior suggesting someone might need help.

Staff Training

All Sky City team members receive training on responsible gaming and how to assist players who may be experiencing problems. Support staff can provide information about available tools and external resources.

We create culture where player wellbeing matters more than revenue. If helping player means losing their business, that's acceptable outcome because their health is priority.

Continuous Improvement

Responsible gaming practices evolve and we evolve with them. We regularly review our policies, tools, and procedures to ensure they reflect current best practices.

Player feedback on responsible gaming features helps us improve. If you have suggestions for how we can better support safe gaming, contact [email protected] with your ideas.

Gaming Should Be Fun

At its best, online casino gaming provides entertainment, excitement, and enjoyment. Keeping it fun requires awareness, limits, and honest self-assessment.

Use the tools available, stay within your means, and don't hesitate to seek help if you need it. There's no shame in recognizing when gaming stops being entertainment and becomes problem.

Sky City is here to provide safe gaming environment and support responsible play. If you ever have concerns about your gaming or need assistance with responsible gaming tools, contact us at [email protected]. Your wellbeing matters to us.