The Grid Desk
Responsible gambling
Mines is fast, simple and easy to repeat. Here are the warning signs, practical limits and free support services.
You must be 18 or over (older in some countries) to gamble, and online gambling is not legal everywhere. Check the rules where you live.
Mines rounds take seconds, which makes it easy to play far more rounds than you meant to. Every round carries the house edge, and no choice of mines or picks removes it.
Warning signs
- Spending more than you planned, or more than you can afford to lose.
- Chasing losses, or raising stakes after a mine to "get it back".
- Believing a pattern, a tile or a streak will tell you where the mines are.
- Borrowing money or selling things to keep playing.
- Hiding how much you spend from people close to you.
Practical limits
- Set a budget before you start and treat it as spent.
- Set a round limit or a time limit, not just a money limit.
- Use deposit limits and session reminders where available.
- Never raise stakes to win back losses.
- Use self-exclusion if you need a longer break.
Free, confidential help
- BeGambleAware — information and support (UK).
- Gambling Therapy — free international online support in several languages.
Parents: blocking software and device-level controls can stop under-18s accessing gambling sites.