What to do if excitement gets out of hand

When the game ceases to be entertainment and begins to control decisions, it is not "willpower" that is needed, but a structured plan. Below are specific steps with timing: now (60 minutes) → today → 24-72 hours → 30 days. The material is not a substitute for professional assistance; if there are risks for you or loved ones - contact the specialists and emergency services of your region.

1) Rapid self-test: Control relaxed if...

You violate your limits (stop loss/time/max rate).

The thought arises "you need to recoup now" or "raise the bet once."

You hide the magnitude of the game/debt from loved ones.

Debts, payday loans, cancellation of conclusions appeared.

The game interferes with work/study/sleep/relationships.

If 2 + points are marked - follow the plan below.

2) STOP in 60 Minutes protocol (today, right now)

0-5 minutes

1. Close the lobby/app and sign out of your accounts.

2. Delete saved cards/autocomplete and quick wallets in the browser/application.

3. Turn on Do Not Disturb on your phone (to prevent triggers from jerking).

5-20 minutes

4) Set timeout/self-exclusion for 24-72 hours in the casino cabinet.

5) In the banking application - if possible, enable blocking of payments under the MCC of gambling and the limit/prohibition of online purchases.

6) Install the site/application blocker (at the device/router level) and block the domains where you played.

20-40 minutes

7) Take "cold" physiology: 10 deep breaths, water, walk for 10 minutes.

8) Write a short message to a trusted person: "I need a break from playing. I put (a) timeout on 72 hours. Help hold the plan."

40-60 minutes

9) Write on the sheet: bankroll, debts, outstanding conclusions, your limits (stop loss = session budget; stop wine = 30-50% of it).

10) Lock in triggers: night/stress/alcohol/social media - what exactly includes you.

💡 Rule: in the next 24 hours - no "check again." Any return = new timeout.

3) Plan "24-72 hours of cooling"

Day 1

Rest and basic hygiene: sleep, food, water, movement.

Financial minimum: turn off the overdraft, limit transfers "to yourself" between cards, freeze credit cards if they trigger.

Make a list of accounts and the status of the ICC/outputs; unsubscribe/notify the casino and signaling channels.

Day 2

Communication with a loved one: a short conversation "on the facts" (what is happening, what steps have already been taken, what are you asking for - keep cards, remind you of breaks, be near).

Specialist search: psychologist/psychotherapist with expertise in behavioural dependence (CBT/motivational interviewing).

Tech: move casino apps to separate "Locked" folder or delete; passwords - in the manager, 2FA is enabled.

Day 3

Financial inventory (20-30 min): all debts/interest/dates, priority - utility/vital payments.

Contract with yourself: 1 "sprint" maximum on any game day in a week (25 min + 5 min break), only for "free money," rate ≤0,5 -1% of the bank, without bonuses and deadlines. If emotions are higher than 3/5 - cancellation.

4) Barriers that actually work (include at least 5)

1. Self-exclusion/timeouts in accounts (and national registries, if available in your country).

2. Block bank by category of gambling merchants + reduction of card limits.

3. Delete AutoPayments, AutoComplete, and saved cards.

4. Site/application blockers on phone/PC/router.

5. The output lock (prohibition on canceling payout) of the operator, if available.

6. Contract with loved ones: the card/wallet is not kept by you; limits change only together.

7. Hard "game window" (if you return): only during the day, not later than your sleep time.

8. Alcohol/night sessions - under a complete ban.

9. Timers: every 45-50 min - 10 min break; more than two sessions a day - it is impossible.

10. Test-output of a small amount before any active game - cools down and detects problems in advance.

5) If-then scenarios (to keep momentum from winning)

If there was an idea to "recoup," then I instantly turn on the timeout for 24 hours and write to one person "I am in pause."

If it pulls to raise the rate once, then I close the lobby and tomorrow I reduce the base rate by 20%.

If stop loss or stop wines are reached, then immediately exit and break 15 minutes.

If two bodily markers of stress (pulse/sweat/rush), then a pause of 5-10 minutes: breathing, water, air.

If I doubt the domain/certificate/message of "support," then I close the tab - no logins and payments.

6) How to talk to loved ones (short script)

The goal: to get footing, not conflict.

'I'm having trouble controlling the game. I've already put in a 72-hour timeout and blocked payments. Need help: let's keep my cards/limits for a month. I sign up for a specialist. I will report on the plan once a week"

Important: do not ask to "pay off debts" without a general plan and boundaries - this often prolongs the problem. First - blocks and transparency, then - restructuring.

7) Professional help: what to look at

Approaches with proven effectiveness: CBT (work with triggers, impulses, plans), motivational interviewing, family work.

Mutual aid groups/national support lines (look in your country's official directories).

If you have thoughts of self-harm or security threats, contact your region's emergency services immediately.

8) Financial "stabilization" (without complex schemes)

1. 1 sheet table: debts/amount/percentage/minimum payment/date.

2. Priority: housing, utilities, food, mandatory payments → then the rest.

3. Negotiations with the bank: ask for restructuring/credit holidays; don't take new quick credits "to close the hole."

4. Any profit from the game (if it appeared) - partially withdraw immediately; do not use as "fuel."

9) If there was a breakdown

Consider this an episode, not "you ruined everything."

Write down 3 things: what started, what moment was the key, what will you do differently next time.

Include a long timeout (72 hours), reduce the base rate by 20% and return to "sprints" only after a "clean" day.

10) 30-day plan (brief)

Week 1: blocks and pause, sleep/food/movement, specialist selection.

Week 2: Trigger log (once a day 3 minutes), one short session per week according to the rules or a full off-month - which is safer.

Week 3: financial plan, contract with loved ones, revision of limits, disabling marketing mailings.

Week 4: Progress Score: How Many Pulses/Breakdowns There Were, Adherence to Timers and Stop Rules; adjustment (another 20% − the rate or continuation of the pause).

Success metrics: 0 stop loss/stop wine violations, ≤1 impulse without implementation per week, ≤3/5 emotions, no new debts.

11) Checklists (save)

Today

Timeout 24-72 h is on.
Deleted saved maps/autocomplete/apps.
Bank limits/block on gambling payments.
Site blocker is configured.
A message has been sent to a trusted person.

Every game week (if you come back)

No more than 2-3 sessions per week; only in the afternoon.
"Sprint" 25 min + 5 min break; ≤0,5 rate -1% of the bank.
No bonus deadlines; test output before "overclocking."
Logging: Duration, Total, Triggers, Lesson.

12) Rules card on the screen

💡 SL = session budget, SW = 30-50% SL. The → immediate output has been achieved.
"Recoup" → a timeout of 24-72 hours and close the lobby.
Alcohol/night → game cancelled.
Any doubt about the domain/certificate/" support" → close the page, without logins and payments.

You are not obliged to "overpower" the excitement - it needs to be structurally neutralized: urgent stop, technical and financial barriers, support for loved ones, a work plan with a professional. Start with 60 minutes of "sanitizing," secure 24-72 hours of cooling, and you have room for solutions that put control - money, time and relationships - back on your side.