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Why it is important to distinguish between entertainment and addiction
Game entertainment is a controlled hobby with predetermined time and money frames. Addiction - when the game begins to control behavior, finances and relationships, shifting life around it. Distinguishing them is important for three reasons: health, safety, and sustainable product economics. Below is a practical guide for players and operators.
1) Distinction criteria: What healthy entertainment looks like
Healthy entertainment:- The game fits into the schedule and budget (predetermined time/money limits).
- The goal is emotion/interest, not "beat back losses" or "earn extra money."
- There are breaks and days without playing; easy to stop.
- Honest reflection: after the session - neutral/positive emotions, no secrecy.
- Increasing frequency/duration of sessions, ignoring commitments and sleep.
- Constant attempts to "catch up," raising rates after losses.
- Playing for "unattainable" money, debts, conflicts with loved ones.
- Stealth, guilt, obsessive thoughts about the game.
2) Early risk signals (self-test)
Tick the boxes. If 3 or more, pause and lower the limits.
Playing longer/more often than I intended.
I play to "fight back" or relieve stress.
I hide the amounts/time from loved ones.
I borrow or touch money for compulsory needs.
I miss sleep/work/study because of the game.
Angry, ashamed or feeling devastated after the session.
3) The frames that keep the game in the entertainment zone
Money: monthly "entertainment" budget → session limit (2-5% of the monthly).
Time: short windows 15-30 minutes + pauses 10-15 minutes.
Stop rules:- Stop-loss: "Lost X - stop."
- Stop-win: "Plus on Y - I fix and stop."
- Tools: deposit/loss/time limits, quiet hours, activity history.
4) Cognitive traps: how not to confuse chance with "regularity"
"After a series of setbacks, there should be luck" - no, events are independent.
"The slot warmed up/cooled down" is an illusion of patterns.
"I will increase the rate - I will return" - risk escalation, not strategy.
The rational setting is "I pay for time and emotion; winnings are a rare bonus."
5) If there are warning signs: a 5-step plan
1. Stop now. Close the app, stand up, breathe.
2. Write down the fact. How much time/money that provoked. Without self-criticism.
3. Pause/self-exclude for 24 hours (or longer).
4. Review limits (reduce for next period).
5. Ask for support - talk to a loved one or contact a specialist/specialized organizations.
6) For operators: how the product distinguishes entertainment from risk
Risk signals (behavioral markers):- Abnormally long sessions, night activity, sharp deposits "Dogon."
- Growth of unsuccessful deposits, cancellation of limits immediately after installation.
- Frequent calls to support, complaints, ignoring "soft nudges."
1. Soft nudge: time/expense counter + "Set limit" in 1 click.
2. Enhanced nudge: a temporary "care strip" and the sentence "Pause 24 h."
3. Time limit (if allowed in jurisdiction) + mandatory viewing of RG section.
4. Self-exclusion/block with support and links to help.
Guardrails for communications:- Quiet hours, frequency limits; no aggressive copyrights.
- Suppression in CRM for users with pause/self-exclusion/hard limits.
- Fair rules: "200 points/hour limit, reset at 00:00."
7) Language that helps (not shames)
We say this:- "Are you in the game 1 hr 10 min. Take a break?"
- "Today spent €12/€ 30 of your entertainment budget. Do you want to set a daily limit?
- "Pause active until DD. MM 10:00 A.M. Promo notifications are disabled"
- "You're playing too much!"
- "A little more - and lucky!"
- "Miss the chance - regret it!"
8) Health metrics (to the operator in dashboard)
Share of players with set limits; time to first limit.
Using timeouts/self-exclusions; duration of pauses.
Frequency and CTR of "soft nujas"; the proportion of suppressed communications.
Complaints/1k, chargebacks/1k, escalations to the regulator.
The share of revenue from "overheated" patterns should decrease; Retention L30 by limit vs no limit cohorts.
9) Accessibility, privacy, compliance
Simple limit/pause interfaces (1-2 clicks), WCAG contrast, large font.
Separation of PII and behavioral data, encryption, access by role.
Localization: time/currency/formats; RG friendly page.
Clear deadlines for the entry of limits and a transparent log of changes.
10) Short FAQ
Q: Can I play every day?
A: It is possible if it fits into the time/money limits and does not interfere with life. Days without playing are useful.
Q: How do you know it's time to pause?
A: You broke the frames, play "to fight back," hide the amounts, worry - stop and pause.
Q: What to do with the "desire to get your own back"?
A: Acknowledge the emotion and not act. Pause, water, walk, talk.
11) Checklist for the player
- Monthly and session limits are set.
- Timer 15-30 minutes and quiet hours are on.
- Stop rules: Stop-loss/Stop-win.
- After the session - short recording (time/sum/emotion).
- In case of alarm - pause 24 hours and talk with a loved one/specialist.
12) Mini Case (Synthetic)
The operator introduced a time counter, quick limits and "soft nuji" + suppression promo on pause. For 8 weeks (holdout 15%): complaints/1k − 29%, chargers − 18%, the share of players with limits + 16 percentage points, Retention L30 + 2. 1 pp, the share of "overheated" revenue − 11%. Trust is growing - the product is more sustainable.
Entertainment is freedom of choice within a clear framework; dependency is the loss of these frames. It is important for everyone to distinguish them: players - to maintain health and money, operators - to build a long-term, ethical and sustainable product. Limits, pauses, honest language, early signals and an action plan are tools that keep the game in a zone of pleasure and safety. If you feel anxious, pause and seek help.