Signs that gaming is becoming a problem
- You think about playing when you are meant to be doing something else.
- You tell yourself the next round will make up for the last one.
- You have taken a loan, sold something or used someone else's money to keep going.
- Arguments at home are about time or money spent on games.
- You have tried to stop and found you could not.
Even one of these deserves attention.
Practical limits that help
Limits work best when they are set before you start, not in the middle of a session. Pick a time limit and use the built-in tools on your phone, such as Screen Time on iPhone or Digital Wellbeing on Android, to enforce it. Remove saved payment methods from apps and browsers so that spending needs a deliberate step. Talking to family about your limits makes them easier to keep.
What the law says
The rules changed in 2026. Under the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025, and the Online Gaming Rules, 2026, which took effect on 1 May 2026, it is prohibited in India to offer online money games, to advertise them or to process payments for them. Any site or app asking you to deposit money to play deserves great caution. We do not offer legal advice on individual cases.
Predictions and charts do not work
It is natural to look for a pattern, especially after a run of losses. But Money Coming has no memory. The outcome of the next round does not depend on the last ten, and no chart, spreadsheet or prediction tool can tell you what comes next. Systems that tell you to double up after a loss only make losses bigger and faster. The odds stay the same however you play.
Where to get help
If gaming is affecting your mood, money or relationships, reach out. Tele-MANAS, the national mental-health helpline, is free and answers 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, on 14416 or 1-800-891-4416. iCall can be reached on 9152987821 from Monday to Saturday, between 10 am and 8 pm. A trusted person at home can help too, even if the first conversation feels hard.
Blocking tools for families
- Use the family or parental control settings on phones and tablets to limit apps and websites.
- Require a password for app downloads and in-app purchases.
- Turn on safe browsing or content filters in browsers and on the home Wi-Fi router.
- For your own use, install a blocking app or filter as a form of self-exclusion.
Talk to children about why these limits are there.
Last updated: Oct 29, 2026