Basic Principles
Rules for responsible gaming enjoyment
By observing the following rules, you will be able to enjoy your gaming without misgivings:
Only play when you are relaxed and concentrated.
Take regular breaks.
Decide your monthly gaming stake in advance. Independently of our standard deposit limits, you may set a lower amount as your own personal limit.
Do not increase the maximum limit which you have decided for yourself later on. (Please note: Customer requests to increase their payment limits up to the standard limit can be implemented only after 72 hours; you may also be contacted under the company’s monitoring programme!)
Before you start playing, decide the winning amount at which you will end the game.
Decide beforehand how high your losses can be.
Never play under the influence of alcohol or medication.
Never play if you are feeling depressed.
Self-control and self-protection
instantthrill offers its users various self-protection measures to ensure responsible gaming enjoyment and informs them of these possiblities. We encourage our customers to use these self-help tools. Self-protection measures requested are taken seriously and are valid for the agreed period of time.
instantthrill sets a maximum deposit limit for its customers.
Personal limit: in addition, instantthrill offers all of its customers the opportunity to reduce their deposit limit to an amount which is below the standard limit. instantthrill will only process requests to increase personal deposit limits after 72 hours at the earliest; requests to reduce limits will be implemented immediately.
Self exclusion: instantthrill are able to exclude themselves from further participation in the gaming line-up or make a request by e-mail. Users can exclude themselves from the gaming line-up for 1 month, 3 months, or an indefinite period of time.
Players protection and Self-Help
Take the reality check!
Most people play for their own entertainment. Gaming to a responsible extent and within one’s own financial means is completely acceptable. For a small percentage of the population, however, games of chance are not a form of entertainment, but a problem which must be taken seriously.
What is problematic gaming behaviour?
Problematic gaming behaviour is defined as behaviour which damages the existence, the work, the financial situation or the health of an individual or their family. This means that long-term gaming is not suitable for the individual’s personal situation and could have negative consequences.
Pathological gaming has been listed as a recognised psychological illness in the international classification systems DSM-IV and ICD-10 since 1980. It is defined as sustained, recurring and often increasing gaming behaviour despite negative personal and social consequences such as debt, breakdown of family relations and impairment of professional development.
When should behaviour be seen as problematic or an addiction?
We would like to stress that diagnoses relating to problematic gaming behaviour can only be made by trained specialists. This page offers material which will allow you to judge and consider your own behaviour.
A particular difficulty with non-substance-related addictions is that it is easy to miss the transition from enjoyment to addiction. There are, however, certain warning signals which can point to a problem. If at least five of the following characteristics can be identified, it is no longer possible to rule out a serious addiction problem:
The player is deeply involved in games of chance. Their thoughts constantly turn to gaming.
The stakes wagered become higher and higher.
Attempts to control/give up gaming are unsuccessful.
The player becomes irritated and frustrated after attempting to reduce the extent of gaming.
Gaming serves as a means of getting away from problems or unpleasant feelings.
The player is trying to regain losses,
lies about their gaming behaviour,
acts illegally,
damages or loses other relationships or their job,
relies on others to give them money.
