Gambling should always be an entertainment activity — never a financial strategy, a coping mechanism or a source of stress. by99 is committed to promoting responsible gambling and providing Pakistani users with the knowledge and tools to keep their gaming experience safe, enjoyable and within healthy limits.
These principles underpin every piece of gambling content on by99 and reflect our genuine commitment to user wellbeing above engagement metrics.
Gambling content on by99 is strictly intended for adults aged 18 or above, or the higher minimum age required by the applicable operator or license jurisdiction. Minors must not access, use or engage with any gambling-related content. by99 actively discourages underage gambling and treats this as a non-negotiable boundary.
Setting and respecting a fixed gambling budget is the single most important responsible gambling practice. Before placing any wager, decide on a maximum amount you can afford to lose entirely — and treat that figure as a fixed entertainment cost, not a starting point for recovery. PKR amounts should be realistic relative to your income and obligations.
Prolonged gambling sessions increase risk and reduce decision quality. Set a clear time limit before each session and use platform tools to enforce it. Take regular breaks. If you find yourself losing track of time during gambling sessions or neglecting daily responsibilities in cities like Karachi or Lahore to gamble, this is a warning sign.
Self-exclusion is a formal mechanism that allows users to block themselves from accessing gambling services for a defined period or permanently. All reputable gambling operators offer self-exclusion programs. If you feel your gambling is becoming unmanageable, self-exclusion is a powerful, practical first step. Use it without hesitation.
Problem gambling can develop gradually. Recognising early warning signs — chasing losses, gambling with money needed for bills or family expenses, hiding gambling activity from family members — is critical to getting help before harm escalates. Honest self-assessment is a strength, not a weakness.
If gambling is causing harm to you or your family, please seek professional support. Qualified counsellors, support organisations and helplines are available to assist with problem gambling. by99 encourages all users experiencing gambling-related difficulties to reach out for help — there is no shame in asking for support.
Responsible gambling means approaching any gambling or betting activity with a clear head, a defined budget and an honest understanding of the risks involved. It means treating gambling as one form of entertainment among many — similar to attending a cricket match at the National Stadium in Karachi or watching a PSL T20 match on television — not as a guaranteed income stream or a way to solve financial problems.
For Pakistani users engaging with international online gambling platforms, responsible gambling also means understanding the legal context. Pakistan's Prevention of Gambling Act, 1977, restricts gambling activity. by99 does not claim that online gambling is lawful in Pakistan, and this content is not legal advice. Users must determine and comply with all applicable laws in their jurisdiction.
Responsible gambling is about maintaining control. That control has three dimensions: financial control (knowing exactly how much you can afford to lose), time control (setting session limits and keeping to them), and emotional control (gambling only when you are calm and clear-headed, never to chase losses or escape stress).
by99 provides this guidance because we believe an informed user is a safer user. Our goal is not to maximise how much you gamble — it is to ensure that if you choose to gamble, you do so with the knowledge and tools to protect yourself and your family.
Important Legal Notice: Pakistan's Prevention of Gambling Act, 1977, and related provincial legislation impose significant restrictions on gambling activity. by99 does not represent that online gambling is legal in Pakistan and does not claim endorsement, licensing or authorization from the Government of Pakistan, PTA, State Bank of Pakistan or any Pakistani regulatory body. Users are solely responsible for their legal compliance.
Keeping these principles in mind every time you gamble reduces risk significantly.
Only gamble with money you can genuinely afford to lose — not rent, utility bills, school fees or family savings.
Gambling outcomes are based on chance, not skill or strategy. No system, prediction or streak guarantees a win.
The house always has a mathematical edge. Over time, most players lose more than they win — this is by design.
Chasing losses is the most dangerous gambling behaviour. If you have lost your session budget, stop immediately.
Alcohol, exhaustion and emotional distress all impair judgement. Never gamble in any of these states.
Regular breaks matter. Step away from gambling sessions regularly — even when you are winning.
Responsible gambling operators provide a range of limit tools. Understanding each type helps you use them effectively.
Sets a maximum amount you can deposit per day, week or month. Prevents overfunding your account beyond your budget.
Caps the total amount you can lose within a defined period. When reached, betting is blocked until the period resets.
Restricts the total value of bets placed per session or period, independent of wins and losses.
Automatically ends your gambling session after a set duration. Prevents extended, fatigue-impaired sessions.
A short break (24 hours to several weeks) during which your account is suspended. Useful for resetting after intense sessions.
A formal, longer-term block (months to permanent) for users who feel gambling is seriously out of control.
Self-exclusion is one of the most effective tools available to someone struggling with problem gambling. When you self-exclude from a gambling operator, your account is suspended and you are prevented from depositing or placing bets for the duration you select. Most responsible operators offer:
Access your account on the third-party gambling operator's platform and navigate to their Responsible Gambling or Account Settings section.
Choose a self-exclusion period — options typically range from 6 months to 5 years or permanent. Longer is usually better if you are in crisis.
Most platforms require identity confirmation before activating self-exclusion. Complete any required verification steps.
Self-exclusion is a strong first step, but it works best alongside professional support. Contact a counsellor or support service for ongoing assistance.
If any of these warning signs apply to you or someone you know, please seek professional help immediately. Contact support at [email protected] or reach out to a qualified counsellor in your area.
Set your budget before you start — decide on your maximum loss amount before opening any gambling app or platform. Write it down if needed. This is your hard limit: once it is gone, the session ends.
Use only entertainment funds — gambling money should come solely from your discretionary entertainment budget, not from funds allocated for rent, utilities, education, savings or family obligations.
Set a session time limit — decide how long each gambling session will last before you begin. Use your phone timer if the platform does not enforce it automatically. Stick to the limit regardless of whether you are winning or losing.
Never gamble under the influence — alcohol, certain medications and severe fatigue all reduce inhibitions and impair financial judgement. These states make it significantly harder to respect limits and walk away when you should.
Balance gambling with other activities — gambling should be one entertainment option among many. Maintain your other hobbies, social activities, physical exercise and family time. If gambling starts crowding out everything else, that is a serious warning sign.
Talk openly with family — hiding gambling from family is one of the earliest indicators of problem behaviour. Open communication with trusted family members helps maintain perspective and accountability.
Keep gambling records — track your deposits, wagers and withdrawals in a simple spreadsheet. Seeing your actual financial performance over time, rather than relying on memory which tends to recall wins more than losses, provides an honest reality check.
Use all available limit tools — deposit limits, loss limits, session time limits and cool-off features exist for good reason. Enabling them proactively, before a problem develops, is much easier than trying to apply them in the middle of a damaging pattern.
Honest self-assessment is one of the most important responsible gambling practices. If you answer "yes" to several of these questions, please consider speaking with a support professional.
Have you ever gambled with money that was set aside for essential living expenses — rent, groceries, bills or children's needs?
Have you found yourself gambling for longer than you intended, losing track of time during sessions?
Have you tried to recover gambling losses by placing more bets immediately after a losing session?
Have you concealed the extent of your gambling from your spouse, parents or close family members?
Do you find yourself thinking about gambling frequently during the day — at work, during family time or while trying to sleep?
Have you borrowed money, sold personal belongings or used credit to fund gambling activity?
Has your gambling caused conflict with family members, friends, colleagues or employers?
Do you feel a strong urge to gamble when you are under stress, anxious, bored or feeling low?
If you answered yes to two or more of the above: Please take this seriously. Problem gambling is a recognised condition that responds well to professional support when sought early. Reach out to a qualified gambling support counsellor or contact by99 support at [email protected]. You do not need to manage this alone.
Most responsible third-party gambling operators provide these tools within your account settings. Setting them up before you start gambling is far more effective than trying to apply them later.
Choose operators that hold valid international gambling licences and clearly display responsible gambling tools in their account settings. Look for licence information from recognised jurisdictions (such as Malta, Gibraltar, Isle of Man or Curaçao) displayed at the bottom of the operator's website. Unlicensed operators do not carry the same player protection obligations.
As soon as your account is created, navigate to the responsible gambling or player safety section of the operator's platform and set a weekly or monthly deposit limit that reflects your realistic entertainment budget in PKR terms. Most operators allow you to decrease this limit immediately but require a cooling-off period before increasing it — this asymmetry is deliberate and protective.
Set a maximum session duration — 60 to 90 minutes per session is a widely recommended guideline. When your time is up, the platform should notify you or end your session automatically. If the operator does not offer this feature, use your device's built-in screen time controls or a simple phone timer to enforce this boundary yourself.
A loss limit provides a secondary financial protection layer. Even if your session budget has not been fully depleted by the time your deposit limit is reached, a loss limit ensures that a single bad run of luck cannot exhaust your entire available balance. Set both limits — they are complementary, not interchangeable.
Most licensed operators provide transaction history and session history summaries. Review these monthly. Compare actual spending against your planned budget. If the figures surprise you — if you are consistently spending more than you planned — treat this as an important signal and adjust your limits immediately.
If you notice that your gambling is becoming more frequent, more expensive or more emotionally driven than you are comfortable with, act immediately. Use a cool-off period first — even a one-week break from gambling gives important perspective. If the pattern continues after the cool-off, move to formal self-exclusion and seek professional support.
Problem gambling is a recognised psychological condition and is treatable with professional support. The following types of resources are commonly available for individuals experiencing gambling-related difficulties.
Qualified mental health professionals and addiction counsellors can provide confidential, structured support for problem gambling. In Pakistan's major cities — including Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad — mental health clinics and psychologists are available. Ask your general practitioner for a referral, or search for licensed practitioners who list addiction counselling as a specialty.
Pakistan has several mental health and crisis support helplines that can provide immediate guidance and referrals. The Umang Pakistan helpline and similar services offer trained counsellors who can assist with addiction-related concerns, including gambling, in a confidential and non-judgmental environment. Contact details for such services are publicly available via web searches or healthcare providers.
Gamblers Anonymous is an international peer support organisation using a 12-step programme to help individuals with compulsive gambling. GA meetings, where present, provide a supportive community of people with shared experiences. While in-person GA meetings in Pakistan are limited, the GA programme and its materials are accessible internationally and online.
Gambling harms are rarely experienced by the individual alone — partners, parents and children are often significantly affected. Family-focused support — whether through counselling, peer groups like Gam-Anon, or simply trusted community networks — is a valuable parallel resource for those living with someone experiencing problem gambling.
Reputable international gambling operators are typically required by their licences to maintain responsible gambling teams. These teams can assist with setting limits, activating self-exclusion and providing referrals to professional support services. They can usually be reached via the operator's live chat, email or phone support channels.
While by99 is an information platform rather than a gambling operator, our support team can provide guidance on responsible gambling tools, point you toward appropriate resources and assist with general enquiries. Contact us at the support email listed on this page. Support is available in English with response times as prompt as we can manage.
Important Note on Support Resources: by99 has mentioned the above support types and organisations for general informational reference only. by99 is not affiliated with, endorsed by or operating in partnership with any of the organisations mentioned. Users should independently verify the availability, credentials and contact details of any support service they intend to contact. In a genuine crisis, please seek immediate professional help rather than waiting.
🔞 Adults 18+ Only — or the higher minimum required by the applicable operator or license jurisdiction.
Gambling may be restricted or prohibited in your area — including under Pakistan's Prevention of Gambling Act, 1977.
Users are solely responsible for determining the legality of gambling activity in their jurisdiction and for ensuring compliance with all applicable laws. by99 does not claim Pakistani government authorization, PTA approval or State Bank of Pakistan endorsement for any gambling activity. This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice.
If you or someone you care about needs gambling support, please do not wait. Seek help today.
Contact: [email protected]
Return to the homepage to explore our gambling guides, casino content and educational resources — all created with responsible play in mind for Pakistani users. Or read our related policy pages below.