Responsible Gambling

At Shikaka, we are dedicated to providing a secure and enjoyable online gaming environment. We understand that for most, gambling is a form of entertainment, a leisure activity to be enjoyed responsibly. However, we also recognise that for a small number of individuals, gambling can cease to be fun and may lead to problems. Our commitment to responsible gambling is fundamental to our operations. We strive to protect our players, prevent problem gambling, and offer support to those who need it. This policy outlines the measures we have implemented to ensure a safe and controlled gaming experience for everyone using Shikaka. We comply with all regulatory requirements set forth by our licensing authority and continuously review our practices to maintain the highest standards of player protection.

Identifying problem gambling early is crucial. It is important for players to be aware of the signs, both in themselves and in those around them. Problem gambling is not just about losing money, it can affect various aspects of a person's life, including their mental health, relationships, and work. Some common indicators include:

• Spending more money and time on gambling than intended.
• Feeling a need to be secretive about gambling activities.
• Chasing losses, trying to win back money that has been lost.
• Gambling to escape from problems, anxiety, or depression.
• Borrowing money or selling possessions to gamble.
• Neglecting responsibilities at work, school, or home due to gambling.
• Becoming irritable or restless when trying to cut down or stop gambling.
• Having repeated unsuccessful attempts to control, cut back, or stop gambling.
• Jeopardising a significant relationship, job, or educational or career opportunity because of gambling.

If you recognise any of these signs in yourself or someone you know, we encourage you to seek assistance.

Maintaining control over your gambling habits ensures it remains an enjoyable pastime. Here are some practical tips to help you keep your gambling fun and within safe limits when playing at Shikaka:

• Gamble for entertainment, not as a way to make money: View gambling as a leisure activity, not a source of income.
• Set a budget and stick to it: Decide how much money you can afford to lose before you start playing, and do not exceed that amount.
• Set a time limit: Decide how long you will play for and stick to it, regardless of wins or losses.
• Never chase losses: Accept that losses are part of gambling and do not try to win back money you have lost. This often leads to larger losses.
• Balance gambling with other activities: Ensure gambling does not become your only hobby. Maintain a healthy balance with other interests and social activities.
• Avoid gambling when stressed, upset, or under the influence: Emotional states or alcohol/drug consumption can impair judgment and lead to impulsive decisions.
• Take regular breaks: Step away from the game periodically to clear your head and reassess.
• Do not let gambling interfere with your responsibilities: Your job, family, and other commitments should always take precedence.

Shikaka provides tools to help you manage your spending effectively. You can set various limits on your account to ensure you gamble within your means. These limits can be adjusted through your account settings or by contacting our customer support team.

• Deposit Limits: You can set a maximum amount of money you can deposit into your Shikaka account over a daily, weekly, or monthly period. Once this limit is reached, you will not be able to deposit more funds until the next period begins.
• Loss Limits: This allows you to define the maximum amount of money you are willing to lose over a specified period (daily, weekly, or monthly). If your net losses exceed this limit, you will be prevented from placing further wagers until the next period.
• Wager Limits: You can set a maximum amount you can wager over a daily, weekly, or monthly period. This helps control the total volume of your betting activity.

Any reduction in your limits will take effect immediately. Any request to increase or revoke a limit will be subject to a cooling-off period before it becomes active, allowing you time to reconsider your decision. This cooling-off period is in line with regulatory requirements.

If you feel you need a short break from gambling, Shikaka offers Time-Out and Cool-Off options. These features allow you to temporarily restrict access to your account for a defined period.

• A Time-Out allows you to take a short break, typically ranging from 24 hours to several weeks. During this period, you will not be able to log in or place any bets.
• A Cool-Off Period offers a slightly longer break, often extending from one month up to six months. Similar to a Time-Out, your account will be inaccessible during this period.

Once a Time-Out or Cool-Off period is activated, it cannot be reversed until the chosen duration has expired. To activate a Time-Out or Cool-Off, please visit the Responsible Gambling section in your account settings or contact our customer support team for assistance.

For individuals who feel they are losing control over their gambling, or for those who wish to take a more significant break, Shikaka offers a comprehensive self-exclusion program. Self-exclusion allows you to voluntarily close your account for an extended period, typically ranging from six months to five years, or even permanently. During a self-exclusion period:

• Your Shikaka account will be immediately closed, and you will not be able to log in.
• We will take all reasonable steps to prevent you from opening new accounts with us.
• You will be removed from all marketing lists and will not receive any promotional material from Shikaka.
• Any remaining funds in your account, subject to withdrawal terms and conditions, will be returned to you.

Once you have self-excluded, the exclusion cannot be reversed until the chosen period has fully elapsed. After the self-exclusion period ends, you will need to contact our customer support team to request reactivation of your account. A further cool-off period may apply before reactivation to ensure your decision is well-considered. We recommend considering self-exclusion seriously if you are struggling with your gambling habits.

Shikaka is strictly committed to preventing underage gambling. Our services are not intended for, nor available to, individuals under the legal gambling age in their respective jurisdiction, which is typically 18 years old. We employ robust age verification procedures during the registration process to ensure that no minors can access our platform. Our measures include:

• Age Verification Checks: We require all new players to provide proof of age and identity. These documents are thoroughly reviewed to confirm that the individual meets the legal age requirements.
• Account Suspension: Any account found to belong to a minor will be immediately suspended, and any winnings forfeited.
• Parental Controls: We encourage parents and guardians to use filtering software to prevent minors from accessing gambling websites. Several reputable software solutions are available that can block access to specific sites.

We urge parents and guardians to monitor their children's online activity and keep their Shikaka login details confidential. If you suspect that a minor has registered an account with us, please contact our customer support team immediately.

To help you keep track of your gaming activity, Shikaka offers Reality Checks and Session Reminders. These features are designed to provide you with periodic notifications about the duration of your current gaming session. A Reality Check is a pop-up message that appears on your screen at pre-set intervals (e.g., every 30 minutes, 60 minutes, or 120 minutes) while you are actively playing. This reminder will inform you of:

• How long you have been playing during the current session.
• Your net winnings or losses during that session.
• An option to review your transaction history.
• An option to take a break or exit the game.

You can customise the frequency of these Reality Checks or opt-out of them through your account settings. We believe these reminders are a valuable tool to help you make informed decisions about continuing your play and to encourage regular breaks.

Understanding your own gambling habits is the first step towards responsible play. We encourage you to take a self-assessment to evaluate whether your gambling behaviour remains healthy and controlled. This can help you identify if you might be developing a problem. Consider the following questions honestly:

• Do you spend more money or time on gambling than you intended?
• Do you find it difficult to stop gambling once you start?
• Have you ever tried to hide the extent of your gambling from others?
• Does gambling interfere with your work, studies, or daily responsibilities?
• Do you gamble to escape from problems or feelings of sadness?
• Have you ever borrowed money or sold possessions to gamble?
• Do you feel irritable or anxious when you are unable to gamble?
• Do you chase losses, trying to win back money you have lost?

If you answered "yes" to several of these questions, it may indicate that your gambling is becoming problematic. We strongly advise you to consider using the responsible gambling tools available at Shikaka, such as setting limits or self-exclusion, and to seek professional help. Remember, acknowledging a potential problem is a sign of strength.

If gambling stops being fun, free and confidential help is available. These organisations are independent of this site and of any operator:

International support (any country)

• Gambling Therapy (free global online support in 30+ languages)
• GamCare, National Gambling Helpline · Helpline: 0808 8020 133
• Gamblers Anonymous (international 12-step fellowship, find local meetings)