Responsible Gaming

Age limits can vary by ship, route and jurisdiction. An operator may require valid identification and may refuse access even where the website age gate has been accepted.

Entertainment-Only Principle

Casino activity should remain optional entertainment within a cruise experience. It is not a source of income, an investment, a professional strategy or a solution to debt.

Every game involves uncertainty. The operator has an advantage over time, and a visitor can lose the entire amount set aside for play. No system, pattern or previous result can guarantee the next outcome.

Setting a Personal Budget

Choose a fixed entertainment amount before entering a casino area. The amount should come only from disposable money that can be lost without affecting essential commitments.

Keep travel funds and casino funds separate. Avoid carrying extra cash or payment methods into the gaming area. Do not increase the budget because of excitement, frustration or a previous loss.

A practical budget check

• Are all essential travel and household costs already covered?
• Would losing the full amount cause stress later?
• Is the amount independent from credit, loans or money owed to someone else?
• Can the limit be explained clearly before play begins?

Setting Time Limits

Decide a finishing time in advance and set an alarm on a phone or watch. Casino environments can make it easy to lose track of time, especially when lighting, music and continuous play reduce normal time cues.

Plan another activity immediately after the limit, such as returning to the cabin, meeting friends, attending a show or walking on an open deck where permitted. Leave when the alarm sounds, regardless of the current result.

Do not extend the session to recover money, use a bonus, finish a sequence or wait for a “better moment.”

Taking Regular Breaks

Step away from the gaming area at regular intervals. A break creates distance from rapid decisions and makes it easier to review spending, time and emotional state.

During a break, drink water, eat if needed, move around, check the time and speak with someone outside the gaming area. Avoid using alcohol or other substances as part of a decision to continue gambling.

If returning feels urgent or uncomfortable, end the session rather than shortening the break.

Never Chasing Losses

Chasing losses means increasing spending, changing games or extending time in an attempt to recover money already lost. This behaviour can turn a planned entertainment expense into a much larger financial problem.

A loss does not make a later win more likely. Stop at the original budget or earlier. Treat the spent amount as the complete cost of the activity and leave the gaming area.

Do not return later the same evening with new funds to reverse the result.

Avoiding Borrowed Money

Never borrow money, use rent or bill money, take a cash advance, use a payday loan or ask friends and family for funds to continue gambling.

Credit can hide the immediate impact of spending and create interest, fees and future pressure. If available money has reached the limit, the correct action is to stop.

If gambling has already led to debt, pause all participation and seek independent financial and professional support.

Avoiding Participation Under Stress

Do not gamble when tired, angry, anxious, lonely, grieving, under financial pressure or trying to escape a personal problem. Strong emotions can narrow attention and make limits easier to ignore.

Avoid participation when affected by alcohol, medication that impairs judgement or other substances. Choose a calm non-gaming activity instead.

When gambling becomes a way to change mood rather than an optional leisure choice, take a longer break and speak with someone trusted.

Recognizing Warning Signs

A single warning sign deserves attention, especially when it repeats. Common signs include:

• Spending more money or time than planned.
• Thinking constantly about gambling or the next opportunity.
• Trying to recover previous losses.
• Hiding spending, time or results from other people.
• Borrowing money, selling possessions or missing payments.
• Feeling irritable, anxious or restless when trying to stop.
• Neglecting work, travel plans, relationships or health.
• Using gambling to cope with stress or difficult emotions.

Problem gambling can affect finances, mental health, relationships and daily responsibilities. Early action can reduce harm.

Self-Assessment Questions

Answer the following questions honestly. A “yes” does not provide a diagnosis, but it can indicate that stronger limits or professional support are needed.

• Do you spend more than you planned?
• Do you lose track of time?
• Do you try to recover previous losses?
• Do you hide your participation from others?
• Has gambling affected work or relationships?
• Have you borrowed money to continue?
• Do you feel anxious when trying to stop?

If several answers are “yes,” stop gambling and seek support before participating again.

Reducing Participation

Reduce access by leaving casino areas, changing routines, avoiding carrying payment methods and choosing non-gaming activities. Tell a trusted person about the decision so that the limit is easier to maintain.

Use operator tools where available, including deposit limits, time reminders, cooling-off periods and account restrictions. These tools support a decision but do not replace personal or professional help.

Remove gambling applications, block marketing messages and unsubscribe from promotions that create pressure to return.

Taking a Longer Break

A longer break is appropriate when short limits repeatedly fail, gambling occupies too much attention or participation causes conflict, debt or distress.

Ask the relevant operator about self-exclusion or access-restriction procedures. In Buenos Aires, applicable rules and operator programmes may include voluntary exclusion mechanisms. Confirm the current process directly with the licensed operator or competent authority.

During the break, avoid replacing one gambling format with another. Use the time to review finances, routines and support options.

Seeking Professional Assistance

Professional help is appropriate when gambling feels difficult to control, causes financial harm, affects relationships or creates anxiety. Support can be requested by the person gambling or by a concerned friend or family member.

Argentina's SEDRONAR Line 141 provides free and anonymous orientation and support throughout the country, 24 hours a day. Official information also includes access to nearby care and support resources.

If there is immediate danger, risk of self-harm or a medical emergency, contact local emergency services immediately and stay with the person where it is safe to do so.

Information for Friends and Family

Approach the person calmly and describe specific changes you have noticed. Avoid blame, threats or arguments about every individual result. Focus on safety, finances and the effect on daily life.

Do not lend money for gambling, cover repeated losses without conditions or provide access to shared accounts. Protect essential household funds and seek independent advice where needed.

Friends and family can also contact support services for guidance. They do not need to wait until the person gambling asks for help.

Financial Difficulties

Stop gambling when money is under pressure. Prioritise housing, food, utilities, healthcare, transport, taxes and debt obligations.

Create a written list of balances, due dates, interest and essential payments. Contact creditors or an independent financial adviser early rather than attempting to solve debt through further gambling.

Consider limiting access to funds, changing payment settings and asking a trusted person to help review essential spending.