Responsible Gaming

If you have children or teenagers in your household, take extra care to secure your computer and mobile devices.

• All Windows computers can be set up to have password control so that you must enter a password to get to the desktop, and mobile devices can be set up to require a passcode to unlock. In general, this is a good practice, but it’s even more important when there are children or teenagers in your household. Also, keep your username and password private. You can elect to have the software not remember your password each time you log-in. If you have any concern that somebody else might attempt to access your Stars Account, you should not allow the software to remember your password.
• If you have children or teenagers in your household, use protection software that allows you to limit the websites to which they have access, prevent file sharing, and generally give you detailed control over how your children use the Internet. Here is a list of some of those programs:
  • SafeKids
  • NetNanny
• If you are aware of an underage person using our platform, let us know. Simply contact Support and we will get right on it. Our first step is to investigate, and if warranted, freeze the player’s account and request identification from that player. We take these reports seriously.
• Be a responsible parent. In many ways, this is nothing more than keeping your eyes and ears open. If you hear your children talking about online gaming accounts, deposits, and refunds, start asking questions. If you see the software on your child's computer, uninstall it and ask more questions. A responsible parent is the best start to preventing underage gaming. You can find advice on how to talk to a young person about gambling here.

If you want to block yourself from a particular game, go to the main lobby of the desktop software, select 'Tools' > 'Responsible Gaming' > 'Restrict Table Limit' and set your limit to 'Don't play'.

• We offer 12-hour and 24-hour cooling off periods as well as 7 day, 30 day, 60 day, and 120 day time out periods. You will not be able to play any games that we offer on our software. Once you click the button that requests a time out or a self-exclusion period, you will be asked to close all tables at which you're playing. You will be automatically unregistered from any online tournament that begins during the time out and self-exclusion period, with your buy-in refunded per our normal policy. If you are still playing when the self-exclusion period begins, you will not be forced to close the software, but will receive a pop-up asking you to do so – the exclusion period will begin once the software is closed. You will be able to login and access the cashier, but you will not be able to play, deposit or make inter-account transfers with your Stars Account. If you have won a seat in a live, brick-and-mortar tournament that begins during the exclusion period, you will still be able to play it. You will not receive any marketing emails or newsletters from us.
• 6-month self-exclusion. This is identical to the other time out periods, except that we will ask you to refund any real money funds from your Stars Account. In addition, you will not be automatically reinstated. If you want to return to playing with us, you can contact Support any time after your self-exclusion period has passed.
• Self-exclusions longer than 6 months, and permanent self-exclusions. If you wish to self-exclude yourself longer than 6 months, or permanently self-exclude yourself, please contact Support.
• Self-exclusion during tournaments:
  • Players who self-exclude themselves during a tournament will still be able to complete any tournament already in progress in which they are playing.
  • Multi-Day Tournaments: Players who request to be self-excluded from playing during a 'qualifying for Day 2' of a 'Multi-Day Tournament' will still be able to play in that tournament on any subsequent day of that tournament, even after their period of self-exclusion begins. Players who choose not to play on subsequent days will receive no compensation.
  • Phased Tournaments: Players who request to be self-excluded from playing during a phased tournament will not be able to complete the next phase of the tournament. Make sure you can play the tournament in its entirety before entering the first phase.
  • Please also note if you win any prizes resulting from any offer that may have started prior to your self-exclusion (i.e. automatic drawings to live events, or live activities), they may be forfeited.

If you wish to self-exclude from all online gaming activity, consider downloading gamban®, software that helps you by blocking access to all online gaming.

You may also wish to investigate GamBlock, a software application that limits a computer’s access to online gaming sites.

There are risk factors that can contribute to the development of issues such as difficulty stopping gaming. Players can be more at risk if they:

• Have easy access to their preferred form of gaming
• Hold mistaken beliefs about the odds of winning
• Do not take precautions to monitor gaming wins and losses
• Have an early big win (leading to false expectation of future wins)
• Have had a recent loss or change in their personal life, such as divorce, job loss, retirement, or death of a loved one
• Often feel bored or lonely, or have a history of risk-taking or impulsive behavior
• Have financial problems
• Have a history of mental health problems, particularly depression and anxiety
• Have a parent who also has (or has had) problems with gaming or other compulsive disorders
• Have (or have had) problems with alcohol or other drugs, or overspending

The more factors that apply, the more likely a person is to develop a problem.

If you are finding it hard to stop gaming, or if you’re already suffering from consequences related to your gaming behavior, it may be time to get help.