Responsible Gambling

Shikaka is dedicated to providing a secure and enjoyable online gaming environment. We understand that for most players, gambling is a form of entertainment. However, we also recognise that for a small number of individuals, gambling can cease to be fun and may lead to problems. Our responsible gambling policy outlines the measures we have implemented to prevent problem gambling, protect vulnerable individuals, and ensure that all players can enjoy our services responsibly.

We are committed to upholding the highest standards of player protection and adhere strictly to the regulations set forth by our licensing authority. This commitment is integrated into every aspect of our operations, from game design to customer support. Shikaka believes in proactive measures, offering tools and resources to help players maintain control over their gaming habits.

Problem gambling can manifest in various ways, and it is important to be aware of the signs, both in yourself and in others. It is not always about losing large sums of money. It can also involve spending excessive time gambling, neglecting responsibilities, or experiencing emotional distress related to gambling activities.

Some common indicators include:

• Spending more money and time on gambling than you can afford or intended.
• Feeling a need to be secretive about your gambling.
• Chasing losses, meaning you try to win back money you have lost.
• Gambling affecting your work, relationships, or personal life.
• Feeling anxious, guilty, or depressed after gambling.
• Borrowing money or selling possessions to gamble.
• Repeated unsuccessful attempts to cut down or stop gambling.

If you recognise any of these signs, it is crucial to take action. Shikaka encourages open communication and provides resources to assist players who may be struggling.

Maintaining control over your gambling habits is key to ensuring it remains a source of entertainment. Here are some practical tips to help you gamble responsibly:

• Gamble for entertainment, not as a source of income: View gambling as a leisure activity, not a way to make money.
• 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: Determine how long you will play and adhere to that limit, 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 further losses.
• Do not gamble when you are stressed, upset, or under the influence: Emotional states or intoxicants can impair your judgment.
• Balance gambling with other activities: Ensure gambling does not become your sole form of entertainment.

Shikaka offers various tools to help you implement these strategies effectively.

To assist you in managing your gambling activity, Shikaka provides robust tools for setting financial limits. These limits empower you to control how much money you deposit, lose, or wager over specific periods.

• 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 be unable to deposit further funds until the period resets.
• Loss Limits: This allows you to define the maximum amount of money you are willing to lose over a daily, weekly, or monthly period. If your net losses (wagers minus wins) reach this threshold, you will be prevented from placing further bets until the period concludes.
• Wager Limits: You can set a maximum total amount you wish to wager over a daily, weekly, or monthly period. Once this limit is met, you cannot place additional wagers until the next period begins.

You can adjust these limits at any time through your account settings. Any request to increase a limit will typically take effect after a cooling-off period, as mandated by our licensing authority, to allow for careful consideration. Requests to decrease a limit are usually applied immediately.

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 without needing to self-exclude completely.

• Time-Out: You can choose to take a break for a period ranging from 24 hours to six weeks. During this time, you will not be able to log in, deposit, or play any games on Shikaka. You will receive no marketing communications from us.
• Cool-Off Period: Similar to a Time-Out, this option provides a short break. The duration and specific functionalities may vary slightly depending on regulatory requirements, but the core principle is to give you a temporary pause from gambling activities.

Once your chosen Time-Out or Cool-Off period expires, your account will automatically reactivate, and you will regain full access to Shikaka's services. These tools are designed to help you step back and reassess your gambling habits before returning.

For individuals who feel they need a longer or more permanent break from gambling, Shikaka provides comprehensive self-exclusion options. Self-exclusion is a formal process where you voluntarily request to be excluded from gambling activities for an extended period.

You can choose to self-exclude from Shikaka for periods ranging from six months to five years, or even permanently. During a self-exclusion period:

• Your account will be immediately closed, and you will be unable to log in, deposit, or play any games.
• You will be removed from all marketing databases and will not receive any promotional materials from Shikaka.
• Any remaining funds in your account will be returned to you, subject to our standard withdrawal procedures.

Once a self-exclusion period is activated, it cannot be reversed until the chosen period has fully elapsed. If you opt for permanent self-exclusion, your account will remain closed indefinitely. We strongly recommend considering self-exclusion if you are concerned that gambling is negatively impacting your life. Our customer support team can guide you through the process.

Shikaka maintains a strict policy against underage gambling. It is illegal for anyone under the legal gambling age to open an account or participate in gambling activities on our platform. We employ robust age verification procedures to prevent minors from accessing our services.

During the registration process, all players are required to confirm they are of legal gambling age. We also conduct electronic age verification checks using third-party databases. If we are unable to verify a player's age, their account will be suspended until satisfactory proof of age is provided. Any player found to be underage will have their account closed, and any winnings forfeited.

Parents and guardians can also play a vital role in preventing underage gambling. We recommend installing internet filtering software to block access to gambling websites. Please ensure your Shikaka account details are kept confidential and not accessible to minors in your household.

To help you stay mindful of the time you spend gambling, Shikaka offers 'Reality Checks' and 'Session Reminders'. These features are designed to provide periodic notifications during your gaming sessions, prompting you to reflect on your activity.

• Reality Checks: You can set a frequency for these pop-up notifications, for example, every 30 minutes or every hour. When a Reality Check appears, it will display information such as the duration of your current session, your net winnings or losses for that session, and provide options to continue playing, review your account history, or end your session.
• Session Reminders: Similar to Reality Checks, these reminders help you keep track of your playing time. They serve as a gentle nudge to take a break or consider ending your session.

These tools are fully customisable through your account settings. We encourage all players to utilise Reality Checks and Session Reminders as a simple yet effective way to maintain awareness and control over their gaming duration.

If you are unsure whether your gambling habits are problematic, taking a self-assessment can be a helpful first step. Shikaka provides a self-assessment questionnaire designed to help you evaluate your relationship with gambling. This assessment is entirely confidential and for your personal use only.

The questionnaire typically includes a series of questions about your gambling behaviour, such as how often you gamble, how much you spend, whether gambling affects your mood, and if you have ever tried to stop. Your honest answers can provide valuable insight into whether your gambling is within healthy limits or if it might be developing into a concern.

Based on your responses, the self-assessment can offer an indication of potential risk and suggest further actions, such as setting limits, taking a break, or seeking professional help. It is a tool for self-reflection and empowerment, enabling you to make informed decisions about your gambling activity at Shikaka and beyond.

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

National support: Canada

• Responsible Gambling Council
• ConnexOntario · Helpline: 1-866-531-2600
• Self-exclusion: BetGuard (iGaming Ontario)

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)