Understanding Responsible Gaming
Responsible gaming means maintaining control over your gambling activity so that it remains a form of entertainment rather than becoming a source of financial stress, relationship problems, or emotional distress. For the vast majority of savefb members across Jakarta, Surabaya, Medan, Bandung, Bali, and beyond, betting on football (BRI Liga 1, EPL, La Liga, Champions League), playing live casino, spinning slots, or participating in traditional games like togel (Indonesia's numbers lottery) and sabung ayam (cockfighting events) is an enjoyable pastime balanced with work, family, and other interests.
However, gambling can become problematic when it starts to interfere with daily life, financial stability, or mental health. Problem gambling is recognised as a behavioural disorder characterised by an inability to stop or control gambling despite negative consequences. At savefb, we take this seriously and provide multiple layers of protection to help Indonesian players stay in control.
Recognising the Warning Signs
It is important to be honest with yourself about your gambling behaviour. Ask yourself these questions regularly:
- Do I gamble with money I cannot afford to lose, such as rent money, bill payments, or funds set aside for groceries?
- Do I chase losses by increasing bet sizes or depositing more after losing, hoping to recover what I've lost?
- Do I lie to family members, friends, or colleagues about how much time or money I spend gambling?
- Have I borrowed money from family, friends, or financial institutions (banks like BCA, BRI, BNI, Mandiri, or e-wallets like OVO, DANA, GoPay, ShopeePay) to fund my gambling?
- Do I feel restless, irritable, or anxious when I try to cut down or stop gambling?
- Have I neglected work responsibilities, skipped social events, or ignored family obligations because I was gambling?
- Do I gamble to escape from problems, stress, or negative emotions such as depression or loneliness?
- Have I broken promises to myself or others about reducing or stopping my gambling?
If you answered "yes" to two or more of these questions, you may be developing or already experiencing a gambling problem. We strongly encourage you to use savefb's self-exclusion tool immediately and contact our support team for guidance on seeking professional help.
savefb's Responsible Gaming Tools
All savefb members have free access to a comprehensive suite of responsible gaming tools designed to help you set boundaries and maintain control. These tools are accessible through your account dashboard under "Responsible Gaming Settings" and take effect immediately upon activation.
Deposit Limits
Set a maximum amount you can deposit into your savefb account over a 24-hour, 7-day, or 30-day period. Once the limit is reached, you will not be able to make further deposits until the period resets. Recommended for players who want to ensure their gambling budget stays within predetermined boundaries. You can lower your deposit limit at any time (takes effect immediately), but requests to increase limits are subject to a 48-hour cooling-off period.
Loss Limits
Set a maximum amount you are willing to lose over a 24-hour, 7-day, or 30-day period. Once your net losses (total deposits minus total withdrawals) reach this threshold, you will be unable to place further bets until the period resets. This tool is particularly effective for players who want to protect themselves from chasing losses during a losing streak.
Session Time Limits
Set a maximum duration for each login session (e.g., 1 hour, 2 hours, 4 hours). Once the session time expires, you will be automatically logged out and must wait until the next day to log back in. This helps prevent extended gambling sessions that can lead to fatigue, poor decision-making, and excessive losses.
Reality Check Reminders
Enable pop-up notifications that appear at regular intervals (e.g., every 30 minutes, every hour) to remind you how long you have been logged in and how much you have wagered. These reminders give you a moment to pause, reflect, and decide whether to continue playing or take a break. You can customise the frequency and messaging of reality checks in your account settings.
Cool-Off Period (Temporary Self-Exclusion)
Temporarily suspend your account for a set period ranging from 24 hours to 30 days. During a cool-off period, you will not be able to log in, place bets, make deposits, or access any savefb games or features. This tool is ideal for players who recognise they need a short break to reset and regain perspective. At the end of the cool-off period, your account automatically reactivates.
Self-Exclusion (Permanent or Long-Term)
Permanently close your savefb account for a minimum period of 6 months, 1 year, 3 years, 5 years, or permanently (lifetime exclusion). Once activated, self-exclusion cannot be reversed during the exclusion period. You will not be able to create new accounts, and any attempt to circumvent self-exclusion (by using a different email address, phone number, or payment method) will result in immediate detection and account closure. Any remaining funds in your account at the time of self-exclusion will be refunded to your registered payment method (BCA, BRI, BNI, Mandiri, OVO, DANA, GoPay, ShopeePay) within 7 business days, minus any outstanding bonuses or pending wagering requirements.
How to Activate These Tools: Log in to your savefb account, navigate to "Account Settings" > "Responsible Gaming," and select the tool you wish to enable. Changes to deposit limits, loss limits, and session time limits take effect immediately for reductions but require a 48-hour cooling-off period for increases. Cool-off and self-exclusion requests are processed within 24 hours.
When Gambling Becomes a Problem — Seeking Help
If you feel that your gambling is no longer under control, or if friends and family have expressed concern about your gambling behaviour, it is important to act quickly. Problem gambling can escalate rapidly, leading to financial hardship, damaged relationships, job loss, and severe mental health issues including anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts.
savefb strongly encourages any player experiencing gambling-related difficulties to reach out for professional support. While we can provide tools to help you limit your activity on our platform, we are not qualified mental health professionals. Seeking help from trained counsellors and support organisations is the most effective way to address problem gambling.
External Support Resources for Indonesian Players
Although Indonesia does not have a nationally recognised problem gambling helpline equivalent to those in Western countries, there are mental health and counselling services that can assist with behavioural addictions and impulse control disorders:
- Into The Light Indonesia: A mental health organisation offering counselling and crisis support services in Bahasa Indonesia. They provide free, confidential consultations via WhatsApp, phone, and email.
- Yayasan Pulih (PULIH Foundation): A Jakarta-based NGO providing psychosocial support services for individuals experiencing mental health challenges, including addictive behaviours.
- Gamblers Anonymous: While not widely established in Indonesia, Gamblers Anonymous operates internationally and offers online meetings in English. Their 12-step recovery programme has helped millions of people worldwide.
- Private Counselling Services: Many licensed psychologists and psychiatrists in major Indonesian cities (Jakarta, Surabaya, Medan, Bandung, Bali) offer therapy for behavioural addictions. Search for "psikolog Jakarta" or "terapis perilaku" to find local practitioners.
Crisis Support: If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, including thoughts of self-harm or suicide, please contact emergency services immediately by dialing 112 (Indonesia's national emergency number) or go to the nearest hospital emergency department. The 24-hour suicide prevention hotline operated by the Ministry of Health can be reached at 119 ext. 8.
What Happens When You Contact savefb Support
If you reach out to our 24/7 Indonesian-speaking customer support team to discuss concerns about your gambling, here is what you can expect:
- Confidential Conversation: All discussions about responsible gaming are treated with the strictest confidentiality. Your conversation will not be shared with any third party.
- No Judgement: Our support agents are trained to approach gambling concerns with empathy and understanding. You will not be lectured, judged, or made to feel ashamed.
- Immediate Action: If you request self-exclusion or any other protective measure, our team will activate it immediately without delay or persuasion to continue playing.
- Resource Referrals: We can provide you with information about external support organisations, counselling services, and mental health hotlines available in Indonesia.
- Account Review: If appropriate, we may review your account history to identify patterns and recommend specific tools (deposit limits, loss limits, session time limits) that could be helpful.
Contact savefb Support for Responsible Gaming Assistance
Our 24/7 Indonesian-speaking support team is available to help you activate responsible gaming tools, discuss concerns, or provide guidance on seeking external help.
Tips for Maintaining Healthy Gambling Habits
Even if you do not currently have a gambling problem, adopting these best practices will help ensure your gambling remains enjoyable and sustainable over the long term:
- Set a Budget Before You Start: Decide in advance how much money you can afford to lose — money that is genuinely disposable and will not impact your ability to pay rent, bills, groceries, or other essential expenses. Stick to this budget rigidly.
- Treat Losses as Entertainment Costs: Think of gambling losses the same way you would think of spending money on a cinema ticket, concert, or dinner out. Once the money is spent, it is gone — accept it and move on.
- Never Chase Losses: If you lose your predetermined budget, walk away. Increasing bet sizes or depositing more money to try to recover losses is one of the most common paths to problem gambling.
- Take Regular Breaks: Set a timer on your phone to remind yourself to step away from the screen every 30-60 minutes. Use this time to stretch, drink water, and check in with yourself about whether you are still enjoying the experience.
- Do Not Gamble When Emotional: Avoid gambling when you are stressed, upset, angry, or experiencing strong emotions. Decision-making is impaired when emotions run high, leading to impulsive bets and poor judgement.
- Balance Gambling with Other Activities: Ensure that gambling is just one of many leisure activities in your life. Maintain hobbies, social connections, physical exercise, and other interests that bring you joy.
- Never Borrow to Gamble: Do not use credit cards, personal loans, or borrow money from family and friends to fund gambling. If you do not have disposable cash, do not gamble.
- Be Honest with Family and Friends: If you gamble regularly, let trusted people in your life know. Secrecy and deception are red flags that gambling may be becoming problematic.
Our Commitment to Protecting Vulnerable Players
savefb is committed to creating a safe gambling environment for all Indonesian players. Beyond the tools and resources described above, we implement the following proactive measures:
- No Marketing to Self-Excluded Players: Players who activate self-exclusion are permanently removed from all marketing communications, including email, SMS, and in-platform notifications. We will never contact you to encourage reactivation.
- Algorithmic Detection Systems: Our platform uses machine learning algorithms to monitor player behaviour and identify patterns consistent with problem gambling (rapid bet escalation, frequent large deposits, extended session times). When concerning patterns are detected, our risk team may proactively reach out to offer support.
- Responsible Bonus Design: All bonuses at savefb come with clear, transparent terms. We do not use "sticky" bonuses or confusing wagering requirements designed to trap players. Bonuses are optional — you can always decline them.
- Staff Training: All customer support agents, payment processors, and KYC verification staff undergo mandatory training in recognising problem gambling signs and responding appropriately with compassion and resource referrals.
- Collaboration with Regulators: savefb complies with all applicable responsible gaming regulations under our operating licence and works closely with regulators to ensure best practices are followed.
Final Reminder: Gambling is a form of entertainment, not a way to make money or solve financial problems. If gambling stops being fun, it's time to stop. savefb is here to support you every step of the way. You are not alone.