Gambling is entertainment. At online138, we want every Malaysian player to enjoy our platform safely, without it ever becoming a problem. This page gives you the tools, information, and support resources you need to stay in control — always.
Responsible gambling is not a checkbox for us — it is a core part of how online138 operates. These are the six pillars that underpin our approach to player wellbeing.
Every account registered online138 must pass identity verification (KYC) confirming the player is aged 21 or above. Accounts found to be operated by underage users are closed immediately and all funds are returned. We do not compromise on this.
Set your own daily, weekly, or monthly deposit cap directly from your Account dashboard — in MYR. Reductions take effect immediately. Increases require a mandatory48-hour cooling-off period to prevent impulsive decisions.
You can request self-exclusion at any time — for a defined period (30, 60, or 90 days) or permanently. Once activated, your account is locked and you cannot reopen it for a minimum of 6 months. All promotional communications are stopped.
Set session duration reminders so you know how long you have been playing. Combine this with a loss limit — a hard cap on how much you are willing to lose in any given period — to stay within your personal boundaries.
online138's team monitors gaming patterns for indicators of harmful behaviour — such as extended sessions, rapid deposit sequences, or escalating bet sizes. Where patterns suggest concern, we proactively reach out to players to offer support.
Our 24/7 Customer Support team includes staff trained in responsible gambling conversations. They can help you activate any of the tools on this page, refer you to external support organisations, or simply talk through your concerns — in English, Bahasa Melayu, or Chinese.
Every responsible gambling tool available on online138 is free to use, available immediately, and accessible directly from your Account settings. You do not need to contact Customer Support to activate most of them — though our team is always available if you prefer to speak to someone.
Setting limits before you play — rather than after you've already reached your limit — is the single most effective way to keep gambling enjoyable and within your means. We strongly encourage all players, whether they feel at risk or not, to use these tools proactively.
Cap the total amount you can deposit into your online138 account within any rolling 24-hour, 7-day, or 30-day period. For example, setting a monthly limit of RM 500 ensures your total exposure never exceeds what you've decided in advance is comfortable. You can review and adjust limits at any time through Account Settings.
A loss limit caps the total net losses you can incur across casino games and sports betting within a set period. Once the limit is reached, you cannot place any further bets until the period resets. This is separate from — and complementary to — deposit limits, and directly addresses the financial impact of play.
Set a session duration threshold — for example, 60 or 90 minutes — and online138 will display a visible on-screen notification when that time has elapsed. You choose whether to continue or to step away. This tool is particularly useful for live casino and in-play sports betting, where time can pass without notice.
Take a temporary pause from gambling without closing your account permanently. Choose from 24 hours, 7 days, 30 days, or 90 days. During a cooling-off period, you cannot log in, deposit, or place any bets. Your account data and balance are preserved. Cooling-off periods cannot be reversed once activated.
If you believe your gambling has become a problem or you simply want a longer-term break, self-exclusion is the most comprehensive tool available. Exclusion periods range from 6 months to permanent. Your account is fully locked, all marketing communications are stopped, and you cannot request reinstatement for at least 6 months. To activate self-exclusion, contact our support team via live chat.
Problem gambling — sometimes called gambling disorder — is a condition where gambling behaviour becomes harmful to the individual and to the people around them. It is not a character flaw or a sign of weakness. It is a recognised behavioural condition that can affect anyone, regardless of background, income, or level of experience with gambling.
In Malaysia, problem gambling affects individuals across all communities and cities — from Kuala Lumpur and Petaling Jaya to Johor Bahru and Penang. The pressures of everyday life, financial stress, and the increasing accessibility of online platforms can all be contributing factors.
The good news is that problem gambling is treatable. With the right support — whether through professional counselling, peer support groups, or the practical tools available on online138 — recovery is very much achievable.
Chasing losses: Continuing to gamble to try to win back money you have already lost, rather than accepting a loss and stopping.
Spending beyond your means: Using money set aside for rent, food, bills, or other essentials to fund gambling activity.
Hiding gambling behaviour: Concealing the amount of time or money spent gambling from family members, friends, or colleagues.
Emotional dependence: Feeling irritable, anxious, or depressed when not gambling, or primarily to escape stress, boredom, or negative emotions.
Loss of time control: Finding that gambling sessions consistently last much longer than you planned, or that you are unable to stop when you intended to.
Relationship or work impacts: Gambling is causing conflict with family, friends, or affecting your performance or attendance at work.
Escalating stakes: Neding to bet increasingly larger amounts to get the same level of excitement or to feel engaged with the activity.
This brief self-assessment is adapted from internationally recognised screening tools. It is not a clinical diagnosis — but if you answer "Yes" to three or more of these questions, we strongly encourage you to speak with one of the support organisations listed below.
You do not have to face a gambling problem alone. The organisations below offer free, confidential support in Malaysia and internationally — available by phone, online chat, and in-person counseling.
Malaysia's national helpline operated by the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development. Provides free, confidential counseling and crisis support in Bahasa Melayu and English. Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Text or call 15999. This number is text-only — please do not attempt to use it as a clickable link on this page.
GamCare is one of the UK's leading organisations providing support and counseling for anyone affected by problem gambling. Their resources — including online chat, a helpline, and a national treatment referal service — are accessible to international users. Note: do not access via a clickable link from this page. Search independently for GamCare online.
Gamblers Anonymous operates a peer-support programme based on a twelve-step recovery model. Meetings are held in Kuala Lumpur and other major Malaysian cities, and are free to attend. No registration or prior appointment is required. Meetings are open to anyone who wishes to stop gambling. Contact details are available through GA's international network.
HUKM's Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health in Kuala Lumpur provides clinical assessment and treatment for behavioural addictions including problem gambling. Referals can be made through a general practitioner (GP) or through the hospital's outpatient registration process.
Befrienders provides emotional support to individuals distress, including those dealing with the stress, depression, and anxiety that often accompanies problem gambling. They offer non-judgemental listening and can help connect calers with appropriate professional resources. Multilingual support is available.
Our in-house responsible gambling support team is available 24 hours a day via live chat. They can help you activate deposit limits, cooling-off periods, or self-exclusion, discuss your concerns without judgement, or refer you directly to any of the external support organisations listed on this page.
Taking the first step is the hardest part. Whether you're concerned about your own gambling or that of someone close to you, here is a straightforward path forward — starting with actions you can take right now on the online138 platform, through to accessing professional support.
You do not need to be in crisis to take action. Setting limit, taking a break, or simply starting a conversation with our team costs nothing and could make a meaningful difference.
Stop and honestly assess your recent gambling activity using the self-assessment questions on this page. If you're unsure, consider how you felt during your last session — were you playing for fun, or were you chasing a loss or trying to escape something?
Log in to online138 and navigate to Account Settings > Responsible Gambling. Set a deposit limit, loss limit, or activate a cooling-off period right now — before the next session. Even a small limit creates a meaningful boundary.
If you want to talk to someone or need help activating tools like self-exclusion, open the live chat on online138. Our team is trained, non-judgemental, and available in English, Bahasa Melayu, and Chinese — 24 hours a day.
If you believe you need a longer break, tell our support team you would like to self-exclude. We will close your account within 24 hours and stop all marketing. You can choose a period of 6 months, 1 year, 5 years, or permanent exclusion.
Contact Talian Kasih on 15999, or search for Gamblers Anonymous Malaysia or GamCare online. These organisations provide free, confidential, professional support — and speaking to them does not require you to have already hit rock bottom.
Speaking honestly with a trusted friend, family member, or colleague can be one of the most powerful steps in addressing gambling concern. Problem gambling often thrives in secrecy — breaking that silence, even once, changes the dynamic significantly.
Certain individuals may be more vulnerable to the harms associated with gambling than others. online138 has specific policies and practices in place for players who have self-identified as vulnerable, who are under third-party exclusion orders, or who have shown patterns that trigger our responsible gambling monitoring system.
If you have a family member who you believe is gambling problematically online138, please contact our support team. While we are unable to share Account information due to privacy obligations, we can confirm whether a self-exclusion request from the Account holder would be acted upon, and we can provide you with relevant support resources for family members and carers.
Seeing someone you care about struggle with problem gambling is distressing. GamAnon — the support organisation for family members and friends of problem gamblers — offers peer support groups and counselling specifically for those affected by another person's gambling. In Malaysia, contact Gamblers Anonymous Malaysia for a referral to GamAnon meetings.
Most players who gamble responsibly do so because they have set clear boundaries before they play. These principles are simple — but putting them into practice consistently is what separates enjoyable gambling from harmful gambling.
Set a gambling budget that is separate from your essential living expenses. If losing that amount would cause genuine financial hardship, it is too much.
Decide how long you will play before you open the platform. Use online138's session timer tool to enforce it. When the timer goes off, close the session — regardless of whether you are ahead or behind.
Online casino games and sports betting carry a house edge — over time, the mathematical expectation is a net loss. Treat any winings as a bonus, not a financial plan. Never gamble to pay bills.
Step away from the screen regularly — even during winning streaks. Fatigue and emotional states affect decision-making more than most players realise. A break preserves both your bankroll and your enjoyment.
Our responsible gambling tools are built into every account. Set your limits, play within them, and enjoy online138's casino games and sports betting for what they are — entertainment. If you ever need help, we are here,24/7.
For players aged 21 and above only. Play responsibly.