6
Player protection tools
24/7
Self-exclusion available
∞
Permanent exclusion option
Understanding Responsible Gambling
Responsible gambling is not about avoiding risk entirely — it is about keeping your relationship with gambling healthy, informed and within your personal means. For the vast majority of players across Karachi, Rawalpindi, Faisalabad and every other city in Pakistan, gambling is an occasional entertainment activity that adds excitement to sports like cricket, football and live casino games. The problems arise when gambling transitions from a recreational pastime into something that feels compulsive, out of control or financially harmful.
At 98tb, our commitment to responsible gambling runs through every part of the platform. It influences how we design account tools, how we communicate promotions and how we respond when a player signals they need support. We do not see responsible gambling as a compliance checkbox — we see it as a core part of being a trustworthy platform for Pakistani users.
What Does Gambling Responsibly Look Like?
- You set a budget before you start — and you stick to it, whether you are winning or losing.
- You think of any losses as the cost of entertainment, not money that must be "won back."
- You take regular breaks and do not let gambling interfere with family, work or daily life.
- You never gamble while emotionally distressed, intoxicated or under financial pressure.
- You understand that all games carry a house edge and that no system guarantees long-term profit.
Gambling outcomes are determined by random number generators and statistical probabilities. The house edge is a mathematical certainty over time. Past results — whether a cricket match ended in a win or a slot reel landed on a jackpot — have no influence whatsoever on future outcomes.
Age Verification & Underage Access
Protecting minors is one of the most important responsibilities of any online gambling platform. 98tb enforces a strict minimum age of 18 years — or the higher minimum required by the relevant operator or licence jurisdiction. This is non-negotiable and applies to every user regardless of city or circumstance.
How Age Is Verified
When you create an account on 98tb, you are required to confirm your date of birth. This self-declaration is the first layer of age-gating. For users who wish to access real-money features, additional identity documents may be requested through a Know Your Customer (KYC) process. KYC typically involves submitting a government-issued photo ID, such as a Pakistani CNIC (Computerised National Identity Card), which clearly shows your date of birth.
Any account where age cannot be satisfactorily verified will have real-money features suspended immediately, pending resolution. If a verified minor is discovered to have registered on the platform, their account is closed without delay and any balance is handled in accordance with applicable operator policies.
Parental Controls & Underage Access Prevention
- Keep your login credentials private and never share your account password with a younger family member.
- Use device-level parental control software to restrict access to gambling websites on shared computers, tablets or phones.
- If you suspect a minor has accessed a gambling platform, contact the operator's support team immediately.
- Parents and guardians in Pakistan can explore filtering tools available through ISPs and device manufacturers to block gambling-category websites.
Underage gambling is illegal and harmful. It is your responsibility as an account holder to ensure that no one under the minimum age uses your 98tb account. If you believe a child has been exposed to gambling content, please contact us at [email protected] immediately so we can assist.
How to Set Your Limits
98tb provides a structured limits framework that allows you to define precise boundaries around your gambling activity. All limit changes are processed through your Account Settings panel. Here is an overview of what each limit type covers:
| Limit Type |
What It Controls |
Time Frames Available |
Takes Effect |
| Deposit Limit |
Maximum PKR deposited per period |
Daily / Weekly / Monthly |
Immediately (reductions) |
| Loss Limit |
Maximum PKR lost per period |
Daily / Weekly / Monthly |
Immediately (reductions) |
| Session Limit |
Maximum continuous play time |
Per session (minutes) |
Next session |
| Wager Limit |
Maximum stake per single bet |
Daily / Weekly / Monthly |
Immediately (reductions) |
| Cool-Off Period |
Temporary account pause |
24h / 48h / 1 week / 1 month |
Immediately |
| Self-Exclusion |
Full account block |
30d / 90d / 180d / Permanent |
Immediately — irreversible during period |
Reducing any limit is always instant. Increasing a limit or removing a restriction requires a mandatory waiting period — this cooling-off period is a deliberate safety measure designed to prevent impulsive decisions during a losing streak or a high-emotion sports betting event like a Pakistan vs India cricket match.
Pro tip: Set your limits before your first deposit — not after a bad session. Limits set when you are calm and clear-headed are always more effective than limits set reactively.
Self-Exclusion in Detail
Self-exclusion is the strongest player-protection tool available on the 98tb platform. If you feel that your gambling has become problematic — even slightly — self-exclusion allows you to take a firm, enforced break without relying on willpower alone.
What Happens When You Self-Exclude
- Your account is locked immediately and you cannot log in, deposit or place bets.
- All promotional and marketing emails, SMS messages and push notifications are stopped.
- Any pending withdrawal requests are processed and paid out according to normal timelines.
- Your account data is retained securely for the duration of the exclusion and beyond, in compliance with applicable data protection requirements.
- Re-registration on the same or associated operator platform is blocked during the exclusion period.
Exclusion Periods
You can choose a defined period (30 days, 90 days or 180 days) or opt for permanent self-exclusion. Defined-period exclusions cannot be shortened once activated — the cooling-off period is enforced by the system, not just a policy statement. Permanent exclusion is exactly that: a lifetime block with no reversal pathway.
After Your Exclusion Period Ends
When a defined exclusion period expires, your account does not automatically reactivate. You must take a deliberate, affirmative step to request reinstatement, which includes a mandatory 24-hour reflection period before access is restored. This friction is intentional — returning to gambling should always be a considered decision.
Self-exclusion is serious. Once activated, it cannot be reversed for the chosen period under any circumstances, including claims of changed circumstances or financial urgency. If you are unsure, consider a shorter cool-off period first to test your resolve.
Warning Signs to Watch For
Problem gambling does not always announce itself with a dramatic event. It often creeps in gradually, through subtle shifts in behaviour and priorities. Being honest with yourself about the following warning signs is the first step toward getting help:
Behavioural Warning Signs
- Spending more time or money gambling than you originally planned or can afford.
- Chasing losses — increasing your stakes to try to recover money you have lost.
- Lying to family members in Karachi, Lahore or elsewhere about how much you have spent or how often you gamble.
- Gambling as a way to escape stress, anxiety, boredom or personal problems.
- Neglecting work, studies, family or social obligations because of gambling.
- Borrowing money, selling possessions or using household funds (including JazzCash or Easypaisa wallets) to fund gambling.
- Feeling irritable, anxious or restless when you try to reduce or stop gambling.
Financial Warning Signs
- Gambling with money earmarked for rent, utilities, school fees or groceries.
- Taking out loans or credit specifically to gamble.
- Depleting savings accounts, including bank accounts at HBL, UBL, Meezan Bank or Bank Alfalah, to fund play.
- Hiding bank statements or transaction histories from a spouse or parent.
If you recognise two or more of these signs in yourself, please reach out for support. Acknowledging the issue is always the hardest step — everything after that gets easier with the right help.
Support & Help Resources
If you or someone you care about is struggling with gambling, professional support is available. While 98tb is not a counselling service, we strongly encourage players to seek help from recognised organisations and mental health professionals. Below are the types of resources available:
Types of Support Available
- Helplines and hotlines: Many jurisdictions that licence online gambling operators maintain confidential helplines staffed by trained counsellors. Check the support section of the operator platform you are using for the relevant contact details.
- Online self-help programmes: Structured, anonymous programmes available through responsible gambling organisations that help players identify and change harmful patterns.
- Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT): A clinically proven approach that addresses the thought patterns driving compulsive gambling. Available through trained psychologists and mental health clinics across Pakistan's major cities.
- Peer support groups: Community-based groups (including online communities) where individuals share experiences and coping strategies in a supportive, non-judgemental environment.
- Family counselling: Services designed to help family members in Islamabad, Multan, Peshawar and elsewhere understand and respond constructively to a loved one's gambling problem.
How 98tb Can Help
Directly through the platform, 98tb can:
- Activate self-exclusion immediately upon your request via the Account Settings or by contacting support at [email protected].
- Provide a full transaction history so you can review your spending honestly.
- Remove you from all marketing lists permanently upon request.
- Apply account restrictions faster than standard cooling-off periods in genuinely urgent cases — contact support directly.
Asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness. Millions of people around the world manage and overcome gambling problems every year with the right support. You do not have to deal with this alone.
Gambling & Pakistani Law
98tb is an information and entertainment platform serving Pakistani users in English. We believe our users deserve a clear, honest picture of the legal context surrounding online gambling in Pakistan.
The primary legislation governing gambling in Pakistan is the Prevention of Gambling Act, 1977. This Act broadly prohibits public gambling and the maintenance of common gaming houses. Provincial ordinances and local regulations may impose additional restrictions. Online gambling occupies a complex and evolving legal space — neither comprehensively legalised nor uniformly enforced in Pakistan at the time of writing.
Important disclaimer: This is general background information, not legal advice. 98tb does not hold a Pakistani gambling licence and does not claim to be authorised, approved or regulated by the Government of Pakistan, PTA, the State Bank of Pakistan, any provincial authority or any Pakistani financial institution. Users are solely responsible for ensuring their own compliance with applicable local laws before using any online gambling platform.
References to payment methods such as Easypaisa, JazzCash, Raast, HBL, UBL, Meezan Bank and Bank Alfalah are contextual only. They do not imply that these providers endorse, support or facilitate gambling transactions. Any financial activity takes place directly on the relevant operator's platform under that operator's terms and applicable law.
If you are uncertain about the legal status of online gambling in your province or city, please consult a qualified Pakistani legal professional before engaging with any gambling platform.
Practical Tips for Safe Play
Building good habits around gambling does not require a dramatic intervention. Small, consistent choices made every time you play add up to a genuinely safer experience over the long term. Here are some practical guidelines used by responsible gamblers worldwide:
Before You Start Playing
- Set a budget: Decide exactly how much PKR you are willing to spend during this session — and treat it as already spent. You are buying entertainment, not investing.
- Set a time limit: Decide in advance how long you will play. Set a phone alarm if it helps.
- Check your mood: Do not gamble when you are angry, stressed, grieving or under the influence of anything. Emotional states impair decision-making and increase risk-taking.
- Know the game: Understand the rules and the house edge of whatever you are playing before you wager real money. A PSL cricket bet and a live roulette spin carry very different risk profiles.
While You Are Playing
- Take a short break every hour — get up, have some chai, step away from the screen.
- Never chase losses. If you have hit your loss limit, stop. The session is over.
- Do not increase your stake size to compensate for a losing run. This is the fastest route to losing far more than planned.
- Pay attention to reality check notifications when they appear. They are there for your benefit.
After Your Session
- Review your session spending honestly — compare actual spend against your pre-session budget.
- If you regularly overspend your budget, lower your deposit limit via Account Settings before your next session.
- Talk openly with a trusted friend or family member about your gambling if you feel it is getting out of hand. Secrecy is one of the most reliable indicators of a developing problem.
Gambling is most enjoyable when it is one of many leisure activities in your life — not the only one. Keep space for friends, family, sports, and everything else that makes life in Pakistan rich and rewarding.