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Responsible use and helplines
Money on the line helps some people and is the wrong tool for others. Here is who should not pledge money, how to stop a pledge, and where to get free help.
If you are in danger right now
Call your local emergency number: 112 in the EU, 911 in the US, 999 in the UK. In the US you can also call or text 988.
Who should not put money on a pledge
- Anyone under 18. Clearing is for adults only.
- Anyone whose gambling has already led to debts or losses they can’t afford, or who feels unable to stop. Money on the line is the wrong tool then. Talk to one of the helplines below first.
- Anyone for whom losing the amount would cause real hardship.
- Anyone in a mental health crisis.
- Anyone who is being pushed into a pledge by someone else.
The honor pledge works for all of these situations: the same rules, no card and no money. Every other feature of Clearing works without any pledge.
How Clearing limits the risk
- Amounts from 10 to 500. Gambling pledges stop at 100 and start at a suggested 25.
- One charge at most per pledge, then it ends. No escalation, no renewal.
- A 48-hour notice before any charge, with an appeal that a person reads. Nothing is charged while an appeal is open.
- Free withdrawal within 14 days of confirming.
- A hardship release at any time. A person decides within 3 business days; if granted, the pledge ends without a charge.
- After a charge you can start a new pledge after 7 days. The app never prompts you to.
- Nothing is paid out to anyone. The best outcome is that your own money stays yours.
- Gambling helplines are shown in the app next to the amount for gambling pledges.
If a pledge is making things worse
Stop it. Request a hardship release in the app (Pledge → Request hardship release) or on your pledge page. Within the first 14 days you can also withdraw. A short explanation is enough.
Gambling helplines
| Where | Who | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Germany | Phone counselling on gambling, BIÖG (formerly BZgA) Free and anonymous, for you and for relatives. Self-test and online programme at check-dein-spiel.de. | 0800 1 37 27 00 |
| United States | National Problem Gambling Helpline (NCPG) Free and confidential. Call, text or chat online. | 1-800-MY-RESET (1-800-697-3738) |
| United States (New Jersey) | 1-800-GAMBLER, Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey Confidential, 24/7. Call, text or chat. | 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) |
| United Kingdom | National Gambling Helpline (GamCare) Free, 24/7, for England, Scotland and Wales. Also live chat and WhatsApp. | 0808 8020 133 |
Self-exclusion
| Where | Who | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Germany | OASIS player self-exclusion Blocks you from all licensed gambling in Germany, online and in venues. Apply with any licensed provider or with the authority; the consumer centre explains how. | evz.de/themen/einkaufen-digitales/gluecksspiel/spielersperre |
| United Kingdom | GAMSTOP Free self-exclusion from online gambling licensed in Great Britain, for 6 months, 1 year or 5 years. | gamstop.co.uk |
Mental health and crisis lines
There is no national helpline specifically for porn use in these countries. If porn or social media use is weighing on you, these services listen to anything, and a doctor or therapist can help you find treatment.
| Where | Who | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Germany | TelefonSeelsorge Free, day and night. Also chat and email. | 0800 111 0 111 · 0800 111 0 222 · 116 123 |
| United States | 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline Call or text 988, or chat online. Free, confidential, 24/7. | 988 |
| United Kingdom and Ireland | Samaritans Free, any time, day or night. | 116 123 |
Sources
- https://www.check-dein-spiel.de/
- https://www.ncpgambling.org/help-treatment/
- https://800gambler.org/
- https://www.gamcare.org.uk/talk-to-us/
- https://www.evz.de/themen/einkaufen-digitales/gluecksspiel/spielersperre/
- https://www.gamcare.org.uk/self-help/self-exclusion/
- https://www.telefonseelsorge.de/
- https://988lifeline.org/
- https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/
- All entries checked on 20 October 2026.