Responsible Gambling – ST789 Looking After Your Wellbeing

Responsible gaming means enjoying gambling — whether that is playing live baccarat on ST789, placing a bet on a Lee Zii Jia badminton match, or trying your luck on a jackpot slot — in a way that is controlled, informed, and does not negatively affect other areas of your life.

At its core, gambling is a form of entertainment. Just like watching a Malaysia Super League or EPL match at the mamak with friends, playing at an online casino should be a fun and relaxing activity. Problems arise when gambling stops being entertainment and starts becoming a need or an obsession.

ST789 believes that responsible gambling is not solely the individual player's responsibility — it is also the platform's. That is why we invest significant time and resources into developing gaming control tools, training our support team, and publishing educational guides that help our members make smarter playing decisions every day.

Before you open a baccarat table or hit the spin button on a jackpot slot at ST789, it helps to keep these five simple principles in mind — the foundation of a healthy gaming experience:

• Set a Budget Before You Play: Decide in advance how much you are comfortable spending on entertainment today or this week. Think of it like budgeting for a karaoke night or a trip to the movies — set a limit and stick to it. Use ST789's Deposit Limit feature to automatically enforce that limit.
• Set a Time Limit: Time flies when you are deep in a game. Set your session time limit before you start — for example, one hour only — and respect that limit when the time comes. ST789's Reality Check feature can help remind you automatically.
• Don't Chase Your Losses: This is one of the most common mistakes in gambling. When you take a loss, the natural urge is to keep playing in hopes of winning it back. This almost always leads to even greater losses. Accept today's losses as the cost of entertainment and try again another day.
• Don't Play When You're Stressed or Feeling Low: Emotional instability clouds our judgement and decision-making. Don't use gambling as an escape from problems or as a way to cope with depression. Only play when you are in a positive, calm state of mind and can make rational decisions.
• Maintain a Healthy Life Balance: Gambling should be just one of many activities in your life — not the only one. Make sure you are still spending quality time with family and friends, and pursuing other hobbies and interests. When gambling starts to overshadow these other areas of your life, that is a serious warning sign.

Problem gambling or gambling addiction can affect anyone, regardless of background, income, or education level. The key is recognizing the early warning signs before things get more serious. Here are some signs to watch for in yourself or someone you care about:

Financial Behaviour-Related Signs:

• Borrowing money from family or friends, or pawning assets to fund gambling.
• Neglecting important bills such as rent, utilities, or vehicle loans in order to have money for gambling.
• Using savings or emergency funds for gambling purposes.
• Hiding gambling expenses from a partner or family members.
• Frequently borrowing small amounts from various people without explaining the reason.

Behavioural Warning Signs:

• Unable to stop playing even when you have intended to.
• Constantly thinking about gambling — planning your next session or thinking about how to get money to play.
• Needing to bet increasingly larger amounts to feel the same level of excitement (increasing tolerance).
• Feeling restless, irritable, or distressed when trying to stop or cut back on gambling.
• Lying to those around you about how much you gamble.

Signs Related to Personal Life:

• Gambling is beginning to affect relationships with family or a partner.
• Declining work or academic performance as a result of gambling.
• Withdrawing from social activities previously enjoyed in order to spend more time gambling.
• Using gambling as a way to cope with stress, anxiety, or depression.

Sound budget management is the foundation of a responsible gambling experience. Here is a practical guide for Malaysian players on setting a sensible gaming budget:

Step 1 — Calculate Your Monthly Net Income: Start with your net income after all deductions such as EPF, SOCSO, and income tax.

Step 2 — Deduct All Fixed Expenses: Subtract all fixed commitments such as rent or mortgage, utility bills, vehicle instalments, insurance, family expenses, and monthly savings (at least 10% of income).

Step 3 — Allocate Your Entertainment Budget: From your disposable income, set an overall entertainment budget — covering meals out, movies, outings with friends, and gambling. Financial experts generally recommend allocating no more than 5% of your income to entertainment overall.

Step 4 — Set Your Limits on ST789: Enter the monthly limit you have decided on into the ST789 Deposit Limit feature. This ensures you cannot exceed your budget even if you get carried away in the excitement of playing.

Step 5 — Monthly Review: At the end of every month, review your transaction history on ST789 to make sure your gaming spend stays within the budget you've set. Adjust as needed.

The ST789 minimum deposit is RM10 — allowing you to enjoy the full playing experience without having to spend a large amount. Remember, the primary goal is to have fun, not to get rich through gambling.

ST789 takes seriously its responsibility to ensure our platform remains inaccessible to children and minors under the age of 18. Here are the measures we take, along with steps parents or guardians can take to protect their children:

ST789 Steps:

• Mandatory age verification during registration — applicants must confirm they are 18 years of age or older.
• The KYC process requires identity documents for the first withdrawal, which also verifies the member's actual age.
• A detection system that monitors usage patterns which may indicate the account is being used by a minor.
• Immediate closure of accounts suspected to belong to or be used by underage individuals.

Steps Parents Can Take:

• Always log out of your ST789 account after you finish playing, especially when using a device shared with children.
• Make sure your ST789 account is protected with a strong, unique password that your children do not know.
• Use parental control software on devices your children have access to, in order to block access to gambling websites.
• Have an open conversation with your teenage children about the risks of gambling and why it is not suitable for those under age.

If you suspect someone underage is using an ST789 account — whether your own account or another — please contact our support team immediately at support@st789.biz. We will respond quickly and take the matter seriously.

If you or someone you know is struggling with a gambling problem, the most important thing is to seek help. This is not a sign of weakness — it is a sign of courage and remarkable self-awareness.

The ST789 support team is trained to assist members dealing with problem gambling issues. We will not judge or marginalise you — our goal is to ensure you get the help you need, whether that means activating self-exclusion, setting control limits, or simply talking through your concerns.

Beyond ST789's internal support, we also encourage members to seek professional help when needed. If gambling has begun to affect your daily life, please reach out to a counselling service or relevant helpline in Malaysia.

How to Contact the ST789 Responsible Gambling Support Team:

• Live Chat: Click the chat icon on the ST789 platform — response within two minutes, 24/7.
• Email: support@st789.biz with the subject "Responsible Gambling" — response within 24 hours.
• WhatsApp: The number is available in the Support section after logging in to your account.