hq117 is committed to providing a safe, controlled gaming environment for every player. Gambling should always be entertaining — never a source of financial pressure or personal harm. Read this page if you play on hq117 or support someone who does.
At hq117, responsible gambling is not a disclaimer buried in the footer — it is a core operating principle that shapes how the platform is built, how accounts are managed and how player welfare is treated day to day. Pakistan has one of the youngest and most digitally active populations in the world, and a significant portion of our players are accessing online gaming for the first time. That makes the responsibility we carry even more real.
Gambling can be a genuinely enjoyable leisure activity — watching a PSL T20 match with a live cricket bet open, playing a few rounds of a slots game during downtime, or trying your hand at a live blackjack table. When it is approached with clear limits, realistic expectations and genuine self-awareness, gaming stays in the entertainment column. The problems emerge when gambling becomes a compulsion, when losses are chased, or when players start treating the platform as a financial strategy rather than a pastime.
hq117 provides a range of player-protection tools directly within your account — deposit limits, loss limits, session time controls, cooling-off periods and self-exclusion options. These tools exist to help you stay in control. This page explains all of them clearly and tells you exactly how to activate each one.
We also want to be honest about the legal picture. Pakistan has gambling restrictions under the Prevention of Gambling Act, 1977. hq117 does not operate under Pakistani licensing and does not represent that use of this platform is lawful in Pakistan. Users are individually responsible for understanding and complying with applicable laws in their jurisdiction. This page is not legal advice.
Every hq117 account comes with these player-protection tools as standard. You do not need to contact support to set most of them — they are accessible directly from your account settings.
Set a maximum amount you can deposit to your hq117 account within a daily, weekly or monthly period. Once a limit is reached, further deposits are blocked until the period resets. Reductions take effect immediately. Increases are subject to a cooling-off period before they become active, giving you time to reconsider.
Active immediatelySet a cap on the maximum net amount you can lose within a chosen rolling period — daily, weekly or monthly. When your net losses hit the limit you have set, your account will be restricted from further Real Money Play until the period expires. This tool is particularly useful if you want to keep gambling strictly within a defined entertainment budget measured in PKR.
Player-definedSet a maximum session duration, after which the platform will alert you that your time limit has been reached. You can choose to receive a reminder only, or to have the session automatically terminated. Time controls are especially effective at preventing the loss-of-track-of-time pattern that often accompanies longer gaming sessions on mobile devices.
With alertsEnable in-session pop-up reminders at intervals you choose — every 15, 30, 60 minutes or longer. Each reminder displays how long you have been playing and your net result for the session. Reality checks are a simple but effective tool for staying aware of time spent and money wagered, especially during fast-paced games like crash titles or live betting on cricket markets.
Interval-basedRequest a temporary pause on your account ranging from 24 hours to several weeks. During a cooling-off period, your account remains active for viewing purposes but Real Money Play and deposits are suspended. This is ideal if you feel you need a short break without committing to a full self-exclusion. Contact [email protected] to activate a cooling-off period instantly.
Temporary pauseIf you feel that your gambling is no longer under control, self-exclusion is the strongest tool available. You can request exclusion for a minimum defined period or on an indefinite basis. Once active, your account will be closed to all Real Money Play and all promotional communications will cease. To activate self-exclusion, contact [email protected] — this will be processed immediately on request.
Most powerful toolSetting limits on your hq117 account is quick and straightforward. Understanding how each type works in practice helps you choose the right combination for your situation.
Any reduction you make to a deposit or loss limit takes effect immediately — there is no delay and no override. If you lower your weekly deposit cap from PKR 5,000 to PKR 2,000, the new cap applies right away.
Increases are intentionally not instant. A cooling-off period applies before a higher limit becomes active. This is a deliberate player-protection measure — it gives you time to reflect before a larger budget becomes available.
You can remove a voluntarily set limit, but like increases, this is not instant. The existing limit remains in force for a reflection period before it is lifted. You can reverse a removal request within this window.
Self-exclusion is not a limit — it is a full account closure for gambling purposes. Unlike limits, self-exclusion cannot be reversed during the active exclusion period. Minimum exclusion durations apply. Once active, it takes full effect immediately.
If you feel your gambling is out of control right now, do not wait. Contact hq117 support immediately and request self-exclusion. This is the most effective action you can take, and it will be processed without delay. Support is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Email (plain text — not a clickable link):
[email protected]
Subject line: "Self-Exclusion Request — [your username]"
Gambling is entertainment, not income
Losses are affordable and expected
Sessions have clear start and end times
Gambling doesn't affect relationships or work
These indicators are illustrative guidance only — they are not a clinical assessment tool.
Problem gambling can develop gradually. Recognising the warning signs early — in yourself or in someone you know — makes a real difference to outcomes. These are common indicators that gambling may be becoming harmful.
Continuing to play with the primary goal of winning back money that has already been lost, rather than for entertainment value.
Thinking about gambling continuously — planning the next session, calculating potential winnings, or reliving previous results throughout the day.
Wagering amounts that exceed what you can comfortably afford to lose — including using money allocated for essential expenses such as rent, food, bills or transport.
Concealing the extent of your gambling activity from family, friends or colleagues — including hiding device usage, transaction records or the time spent on gaming platforms.
Taking loans, advances or borrowing money from family or friends specifically to fund gambling activity, or using credit facilities for deposits.
Using gambling as the primary outlet for dealing with stress, anxiety, boredom or emotional difficulties — including gambling to escape problems or improve a low mood.
Making repeated unsuccessful attempts to reduce, control or stop gambling — feeling unable to walk away from a session even when you intended to.
Gambling at the expense of work, studies, family commitments or personal health — including missing work deadlines or social obligations to continue playing.
Acknowledging the signs is the most important first step. hq117 encourages all players to use our self-exclusion and limit tools, which can be activated immediately. If you need to talk to someone, support is available around the clock — contact us at [email protected] (plain text, not a clickable link).
Recognised responsible-gambling support organisations exist internationally and may be accessible to Pakistani residents. We recommend searching for support resources relevant to your country and situation. Speaking to a trusted friend, family member or healthcare professional is also a meaningful step.
This is not a clinical diagnostic tool — it is a personal reflection prompt. Honest answers help you understand your current relationship with gambling. If several of these feel familiar, consider using hq117's limit or self-exclusion tools.
In the past month, have you bet more money than you originally intended to in a session?
Have you tried to win back money after a losing session rather than stopping as planned?
Has gambling affected your ability to meet financial responsibilities — rent, bills, food?
Have you kept the amount of time or money you spend gambling secret from people close to you?
Do you feel anxious, irritable or restless when you are not able to gamble?
Reflection note: If you answered "Sometimes", "Often" or "Always" to any of these questions, it may be worth pausing and reviewing your gambling habits. hq117's protection tools are available immediately from your account settings. You can also contact us at [email protected] for guidance on setting appropriate limits or initiating self-exclusion.
hq117 operates an adults-only platform. Access to Real Money Play is strictly restricted to individuals who are 18 years of age or older — or the higher minimum age required by the operator's license jurisdiction, whichever applies. Age verification through KYC documentation is mandatory before any withdrawal is processed and may be required at earlier stages of account activity.
We strongly encourage parents and guardians across Pakistan — in Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Faisalabad, Multan, Peshawar and everywhere else — to take active steps to prevent underage access to online gaming platforms. This includes using device-level parental controls, browser filtering tools and regular conversations with young people about responsible digital habits and the risks associated with gambling.
If you believe that a minor has accessed or registered on hq117, please contact us immediately at [email protected]. We will investigate and take immediate action, including permanent account closure and deletion of the minor's data.
Set your limits before you play and check in with yourself regularly. hq117's player-protection tools are there whenever you need them — use them.