What a cookie does
A cookie is a small text file a website stores on your device. It records things like the fact that you are signed in, which language you chose, or which section you looked at last. Without them every click would start from nothing.
A cookie cannot read anything from your device that was not written into it. It is not a program and it does not see other files.
The four groups in use
The files fall into four categories, each with its own purpose and its own lifespan.
| Type | Purpose | Can it be switched off |
|---|---|---|
| Strictly necessary | signing in, holding the session, completing a payment | no, the site will not work without them |
| Functional | remembering language, odds format and preferences | yes, at a cost in convenience |
| Analytics | measuring visitor numbers and page use | yes |
| Marketing | showing more relevant offers | yes |
Session cookies disappear when you close the browser. Persistent cookies stay until their term expires or you clear them. External providers, for statistics or payments, may set their own, and those follow that provider's policy.
Decide what gets stored
Every browser has cookie settings. You can refuse all of them, allow them per site, ask for a prompt on each new file, or clear what is stored. The options sit under privacy or security in the browser menu.
Switch everything off and signing in stops working reliably, with parts of the platform hanging. If the goal is only to lose measurement and advertising, block the analytics and marketing groups specifically and leave the necessary ones in place.
Clearing cookies while signed in logs you out and you will sign in again. That same step also fixes a page stuck on stale session data, which is worth remembering before contacting support.
Back to the home page. See also terms and conditions, privacy policy and responsible gambling.