Player safety
Responsible gambling
Gambling should stay entertainment. These are the tools, warning signs and free UK support services worth knowing about.
Gambling is 18+ only. It is entertainment, not a way to make money or to solve financial problems. Never gamble with money you cannot afford to lose, and never chase losses.
Warning signs
Problem gambling rarely starts with a single event. These are the patterns worth taking seriously:
- betting more than you planned, or more often than you planned;
- chasing losses in the hope of winning them back;
- gambling with money meant for bills, rent or food;
- borrowing money - or hiding gambling - from family and friends;
- feeling anxious, irritable or low when not gambling;
- gambling to escape stress, loneliness or low mood;
- losing interest in work, study, hobbies or relationships.
Tools you can use
Licensed operators are required to offer controls. They are set inside your casino account and take effect immediately:
Deposit limits
Cap how much you can pay in per day, week or month.
Time-out
Lock your account for a short cooling-off period.
Self-exclusion
Block access for six months or longer.
Loss limits
Set a ceiling on net losses over a chosen period.
Reality checks
Get reminders of how long a session has been running.
Blocking software
Gamban, BetBlocker and similar tools block gambling sites on your devices.
Free UK support
All of the services below are free, confidential and independent of any casino.
| Organisation | What it does | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| GAMSTOP | Free national self-exclusion - blocks you from all UK-licensed gambling sites for 6 months, 1 year or 5 years. | gamstop.co.uk |
| GamCare / National Gambling Helpline | 24/7 confidential helpline, live chat and treatment referrals. | gamcare.org.uk 0808 8020 133 |
| BeGambleAware | Information, self-assessment tools and routes into free treatment. | begambleaware.org |
| Gamblers Anonymous UK | Peer support meetings, in person and online. | gamblersanonymous.org.uk |
| GamFam / Gam-Anon | Support for family members and friends affected by someone else's gambling. | gamanon.org.uk |
| UK Gambling Commission | The regulator. Check whether an operator is licensed before you register. | gamblingcommission.gov.uk |
Protecting under-18s
Gambling by anyone under 18 is illegal in the UK. If children use your devices, consider parental control software such as Net Nanny or Qustodio, keep payment details out of saved browser data, and never let a minor watch or take part in an account session.
A few practical rules
- Set a budget before you start
Decide the amount in advance and treat it as spent.
- Set a time limit
Use reality checks or a phone alarm.
- Never chase
A loss is a loss. Trying to win it back is how sessions get out of control.
- Don't gamble under stress or influence
Tired, upset or drinking - all reduce judgement.
- Take regular breaks
Step away from the screen, and keep other things in the week.