Safer gambling
Responsible Gaming
Gambling should be entertainment, never a way to make money or escape problems. Help is free, confidential and available 24 hours a day.
Need to talk to someone now? Call the National Gambling Helpline free on 0808 8020 133 (24/7) or chat online at gamcare.org.uk.
Keep it fun
- Decide how much you can afford to lose before you start, and stick to it.
- Set a time limit and take regular breaks.
- Never chase losses. Losing is part of gambling; chasing makes it worse.
- Don't gamble when upset, stressed, tired or under the influence of alcohol.
- Balance gambling with other activities and never borrow money to gamble.
Tools every UK licensed operator must offer
- Deposit limits - cap how much you can deposit daily, weekly or monthly.
- Reality checks - on-screen reminders of how long you have been logged in.
- Time-outs - lock your account for 24 hours up to six weeks.
- Self-exclusion - close your account for a minimum of six months.
Warning signs
Spending more than you planned, hiding gambling from others, gambling to win back losses, or feeling anxious or irritable when not gambling can all be signs that gambling is becoming a problem. If any of these sound familiar, please reach out.
Where to get help
- GAMSTOP - free self-exclusion from every UK licensed online operator for 6 months, 1 year or 5 years.
- BeGambleAware - information, advice and a free helpline: 0808 8020 133.
- Gamblers Anonymous UK - peer support meetings across the UK and online.
- GamCare - free counselling, live chat and support for families.
- UK Gambling Commission - the regulator; check any operator's licence on the public register.
Under 18?
Gambling is illegal for anyone under 18 in the UK. Parents can use blocking software such as Gamban or Net Nanny to restrict access to gambling websites.