Responsible Gambling

Gambling should be a form of entertainment, not a way to solve money problems or cope with stress.

If it stops feeling fun, feels difficult to control, or starts affecting your wellbeing, relationships, or finances, it is worth taking a step back.

This page explains practical ways to stay in control, recognise warning signs, and access support in the United Kingdom.

Key principles for staying in control

Set a budget before you start and treat it as a fixed entertainment cost.

Only gamble with money you can afford to lose.

Set a time limit as well as a spending limit.

Avoid gambling when you feel stressed, anxious, upset, or under pressure.

Do not chase losses.

Take regular breaks and keep gambling in balance with other activities.

Warning signs to watch for

You spend more time or money than you planned.

You feel irritated or restless when you cannot gamble.

You try to win back losses by increasing stakes or playing longer.

You hide or downplay your gambling from friends or family.

You borrow money, use credit, or miss payments because of gambling.

Gambling affects your sleep, mood, productivity, or relationships.

Tools that can help immediately

Use deposit, loss, and session limits where available.

Take a time-out for a short break from gambling.

Use self-exclusion if you need a longer reset.

Remove stored payment methods and uninstall gambling apps if you feel tempted.

Block gambling websites and apps using device tools or blocking software.

Ask your bank about gambling blocks and spending controls.

Self-exclusion in the UK: GAMSTOP

GAMSTOP is a free self-exclusion scheme that lets you block access to participating online gambling operators licensed in Great Britain.

You can choose a self-exclusion period and register once to apply it across the network.

If you are struggling to stop, GAMSTOP can be one of the most effective steps you can take.

Support organisations in the UK

If you need help, you do not have to handle it alone.

These organisations offer confidential support, information, and counselling options.

GamCare provides advice, live chat support, counselling, and a National Gambling Helpline.

BeGambleAware offers information and practical resources to help you make safer choices and find support.

Gambling Therapy provides online support and resources for people affected by gambling.

If you feel at immediate risk of harm, contact emergency services right away.

Support for friends and family

Problem gambling can affect partners, friends, and relatives.

If someone close to you is struggling, encourage them to seek support and consider getting advice for yourself as well.

Setting boundaries and avoiding lending money for gambling can be important.

GamCare and BeGambleAware provide resources for affected others.

Protecting minors

Online gambling is for adults only.

If you share devices, use parental controls, device restrictions, and account security tools to prevent underage access.

Keep login details private and enable strong passwords and two-factor authentication where available.

Reality check

Casino games and betting products are designed with a built-in house edge.

There is no guaranteed strategy to win consistently over time.

If you gamble, do so with the expectation that you may lose.

Contact

If you would like to suggest an improvement to this page or report an issue, please contact us using the contact details provided on the website.