Responsible Gambling
⚠️ When the Fun Stops, STOP
Gambling should be entertaining. If it's causing problems in your life, it's time to seek help. You are not alone.
🚨 Need Immediate Help?
National Gambling Helpline: 0808 8020 133
Free, confidential support available 24/7
Getting Help & Support
BeGambleAware
The leading charity providing information, advice and support for anyone affected by gambling harms.
- Free helpline: 0808 8020 133
- Live chat support
- Self-exclusion tools
- Financial counseling
GamCare
Provides support, information and advice to anyone affected by problem gambling.
- NetLine: 0808 8020 133
- Online support groups
- Forum community
- Family support
Self-Assessment: Do You Have a Gambling Problem?
Ask Yourself These Questions:
- Do you spend more time or money gambling than you can afford?
- Have you tried to cut down or stop gambling but couldn't?
- Do you feel restless or irritable when trying to cut down on gambling?
- Do you gamble to escape problems or relieve feelings of helplessness, guilt, anxiety, or depression?
- After losing money gambling, do you return another day to try to win back your losses?
- Do you lie to family members or others to hide the extent of your gambling?
- Have you jeopardized or lost a relationship, job, or educational opportunity because of gambling?
- Do you rely on others to provide money to relieve financial situations caused by gambling?
If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, it may be time to seek help.
Tips for Safer Gambling
💰 Set a Budget
Only gamble with money you can afford to lose. Set limits before you start and stick to them.
⏰ Set Time Limits
Decide how much time you'll spend gambling and stick to it. Set alarms if necessary.
🚫 Never Chase Losses
Losing is part of gambling. Never try to win back money you've lost by betting more.
🍺 Don't Gamble Under the Influence
Avoid gambling when you're drinking alcohol or using drugs as it impairs judgment.
⚖️ Keep Life Balanced
Don't let gambling interfere with work, family, friends, or other activities you enjoy.
🎲 Understand the Odds
The house always has an edge. Gambling is entertainment, not a way to make money.
Self-Exclusion & Deposit Limits
Most UK licensed casinos offer tools to help you stay in control:
- Deposit Limits: Set daily, weekly, or monthly spending limits
- Time Limits: Restrict how long you can play in a session
- Self-Exclusion: Temporarily or permanently block access to your account
- GamStop: National self-exclusion scheme that blocks access to all UK licensed gambling sites
🛡️ GamStop
Free service that helps you put barriers in place to restrict your online gambling across all licensed sites.
Visit GamStopWarning Signs of Problem Gambling
⚠️ Look out for these signs:
- Spending more money or time gambling than intended
- Feeling the need to be secretive about gambling
- Having difficulty controlling or stopping gambling
- Gambling despite negative consequences
- Feeling restless or irritable when not gambling
- Using gambling to cope with problems or negative emotions
- Borrowing money or selling possessions to fund gambling
- Neglecting work, family, or social responsibilities
Support for Family & Friends
Problem gambling affects not just the gambler, but their loved ones too. If someone you care about has a gambling problem:
- Don't lend them money or pay their debts
- Be supportive but don't enable their gambling
- Encourage them to seek professional help
- Consider getting support for yourself
- Contact Gamanon for family support groups
Underage Gambling Prevention
All UK licensed casinos have strict age verification processes. It is illegal for anyone under 18 to gamble in the UK. If you suspect underage gambling:
- Report it to the casino operator immediately
- Contact the UK Gambling Commission
- Speak to young people about the risks of gambling
Remember: Gambling Should Be Fun
When gambling stops being entertainment and starts causing problems, it's time to get help.
You are not alone. Help is available 24/7.