Responsible Gaming
Gambling should always stay a fun, optional pastime — never a way to make money or solve a problem. Here's how to keep it that way, and where to get free, confidential help.
Is gambling becoming a problem?
Ask yourself honestly whether any of the following feel familiar:
- Spending more time or money gambling than you planned to
- Chasing losses by gambling more to try to win them back
- Borrowing money or selling belongings to fund gambling
- Feeling irritable, anxious, or low when you try to cut back
- Gambling affecting your work, studies, or relationships
- Lying to family or friends about how much you gamble
If any of this sounds familiar
You're not alone, and support is free, confidential, and available right now. Scroll down for organisations that can help — or use the self-exclusion tools below to take an immediate break.
Jump to Support OptionsTools every UK operator should offer
Deposit limits
Set daily, weekly, or monthly caps on how much you can add to your account.
Reality checks
Pop-up reminders that show elapsed session time so you never lose track.
Time-out
Take a short cooling-off break — typically 24 hours to 6 weeks — without closing your account.
Self-exclusion
Block yourself from an operator, or every UK-licensed operator at once via GamStop, for 6 months to 5 years.
Free, confidential UK help
GamStop
The UK's free multi-operator self-exclusion scheme. Registering restricts your access to every operator licensed in Great Britain for a period you choose.
Visit GamStop ↗BeGambleAware
Independent charity offering free information, support, and treatment referral for anyone affected by gambling harm.
Visit BeGambleAware ↗GamCare
Runs the National Gambling Helpline (free, 24/7) plus live chat, forums, and structured support for anyone worried about their own or someone else's gambling.
Visit GamCare ↗Gamblers Anonymous UK
A fellowship of people who share their experience to help each other recover from a gambling problem, with free meetings across the UK.
Visit Gamblers Anonymous ↗UK Gambling Commission
The statutory regulator for gambling in Great Britain. Verify any operator's licence on their public register before you sign up.
Visit Gambling Commission ↗National Gambling Helpline
Free and confidential, available 24 hours a day via GamCare: 0808 8020 133.
A few ground rules worth keeping
- Only ever gamble with money you can genuinely afford to lose.
- Treat gambling as entertainment, not a way to make income or fix debt.
- Set a deposit limit before you start, and stick to it.
- Never chase losses — walking away is always an option.
- Take regular breaks and avoid gambling when upset, stressed, or intoxicated.
- Keep gambling social and visible — don't hide it from people you trust.
- Use deposit limits, reality checks, or self-exclusion the moment gambling stops feeling fun.