Responsible Gambling – Advice & Support
Gambling should only ever be a form of entertainment. This page provides practical advice on how to keep gambling safe and enjoyable, how to recognise when it might be becoming a problem, and where to find free, confidential support if you or someone you know needs help.
If gambling is no longer fun, stop. If you are worried about your gambling, or if someone else's gambling is affecting you, please contact BeGambleAware on 0808 8020 133 (free, 24/7) or visit GamCare for free advice and support. Help is available now.
Gambling as Entertainment
Keeping gambling enjoyable starts with understanding what it is — and what it isn't.
Casino games, sports betting, and other forms of gambling are designed as entertainment. They provide excitement, a social experience, and a way to pass leisure time. Like going to the cinema or a restaurant, gambling costs money and the outcome is uncertain. The important distinction is that gambling should never be treated as a source of income, a way to pay off debts, or a solution to financial problems.
All casino games are built around a mathematical advantage for the operator, known as the house edge. This means that, over time, the casino will always retain a percentage of the money wagered. Individual sessions can result in wins or losses, but the long-term expectation is that you will spend money rather than make it. Understanding and accepting this is the foundation of responsible gambling.
When gambling remains in perspective — as a leisure activity with a set budget — it can be enjoyable and harmless. Problems arise when it moves beyond entertainment and starts to affect your financial stability, relationships, mental health, or daily responsibilities.
Recognising Problem Gambling
Problem gambling can develop gradually. Being honest with yourself about these warning signs is an important first step.
Problem gambling does not always look the way people expect. It is not limited to people who gamble every day or who bet large amounts. Anyone who gambles can be affected, regardless of how often they play or how much they wager. The key indicator is whether gambling is causing harm — financial, emotional, or relational.
Ask yourself the following questions honestly. If you answer "yes" to any of them, it may be worth reflecting on your gambling habits or speaking to a support service:
- Do you spend more money on gambling than you can comfortably afford to lose?
- Do you chase losses by continuing to gamble in an attempt to win back money?
- Have you borrowed money, sold possessions, or gone without essentials to fund gambling?
- Do you spend more time gambling than you originally intended?
- Has gambling caused arguments with family, friends, or your partner?
- Do you feel anxious, stressed, or irritable when you are not gambling or when you try to cut down?
- Have you lied to others about how much time or money you spend gambling?
- Do you gamble to escape problems, boredom, loneliness, or negative feelings?
- Have you tried to stop or reduce your gambling but found it difficult?
- Has gambling affected your work, studies, or daily responsibilities?
If any of these resonate, please reach out to one of the support organisations listed below. There is no judgement, and help is available free of charge.
Budget & Time Management
Practical strategies to keep gambling within safe limits.
Set a Gambling Budget
Before you start any gambling session, decide how much money you are prepared to spend — and accept that you may lose all of it. This amount should come from your entertainment budget, not from money allocated for rent, bills, food, or savings. Once your budget is gone, stop. Never deposit more to chase losses.
Most UKGC-licensed casinos provide deposit limit tools that allow you to set daily, weekly, or monthly caps on how much you can deposit. We strongly recommend using these tools. They create a hard boundary that cannot be instantly overridden, as increases require a cooling-off period before taking effect.
Set Time Limits
It is easy to lose track of time when gambling online. Set a timer on your phone or use the session time limit tools offered by your casino. When your time is up, stop — regardless of whether you are winning or losing. Regular breaks help you maintain perspective and make rational decisions about whether to continue.
Many casinos now display session duration information and offer reality check notifications that pop up at intervals you choose (for example, every 30 or 60 minutes) to remind you how long you have been playing and how much you have spent. Take advantage of these features.
Never Chase Losses
Chasing losses is one of the most common and damaging behaviours associated with problem gambling. The urge to "win it back" after a losing session is powerful but misguided. Each bet is independent — previous losses do not make future wins more likely. Continuing to gamble in an emotionally charged state almost always leads to greater losses. If you have reached your budget, walk away.
Don't Gamble Under the Influence
Alcohol and drugs impair judgement and lower inhibitions. Gambling while under the influence significantly increases the risk of making poor decisions, exceeding your limits, and experiencing regret. If you have been drinking or are not in a clear state of mind, avoid gambling entirely.
Self-Exclusion & Account Controls
UKGC-licensed casinos are required to provide tools that help you control your gambling. Here's what's available.
GamStop – National Self-Exclusion
GamStop is the UK's free national online self-exclusion scheme. By registering with GamStop, you can exclude yourself from all online gambling websites and apps licensed in Great Britain. You choose the duration: 6 months, 1 year, or 5 years. During your exclusion period, UKGC-licensed operators must take all reasonable steps to prevent you from gambling with them.
Registration is straightforward and can be completed online. You will need to provide personal details so that operators can identify and block your accounts. Once registered, the exclusion cannot be reversed before the chosen period expires. Even after the exclusion period ends, you must actively choose to remove the restriction — it does not lapse automatically.
Deposit Limits
Set daily, weekly, or monthly deposit limits through your casino account settings. Decreases take effect immediately. Increases are subject to a cooling-off period (typically 24 hours), giving you time to reconsider. This is one of the most effective tools for keeping gambling within a comfortable budget.
Reality Checks
Reality check notifications alert you at regular intervals during a session to show how long you have been playing and how much you have won or lost. These reminders help you stay aware of your activity and make conscious decisions about whether to continue. Set them to a frequency that works for you.
Cooling-Off Periods
If you want to take a short break from gambling without committing to full self-exclusion, most casinos allow you to activate a cooling-off period. This temporarily blocks access to your account for a duration you choose, typically ranging from 24 hours to 6 weeks. During this time, you will not be able to log in, deposit, or place bets.
Account Closure
You can close your casino account at any time. Contact the operator's customer support or look for the option in your account settings. If you are closing your account due to gambling concerns, make this clear to the operator — they are required to handle such requests appropriately and may be able to offer additional support.
Bank Gambling Blocks
Many UK banks and financial institutions now allow you to block gambling transactions from your debit card. This can be activated through your banking app and provides an additional layer of protection beyond the tools offered by gambling operators. Banks offering this feature include Barclays, Lloyds, HSBC, NatWest, Monzo, Starling, and others.
How the UK Gambling Commission Protects Players
The UKGC enforces strict requirements on all licensed operators to safeguard players.
The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) is the regulatory body responsible for overseeing all commercial gambling in Great Britain. Its primary objectives include keeping gambling fair and safe, protecting children and vulnerable people from harm, and preventing gambling from being a source of crime. All online casinos operating in the UK must hold a UKGC licence and comply with its conditions.
Key player protection measures enforced by the UKGC include:
- Age verification: Operators must verify that all customers are aged 18 or over before they can deposit or play. This must be completed before any gambling activity can take place.
- Identity and source of funds checks: Know Your Customer (KYC) procedures are mandatory. Operators must verify your identity and may request information about the source of your funds to prevent money laundering and protect vulnerable individuals.
- Fair terms and conditions: Bonus terms, wagering requirements, and all promotional conditions must be presented clearly and not be misleading. The UKGC takes enforcement action against operators who fail to meet these standards.
- Responsible gambling tools: All licensed operators must provide deposit limits, session time limits, reality checks, cooling-off periods, and self-exclusion options.
- Segregation of player funds: Operators must keep player funds separate from business funds, ensuring your money is protected in the event of the operator encountering financial difficulties.
- Credit card ban: Since April 2020, the use of credit cards for gambling transactions has been prohibited across all UKGC-licensed operators, preventing players from gambling with borrowed money.
- Advertising standards: Gambling advertising must not target children or vulnerable people, must not be misleading, and must include responsible gambling messaging.
- Complaints and dispute resolution: All licensed operators must provide a clear complaints process and access to an approved Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) service if a complaint cannot be resolved directly.
Verify a licence: You can check whether a gambling operator is licensed by the UKGC by visiting the UKGC public register. If an operator is not listed, do not gamble with them.
Support Organisations
If you or someone you know is struggling with gambling, these organisations provide free, confidential support.
BeGambleAware
BeGambleAware provides information, advice, and support for anyone affected by problem gambling. Their helpline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Helpline: 0808 8020 133 (free, confidential, 24/7)
GamCare
GamCare provides support, information, and free counselling for anyone harmed by gambling. They operate the National Gambling Helpline and a network of treatment centres across the UK. Support is available via phone, live chat, email, and face-to-face counselling.
Helpline: 0808 8020 133 (free, confidential)
GamStop
GamStop is the UK's free self-exclusion service. Register to exclude yourself from all UKGC-licensed online gambling sites for 6 months, 1 year, or 5 years. Registration is quick, free, and confidential.
Gambling Therapy
Gambling Therapy offers free online support including live chat with trained advisors, peer support forums, self-help tools, and a smartphone app. Their services are available globally and can be accessed anonymously.
You are not alone. Thousands of people seek help for gambling-related issues every year in the UK. Support services are free, confidential, and non-judgemental. Taking the first step to reach out is often the hardest part — but help is genuinely available and effective.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about responsible gambling, self-exclusion, and support.
Remember: Gambling should be fun. If it stops being enjoyable, or if you feel you are losing control, please stop and seek help. Contact BeGambleAware on 0808 8020 133 or visit begambleaware.org for free, confidential support available 24/7.