Responsible Gaming

Gambling Should Be Entertainment, Not a Way to Earn Money

Betting and casino games are designed as forms of entertainment. They should never be viewed as a source of income, a solution to financial problems, or a way to recover losses. The outcome is always based on chance, and the house has an edge over time. Always gamble with money you can afford to lose, and never chase losses.

Age Verification

In Great Britain, you must be 18 years of age or older to gamble. It is illegal for anyone under 18 to place a bet or play casino games online or in person. Always verify your age using official identification when opening an account. If you are under 18 (or under the legal gambling age in your jurisdiction), do not attempt to gamble. Parents and guardians should use parental controls and filtering software to restrict access to gambling websites on shared devices.

Warning Signs of Problem Gambling

Problem gambling can develop gradually. Recognising early warning signs is a crucial step towards getting help. If you recognise any of the following in yourself or someone you care about, take it seriously:

• Chasing losses – returning to gamble again soon after losing, trying to win back what you lost.
• Hiding gambling from family or friends – lying about time spent gambling, money lost, or secret accounts.
• Spending more time or money on gambling than you planned or can afford.
• Borrowing money, selling possessions, or using essential funds (rent, bills, food) to gamble.
• Feeling irritable, anxious, or restless when trying to cut down or stop gambling.
• Neglecting work, studies, relationships, or personal responsibilities because of gambling.
• Using gambling as a way to escape from stress, anxiety, depression, or other problems.
• Continuing to gamble despite repeated negative consequences, such as financial trouble or relationship breakdowns.

Self-Help Tools

Most licensed UK gambling operators provide practical tools to help you stay in control. These are often available in your account settings. Use them proactively, even if you feel you are gambling safely.

• Deposit limits: Set a maximum amount you can deposit per day, week, or month. Once reached, you cannot deposit more until the limit resets.
• Loss limits: Cap the amount you can lose over a set period. When you hit the limit, you are blocked from further play.
• Reality checks: Enable pop-up reminders that show how long you have been playing and how much you have spent or won. Use these to take regular breaks.
• Self-exclusion: Temporarily or permanently block yourself from accessing a gambling site. In the UK, you can also self-exclude from all licensed online operators at once via GAMSTOP.
• Time-outs / cool-off periods: Take a short break from gambling for 24 hours to several weeks.
• Session limits: Limit how long you can play in one session.

Support Organisations

If you are concerned about your own gambling or that of someone else, free and confidential help is available. Contact the most relevant organisation for your location:

United Kingdom

• GamCare – The leading provider of information, advice, and support for anyone affected by problem gambling. National Gambling Helpline: 0808 8020 133 (free, 24/7). Website: www.gamcare.org.uk
• GamStop – Free, independent self-exclusion scheme for UK-licensed online gambling sites. Register once to block yourself from all participating operators. Website: www.gamstop.co.uk

Australia

• Gambling Help Online – Free, confidential support for Australians affected by gambling. 24/7 helpline: 1800 858 858. Website: www.gamblinghelponline.org.au

Canada

• Responsible Gambling Council (RGC) – Provides resources, education, and support for safer gambling across Canada. Website: www.responsiblegambling.org

United States

• National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) – The national advocate for problem gamblers and their families. Helpline: 1-800-GAMBLER. Website: www.ncpgambling.org

Germany

• Bundeszentrale für gesundheitliche Aufklärung (BZgA) – Federal Centre for Health Education. Offers information and help for gambling problems. Website: www.bzga.de (search for "Glücksspielsucht").

Other Countries

For other regions, please contact your local national gambling support service or health authority. You can also visit Gambling Therapy or search for "problem gambling help [your country]" to find appropriate resources.

If You Have a Problem, Seek Help Now

Problem gambling is a recognised mental health condition, and recovery is possible. You are not alone. Talking to someone you trust is a powerful first step. Free, confidential support is available 24/7 in the UK through the National Gambling Helpline at 0808 8020 133 or via live chat on the GamCare website. If you need immediate protection against online gambling, register with GamStop today.

Remember: seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness. The sooner you reach out, the sooner you can regain control.