Responsible Gaming

Safe gambling starts with clear boundaries. These practical strategies can help you maintain control and protect your finances:

• Set a budget before you start playing and never exceed it
• Decide on time limits for each session and stick to them
• Never chase losses by betting more to recover previous stakes
• Take regular breaks to maintain perspective and avoid impulsive decisions
• Avoid gambling when you’re upset, stressed, or under the influence of alcohol
• Keep gambling separate from other activities and responsibilities
• Use deposit limits and reality checks available at licensed operators
• Never borrow money or use credit cards to fund gambling
• Track your spending to understand your actual costs over time
• Treat gambling as entertainment, not a way to earn money

Recognising problem gambling early can prevent serious harm. Watch for these warning signs in yourself or someone you care about:

• Spending more money or time gambling than you can afford
• Lying to family or friends about gambling activities or losses
• Neglecting work, education, or family responsibilities to gamble
• Borrowing money or selling possessions to fund gambling
• Feeling restless, irritable, or anxious when trying to cut down
• Repeatedly trying to stop or reduce gambling without success
• Gambling to escape problems or relieve feelings of guilt or depression
• Chasing losses by gambling more to recover previous stakes
• Jeopardising important relationships or career opportunities
• Relying on others to provide money to relieve financial situations caused by gambling

Online gambling is strictly restricted to individuals aged 18 or over in the United Kingdom. Licensed operators verify your age during registration to protect minors from gambling-related harm. Providing false information about your age is illegal and can result in account closure and loss of funds. Parents and guardians should monitor internet usage and consider parental control software to prevent underage access to gambling sites.

Self-exclusion allows you to block access to your gambling account for a set period or permanently. All UK-licensed operators must offer this option, giving you time to regain control without temptation. You can self-exclude from individual sites or use GAMSTOP, the national self-exclusion scheme that blocks access to all UK-licensed operators simultaneously. The cooling-off period cannot be reversed early, ensuring you have genuine time away from gambling. During exclusion, operators will not send you marketing materials and will prevent you from opening new accounts.

You don’t have to face gambling problems alone. Professional support is available right now:

• GamCare: Free confidential support, counselling, and advice via phone, live chat, and email at www.gamcare.org.uk or 0808 8020 133
• National Gambling Helpline: 24/7 confidential support and information on 0808 8020 133
• Gamblers Anonymous: Free peer support meetings throughout the UK at www.gamblersanonymous.org.uk
• BeGambleAware: Information, advice, and access to free treatment services at www.begambleaware.org
• Gordon Moody Association: Residential treatment programmes and ongoing support at www.gordonmoody.org.uk
• GAMSTOP: National self-exclusion scheme covering all UK-licensed gambling sites at www.gamstop.co.uk
• Citizens Advice: Free advice on gambling-related debt and financial difficulties at www.citizensadvice.org.uk