Responsible Gaming
Gambling should always be a form of entertainment, never a way to earn money or solve financial problems. It is important to remember that the odds are always in favour of the house, and losses are a natural part of the experience. Please only gamble with money you can afford to lose, and set clear limits before you start.
Age Verification
In Great Britain, the legal age for gambling is 18 or over. Licensed operators are required by law to verify your age and identity before you can deposit or play. It is illegal for anyone under the age of 18 to gamble. If you are under 18, or if you are of legal age in your jurisdiction but feel you may be at risk, please do not gamble.
Warning Signs of Problem Gambling
Problem gambling can affect anyone. If you recognise any of the following signs in yourself or someone you care about, it may be time to seek help:
- Chasing losses – trying to win back money you have lost by gambling more.
- Hiding your gambling activity from family or friends.
- Spending more time or money on gambling than you intended.
- Borrowing money or selling possessions to fund gambling.
- Lying about how much you gamble.
- Neglecting work, studies, or family responsibilities because of gambling.
- Feeling irritable, restless, or anxious when trying to cut down or stop.
- Using gambling as a way to escape from stress, anxiety, or other problems.
- Gambling until your last pound is gone.
- Repeated unsuccessful efforts to control, cut back, or stop gambling.
Self-Help Tools
Most UK-licensed gambling sites offer a range of practical tools to help you stay in control. These can usually be activated in your account settings at any time:
- Deposit limits – cap how much you can deposit daily, weekly, or monthly.
- Loss limits – set a maximum amount you are willing to lose over a set period.
- Reality checks – receive on-screen reminders of how long you have been playing and how much you have spent.
- Time-outs – take a short break from gambling, usually from 24 hours up to 6 weeks.
- Self-exclusion – block yourself from a specific operator for a longer period, typically 6 months to 5 years.
- GamStop – a free UK-wide service that lets you self-exclude from all licensed online gambling sites at once. Visit www.gamstop.co.uk.
- Account history and activity statements – review your deposits, withdrawals, and time spent to identify patterns.
Support Organisations
If you are worried about your own gambling or someone else’s, please reach out to a professional organisation. Help is free, confidential, and available 24/7 in many cases.
United Kingdom
- GamCare – the leading UK provider of free information, advice, and support for anyone affected by problem gambling. Call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or visit www.gamcare.org.uk.
- GamStop – free self-exclusion scheme for UK-licensed online gambling sites. Register at www.gamstop.co.uk.
Australia
- Gambling Help Online – free, confidential support for Australians. Visit www.gamblinghelponline.org.au or call 1800 858 858.
Canada
- Responsible Gambling Council – provides resources and support to reduce gambling risks. Visit www.responsiblegambling.org.
United States
- National Council on Problem Gambling – call or text 1-800-GAMBLER or visit www.ncpgambling.org.
Germany
- Bundeszentrale für gesundheitliche Aufklärung (BZgA) – provides information and help for gambling addiction. Visit www.bzga.de or call the BZgA gambling helpline on 0800 1372700.
Other countries: If you are outside the UK, Australia, Canada, the US, or Germany, please contact the most relevant national problem gambling organisation in your region. A quick online search for “problem gambling help [your country]” will direct you to a trusted local service.
Seek Help Now
If you feel that gambling is no longer just entertainment, please take the first step today. Talk to someone you trust, activate self-exclusion tools, and contact a support organisation listed above. You are not alone, and help is available. Remember, reaching out is a sign of strength, not weakness.