Responsible Gambling
Gambling should be an enjoyable activity, not a source of financial strain or distress. This page sets out the tools and organisations available to anyone in Great Britain who wants to stay in control — or who feels that gambling may already be causing harm.
Know the Signs of Problem Gambling
Problem gambling can develop gradually. Common warning signs include:
- Spending more than you can afford to lose
- Chasing losses to try to win back money
- Gambling to escape stress, anxiety or low mood
- Hiding gambling activity from friends or family
- Borrowing money or selling possessions to fund gambling
- Feeling unable to stop, even when you want to
If any of these apply to you, free and confidential support is available.
Free Support Organisations in Great Britain
| Organisation | What they offer | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| GamCare | Free counselling, a 24/7 helpline and online chat | 0808 8020 133 (free, 24/7) |
| Gamblers Anonymous | Peer support meetings across the UK | 0330 094 0322 |
| GamAnon | Support for families and friends affected by gambling | 08700 50 88 80 |
| BeGambleAware | Advice, self-assessment tools and treatment referrals | begambleaware.org |
| National Gambling Helpline | Free, confidential advice and referral | 0808 8020 133 (24/7) |
Self-Exclusion: Your Options
GAMSTOP is the UK's free national self-exclusion scheme. Registering blocks you from all online gambling sites licensed by the UK Gambling Commission for a minimum of six months. It is straightforward to join at gamstop.co.uk.
Many of the sites reviewed on our main casino comparison page operate outside GAMSTOP because they hold licences from other regulators. If you wish to self-exclude from those sites, contact each operator's customer support directly and request a self-exclusion. Reputable operators are required by their own licences to honour such requests and to apply account closures promptly.
You can also use your bank or payment provider to block gambling transactions. Most major UK banks — including Monzo, Starling, Barclays and HSBC — offer a gambling block within their app settings at no cost.
Practical Tools to Stay in Control
- Deposit limits — Set a daily, weekly or monthly cap before you start playing. Lower it at any time; operators are required to apply reductions immediately.
- Loss limits — Cap the amount you can lose in a given period.
- Session time limits — Set reminders or hard stops to prevent extended play.
- Reality checks — On-screen alerts that show how long you have been playing and how much you have spent.
- Cool-off periods — A short break of 24 hours to 30 days without permanently closing your account.
- Self-exclusion — A longer-term break, typically from six months upward, with all marketing communications stopped.
18+ Only
All gambling, at every site listed on New non GamStop casinos, is strictly for adults aged 18 and over. If you are concerned that someone under 18 may have access to a device you use for gambling, software such as Gamban or NetNanny can block gambling sites across all browsers and apps on that device.
If you have a question about anything on this page, please contact us or review our Terms and Conditions.