Safer gambling
Tools that are built into every UK-licensed casino account, the signs that gambling is becoming a problem, and where to get free, confidential help.
Need to talk now? National Gambling Helpline: 0808 8020 133, free, 24 hours a day, run by GamCare. You don't have to be in crisis to call.
Before you play: three ground rules
- Only gamble with money you can afford to lose. Rent, bills and savings are off limits.
- Decide how much and how long before you start, and stop when you reach either.
- Never try to win back losses. Chasing is the fastest way for a bad night to become a bad month.
Gambling isn't a way to make money or fix money worries. Treat what you pay in as the cost of the entertainment, and if it stops being entertaining, stop.
Tools in your casino account
UK-licensed operators have to offer these. You'll usually find them under "Safer gambling" or "Responsible gaming" in your account settings.
| Tool | What it does | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Deposit limit | Caps how much you can pay in per day, week or month. Lowering it applies straight away; raising it involves a cooling-off wait. | Everyone. Set it on day one. |
| Reality check | A reminder that pops up after a set time, showing how long you've been playing. | Losing track of time. |
| Time-out | Locks your account for a short spell, from a day up to several weeks. | A break without closing anything. |
| Self-exclusion | Closes your account with that operator for at least six months. | Stepping away from one site for longer. |
| Account history | Shows deposits, withdrawals and net position over time. | Seeing the real numbers. |
Block every UK site at once: GAMSTOP
GAMSTOP is a free national self-exclusion scheme. Register once and every online gambling business licensed in Great Britain has to stop you opening or using an account for the period you choose: six months, one year or five years. All the casinos on this site take part. You can pair it with blocking software on your devices and a gambling block from your bank, which many UK banks offer in their app.
Warning signs
Any one of these on its own is worth taking seriously:
Money
- Spending more than you planned, more often
- Borrowing, or using money meant for bills
- Hiding transactions or statements
- Depositing again straight after a loss
Mood and time
- Feeling anxious, low or irritable when not playing
- Gambling to escape problems or stress
- Losing sleep, or playing late into the night
- Rows with family or friends about gambling
- Thinking about gambling when you should be working
BeGambleAware has a short, anonymous self-assessment on its site if you're unsure where you stand.
Free help in the UK
- GamCare runs the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 and live chat, and can refer you to free local treatment.
- BeGambleAware offers information, the self-assessment and routes into the National Gambling Support Network.
- GAMSTOP for self-exclusion from all UK-licensed online gambling.
- Gamblers Anonymous UK for peer-support meetings, in person and online.
The NHS also runs specialist gambling clinics across England; your GP or the helpline can explain how to be referred.
Worried about someone else?
Family and friends can call the same helpline. Talk when things are calm, focus on how their gambling affects you rather than on blame, and look after your own finances, for example by separating joint accounts. GamCare has advice written specifically for people affected by someone else's gambling.
Under 18?
It's illegal to gamble at an online casino in the UK under 18, and the operators we list verify age and identity before anyone can play. Parents can use device-level controls and filtering software to block gambling sites.