Gambling is a paid-for form of entertainment, like a concert ticket or a meal out. The house keeps an edge on every game, so over time most players spend more than they win. Keeping it enjoyable comes down to a few decisions made in advance.
Habits that help
- Set a budget from money you'd otherwise spend on leisure, never from bills, rent or savings.
- Decide on a time limit as well as a money limit.
- Don't chase losses. The next spin doesn't know about the last one.
- Avoid playing when you're low, stressed, tired or have been drinking.
- Keep gambling as one pastime among several.
Simple, and not always easy. That's what the tools below are for.
Tools you can use today
At the casino
Every casino licensed by the UK Gambling Commission must offer deposit limits, reality checks, time-outs and self-exclusion. You'll find them under a heading like "Safer gambling" or "Responsible gaming" in your account settings. Reducing a limit takes effect straight away. Raising it involves a cooling-off period, which is deliberate.
Across every casino at once
GAMSTOP is a free national self-exclusion scheme. Register once and you're blocked from every UKGC-licensed online gambling site for six months, a year or five years. It can't be lifted early.
At your bank
Many UK banks and card providers let you block gambling transactions from their app. Some add a delay before the block can be removed. Look under card settings or ask your bank.
On your devices
Blocking software can stop gambling websites and apps loading on your phone or computer. Your phone's built-in screen-time controls can also set daily limits.
Signs it may be becoming a problem
Problems rarely arrive overnight. These are some of the signs that support services ask people to look out for:
- Spending more money or time than you planned, more often than not
- Borrowing, using savings or selling things to gamble
- Chasing losses, or gambling to win back money
- Feeling anxious, irritable or low when you're not gambling
- Hiding how much you gamble from people close to you
- Missing work, family time or sleep because of gambling
- Gambling to escape problems or lift your mood
If one or two of those ring true, it's worth acting now, while it's easier.
Getting help
All of these are free and confidential:
| GamCare | Runs the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 and an online chat, plus free counselling. |
| BeGambleAware | Advice, self-assessment tools and a directory of treatment services across Great Britain. |
| Gamblers Anonymous UK | Peer support meetings, in person and online. |
| GAMSTOP | Self-exclusion from all licensed online gambling in the UK. |
Your GP can also refer you to NHS gambling services. If you're struggling with debt, free advice from a debt charity can help you deal with creditors; gambling your way out of debt only deepens it.
Worried about someone else?
Gambling harm affects families and friends too. The helpline above is open to anyone affected, not only the person gambling, and GamCare offers support for partners and relatives. It helps to talk when things are calm, focus on specific effects rather than labels, and look after your own finances.
Under 18s
Gambling online is illegal for anyone under 18 in the UK, and every casino we list verifies age before play. This site is for adults only. If you share a device with children, keep casino accounts logged out and consider parental controls or filtering software.