Staying in control

Gambling is meant to be entertainment. It is not a reliable way to make money, and the house edge means most players lose over time. If you choose to play at a UK-licensed casino, these tools and resources can help you stay in control.

Setting limits

Every UKGC-licensed operator must offer deposit limits, loss limits, and session time reminders. Set these before your first deposit rather than after a losing streak. Limits can usually be decreased immediately but increases often require a cooling-off period of 24 hours or more.

Self-exclusion

GAMSTOP (gamstop.co.uk) is a free service that blocks your access to all UK-licensed gambling sites for six months, one year, or five years. It covers online casinos, betting sites, and bingo operators licensed by the UK Gambling Commission. Individual operators also offer their own exclusion tools, but GAMSTOP is the only scheme that covers the entire licensed market.

Warning signs

Chasing losses, borrowing money to gamble, hiding gambling from family, or feeling anxious when not playing are signs that gambling may be becoming a problem. Stopping is easier earlier — contact GamCare for free, confidential support.

Getting help

National Gambling Helpline: 0808 8020 133 (free, confidential, 24/7). GamCare offers live chat, forums, and face-to-face counselling. BeGambleAware provides information and directs you to local support services.