Responsible Gambling Guide
Gambling should be enjoyable entertainment — never a financial necessity or an escape from problems. This page provides the tools, resources and support to keep your gambling safe.
Need Help Right Now?
If you or someone you know is struggling with problem gambling, please reach out immediately. These services are free, confidential, and available 24/7.
Tools Available at Every UKGC-Licensed Casino
Every operator we list holds a UK Gambling Commission licence, which requires them to provide these tools. Always use them before you start playing.
Deposit Limits
Set daily, weekly, or monthly caps on how much you can deposit. Limits come into effect immediately and can only be decreased — not increased — without a cooling-off period. Set these before your first deposit.
Session & Time Limits
Limit how long each gambling session lasts. The casino must display a timer and offer a "stop" prompt when your session limit is reached. Reality checks can appear every 30 minutes as a gentle reminder.
Cooling-Off Period
Take a short break of 24 hours, a week, or a month without fully self-excluding. Your account remains but new bets cannot be placed during the period. Useful if you feel you need a temporary pause.
Self-Exclusion
A formal, legally-binding process to close your account for a minimum of six months. Operators must honour self-exclusion requests immediately. You can also self-exclude from all UKGC-licensed sites at once via GamStop.
Loss Limits
Set a cap on how much you can lose in a given period. Unlike deposit limits, loss limits are calculated based on net losses — so winning and then losing still counts towards your threshold.
Gambling History
All UKGC-licensed casinos must provide access to your full gambling history, including deposits, withdrawals, and wagers placed. Reviewing this regularly helps you make honest assessments of your gambling behaviour.
Recognising Problem Gambling
Problem gambling can affect anyone. Recognising the warning signs early is the most important step towards getting help.
Behavioural Warning Signs
- ✗ Spending more money or time gambling than intended
- ✗ Chasing losses — betting more to try to recover money already lost
- ✗ Borrowing money or selling possessions to fund gambling
- ✗ Hiding gambling activity from family and friends
- ✗ Neglecting work, relationships, or responsibilities due to gambling
- ✗ Feeling irritable or anxious when unable to gamble
Emotional & Financial Signs
- ✗ Gambling as a way to escape problems or relieve stress
- ✗ Prioritising gambling over food, rent, or bills
- ✗ Feeling depressed, anxious, or hopeless after gambling losses
- ✗ Believing you can develop a strategy to always win
- ✗ Repeated unsuccessful attempts to cut down or stop gambling
- ✗ Needing to gamble with larger amounts to get the same "buzz"
If you recognise any of these signs:
Please contact GamCare's National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 (free, 24/7), or visit BeGambleAware.org for confidential support and advice. You are not alone, and help is available.
Free Help & Support Resources
All organisations below provide free, confidential support to UK gamblers and their families.
GamCare
National Gambling Helpline. Free counselling and support. Call 0808 8020 133 (24/7).
BeGambleAware
Information, tools and support for anyone affected by problem gambling in the UK.
GamStop
UK-wide self-exclusion scheme. One registration excludes you from all UKGC-licensed sites.
eCOGRA
Independent testing and player protection certification for online gambling operators.
The IGC
Interactive Gaming Council — promoting responsible gambling standards globally.
RAIG
Responsible Affiliates in Gambling — ensuring affiliate marketing meets responsible gambling standards.
Gambling Therapy
Global online support network provided by Gordon Moody. Free, confidential help available worldwide.
UK Gambling Commission
The regulator of commercial gambling in Great Britain. Licence verification and complaint escalation.
Self-Help Tools
Online assessment tools, self-help guides, and interactive modules to manage gambling behaviour.
Simple Rules for Safer Play
Set a budget before you start
Decide the maximum you can afford to lose before opening the casino, and treat it as an entertainment cost — not an investment.
Never chase losses
If you've hit your budget, stop. Chasing losses is the most common route from recreational gambling to problem gambling.
Take regular breaks
Set time limits and use session timers. Step away from the screen every hour, even if your session limit hasn't been reached.
Only gamble for entertainment
Never gamble to earn money, solve financial problems, or escape from stress or anxiety. These are danger signals that require support.