Player Protection
Responsible Gambling
18+ only
Gambling can be addictive and carries a real risk of financial loss. Never gamble more than you can comfortably afford to lose, and never gamble to solve a financial problem. If gambling has stopped being entertainment, free and confidential help is available below.
Who we are
We are not a gambling operator and we do not accept bets, hold funds or provide gambling services of any kind. Offers shown are advertisements for licensed third-party operators, and we may receive a commission if you open an account with them. This never affects what we publish editorially.
Any operator we feature must hold a licence from the relevant regulator for the territory it accepts customers from. In Great Britain that is the Gambling Commission, and you can verify any operator's licence on the Commission's public register before depositing.
Staying in control
- Set a deposit limit before you start, not after you have lost money.
- Treat any money you gamble as the cost of entertainment, never as income or a way to recover losses.
- Never gamble with money set aside for rent, bills, food or debt repayments.
- Set a time limit and take regular breaks. Most licensed operators offer reality-check reminders.
- Do not gamble to escape stress, low mood, boredom or grief.
- Avoid gambling while drinking alcohol or when you are tired.
- If you are chasing losses, stop and use the operator's cooling-off or self-exclusion tools.
Signs gambling may be becoming a problem
Gambling harm builds gradually and is easy to miss in yourself. The following are common indicators that it may be time to seek support:
- Spending more money or time gambling than you intended
- Gambling to win back money you have lost
- Borrowing money, selling possessions or missing payments to fund gambling
- Hiding your gambling from family, friends or colleagues
- Feeling anxious, irritable or low when you are not gambling
- Neglecting work, study, family or your own health because of gambling
Recognising any of these does not mean you have a gambling disorder, but it is a good reason to talk to someone. The organisations listed below provide free, confidential and non-judgemental support.
Where to get help
Free, confidential support 24 hours a day, seven days a week, operated by GamCare. Advisers can talk through your situation and refer you to local treatment.
Free self-exclusion scheme that blocks you from all online gambling sites licensed in Great Britain. Choose a period of six months, one year or five years.
Independent advice, self-assessment tools and a directory of free treatment services across England, Scotland and Wales.
Residential and online treatment programmes for people experiencing severe gambling harm, including dedicated support for family members.
Peer support fellowship running free local and online meetings for anyone who wants to stop gambling.
Blocking yourself from gambling
If you want to stop gambling online, registering with GAMSTOP blocks your access to every online operator licensed in Great Britain for a period you choose. It is free and cannot be reversed before the period ends.
You can strengthen this with gambling blocking software on your devices, and by asking your bank to apply a gambling transaction block, which most UK banks now offer through their app.
If you are in immediate crisis or distress, contact your GP, call 111, or in an emergency call 999. Support for the effects of someone else's gambling is also available through the organisations above.