Is Gambling Becoming a Problem?
Problem gambling affects people from all backgrounds. It's important to recognise the signs early. Ask yourself:
- Do you spend more money gambling than you can afford?
- Do you gamble to escape stress, anxiety or depression?
- Do you lie to friends or family about your gambling?
- Do you chase losses by placing more bets?
- Has gambling caused problems in your relationships or at work?
- Do you feel restless or irritable when you try to stop?
If you answered yes to two or more of these questions, it may be time to speak to a professional. All the resources below are free and confidential.
National Gambling Helpline: 0808 8020 133 — Free, confidential, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Support Organisations
BeGambleAware
Provides information, advice and support for anyone worried about their gambling or someone else's — begambleaware.org
GamCare
UK's leading provider of information, advice, support and counselling for the harms related to gambling — gamcare.org.uk
Gambling Therapy
Free online support groups and live help for anyone affected by problem gambling — gambletherapy.org
GAMSTOP
Free UK self-exclusion scheme — register once to block yourself from all UKGC-licensed online gambling sites — gamstop.co.uk
Self-Exclusion: How It Works
Every UKGC-licensed casino must offer self-exclusion. You can choose to exclude yourself for a set period (typically 6 months to 5 years) or permanently. During this period, the casino must:
- Prevent you from logging in and placing bets
- Return any remaining balance in your account
- Remove you from all marketing communications
- Not reactivate your account before the exclusion period ends
GAMSTOP is the most comprehensive option — a single registration self-excludes you from all UKGC-licensed online gambling sites simultaneously. It's free and takes only minutes to set up at gamstop.co.uk.
Tools Available at Licensed Casinos
| Tool | What It Does | Required by UKGC? |
|---|---|---|
| Deposit Limits | Cap daily, weekly or monthly deposits | ✓ Yes |
| Loss Limits | Limit how much you can lose in a period | ✓ Yes |
| Session Time Limits | Automatic logout after set playing time | ✓ Yes |
| Reality Checks | Pop-up reminders of time spent gambling | ✓ Yes |
| Cool-off Periods | Temporary account pause (24h–6 weeks) | ✓ Yes |
| Self-Exclusion | Block account for 6 months to permanent | ✓ Yes |
| Spend Tracker | View your full betting history and spend | Recommended |
Tips for Gambling Responsibly
- Set a budget before you start — decide how much you can afford to lose and stick to it
- Treat it as entertainment, not income — the house always has a mathematical edge
- Never chase losses — losing streaks are normal; betting more to recover is dangerous
- Take regular breaks — step away from the screen, even when winning
- Don't gamble under pressure — stress, alcohol or emotional distress impairs judgment
- Use casino tools proactively — set deposit limits before you need them, not after
- Talk to someone — problem gambling thrives in secrecy; reaching out is the first step