Responsible Gaming

Gambling should always be a form of entertainment, not a way to earn money or solve financial problems. Never gamble more than you can comfortably afford to lose, and be aware that the odds are always in favour of the house. If gambling stops being fun, please seek help immediately.

Age Verification

In Great Britain, you must be 18 years or older to gamble legally. All licensed UK gambling operators are required to verify your age and identity before you can deposit or play. Underage gambling is a criminal offence. If you are under 18, do not attempt to gamble. If you are a parent or guardian, consider using parental controls and website filters to limit access to gambling sites.

Warning Signs of Problem Gambling

Problem gambling can affect anyone. Ask yourself if any of the following apply to you:

• Chasing losses – trying to win back money you have lost
• Hiding your gambling from family, friends, or colleagues
• Spending more time or money on gambling than you intended
• Borrowing money or selling possessions to gamble
• Neglecting work, studies, or relationships because of gambling
• Feeling anxious, guilty, or irritable when not gambling
• Lying about how much you gamble or how often
• Gambling to escape from stress, anxiety, or depression

If you recognise any of these signs in yourself or someone else, it is important to take action. Early intervention can prevent serious harm.

Self-Help Tools

Most UK licensed gambling sites offer practical tools to help you stay in control. Consider using the following:

• Deposit limits – set a maximum amount you can deposit per day, week, or month.
• Loss limits – cap how much you can lose in a given period.
• Reality checks – receive reminders of how long you have been playing.
• Time-out / cool-off periods – temporarily block access to your account for a set period.
• Self-exclusion – exclude yourself from a specific operator for a longer period (e.g., 6 months, 1 year, or 5 years).

For UK-wide self-exclusion from all licensed online gambling sites, use GAMSTOP – a free, independent service that blocks your access for a chosen period (6 months, 1 year, or 5 years).

Support Organisations

If you or someone you know is struggling with gambling, these organisations offer free, confidential advice and support:

United Kingdom

• GamCare – www.gamcare.org.uk – Helpline: 0808 8020 133 (free, 24/7)
• GamStop – www.gamstop.co.uk – Free self-exclusion for UK residents

Australia

• Gambling Help Online – www.gamblinghelponline.org.au – 1800 858 858 (free, 24/7)

Canada

• Responsible Gambling Council – www.responsiblegambling.org

United States

• National Council on Problem Gambling – www.ncpgambling.org – 1-800-GAMBLER

Germany

• Bundeszentrale für gesundheitliche Aufklärung (BZgA) – www.bzga.de – Gambling addiction helpline: 0800 1 37 27 00 (free, anonymous)

If you are located in another country, please contact the most relevant national gambling support organisation in your region. A quick online search for “gambling addiction help + your country” will guide you to free confidential resources.

Call to Action

If you or someone you care about has a gambling problem, do not wait. Reach out to GamCare (UK) or your local support service today. You are not alone, and help is available free of charge. Gambling should never harm your health, relationships, or finances. Take control now – seek help, use self-exclusion tools, and talk to someone you trust.