Responsible Gambling

Gambling is a form of entertainment that carries real financial risk. It is not a strategy for making money, recovering losses, or solving financial problems. If any of those descriptions apply to how you are approaching it, the resources below are worth reading before you continue.

Self-exclusion: GamStop

GamStop is the UK's national self-exclusion scheme. Registering takes a few minutes and it applies to every UKGC-licensed gambling site simultaneously — you do not need to contact each operator separately. Exclusion periods are six months, one year or five years. You cannot reverse the decision early. It is free.

If you have registered with GamStop and can still access any UK-licensed gambling site, that operator is in breach of their licence conditions. You can report it to the Gambling Commission at gamblingcommission.gov.uk.

Deposit and time limits

Every UKGC-licensed casino is required to provide deposit limits, loss limits and session time reminders. These are under your account settings. Setting hard limits before you start — not after a losing session — is the more useful approach. Limits can be reduced immediately but take 24 hours (or longer) to increase, which is a deliberate regulatory requirement.

Free support

• National Gambling Helpline: 0808 8020 133, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, free from any UK phone. Operated by GamCare.
• GamCare: Free counselling, online chat and a forum for people affected by gambling problems, including family members.
• GambleAware: Funds treatment services and provides self-assessment tools. The Gambling Therapy chat service runs alongside GamCare.
• Gambling Therapy: International online service with UK-specific resources, including family support groups.
• Gamblers Anonymous UK: Peer-support meetings, including online sessions.

Recognising a problem

The signs are straightforward: chasing losses, gambling with money set aside for bills or essentials, lying about gambling activity, gambling to escape stress or anxiety, and feeling unable to stop at a predetermined limit. None of those are character failings — they are recognised patterns that respond to practical support. The organisations above are the right starting point.

If you are in immediate financial difficulty as a result of gambling, StepChange (0800 138 1111) offers free debt advice. Citizens Advice (citizensadvice.org.uk) can also help with debt and benefits queries.