Responsible Gaming

Introduction

Gambling should always be a form of entertainment, never a way to earn money or solve financial problems. The odds are designed to favour the operator, and losses are a normal part of play. Never gamble with money you cannot afford to lose, and never try to "win back" what you have lost. Treat gambling as a leisure activity, like going to the cinema or a sports event — set a budget and stick to it.

Age Verification

You must be at least 18 years old to gamble in the United Kingdom. Some jurisdictions may set a higher legal age (e.g., 21 in parts of the US). It is your responsibility to know and follow the local laws where you reside or are physically located. Underage gambling is illegal and can lead to criminal penalties. Casinos and betting sites are required to verify your age and identity before allowing you to deposit or play. If you suspect someone under the legal age is gambling, report it to the operator and the relevant authority.

Warning Signs of Problem Gambling

Problem gambling can develop gradually. If you recognise any of the following signs in yourself or someone you care about, it may be time to seek help:

• Chasing losses — returning to try to win back money you have lost, often with larger bets.
• Hiding gambling activity from family, friends, or colleagues, or lying about time and money spent.
• Borrowing money, selling possessions, or using money meant for essential bills to gamble.
• Neglecting work, study, family, or social responsibilities due to gambling.
• Feeling restless, irritable, or anxious when trying to cut down or stop.
• Gambling to escape from stress, depression, anxiety, or other problems.
• Losing interest in hobbies or activities that used to bring pleasure.
• Continuing to gamble despite negative consequences, such as relationship breakdowns or financial harm.
• Repeatedly failing to stick to limits you set for yourself.

Self-Help Tools

Most reputable gambling operators provide practical tools to help you stay in control. We strongly recommend using these features, especially if you play at multiple sites. Common tools include:

• Deposit limits — set a maximum amount you can deposit per day, week, or month.
• Loss limits — cap the amount you can lose within a set period.
• Reality checks — receive on-screen reminders showing how long you have been playing and how much you have spent.
• Session time limits — automatically log you out after a chosen period.
• Self-exclusion — block yourself from accessing a specific site or app for a chosen duration (e.g., 6 months, 1 year, 5 years).
• Time-out / cooling-off — take a short break from gambling for 24 hours up to several weeks.
• Account closure — permanently close your account with a specific operator.

For UK players, the free national self-exclusion scheme GAMSTOP allows you to block yourself from all UK-licensed online gambling sites at once. However, please note that sites operating under a Curacao licence and not on GamStop are not covered by GAMSTOP. You must set limits separately with each such operator, or consider using blocking software like Gamban or BetBlocker.

Support Organizations

If you are worried about your gambling or about someone else, you are not alone. Free, confidential help is available in many countries. Below are trusted organisations for the UK and other regions:

• United Kingdom: GamCare – offers a free helpline (0808 8020 133), live chat, and counselling. Also, GAMSTOP – free national self-exclusion for UK-licensed sites.
• Australia: Gambling Help Online – free 24/7 counselling and support.
• Canada: Responsible Gambling Council (RGC) – resources and support across Canada.
• United States: National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) – helpline 1-800-GAMBLER and local resources.
• Germany: Bundeszentrale für gesundheitliche Aufklärung (BZgA) – provides information and help for gambling addiction.
• Other countries: Please contact your national responsible gambling organisation or search for "[your country] gambling helpline" to find free, confidential support in your language.

Call to Action

If you recognise any warning signs in yourself, or if gambling is causing stress, debt, or harm to your relationships, please seek help today. You do not have to deal with this alone. Reach out to one of the organisations listed above, talk to a trusted friend or family member, and use self-exclusion tools to protect yourself. Help is free, confidential, and available right now. Taking that first step is a sign of strength, not weakness.