Responsible Gambling
Gambling can be an entertaining pastime, but for some people it becomes difficult to control. This page sets out the practical tools and support services available in Great Britain, explains how self-exclusion schemes work — including GAMSTOP and the options available at non-GamStop casinos — and describes what to do if you or someone close to you needs help.
If you are in crisis right now and need to speak to someone immediately, call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 (free, 24 hours a day, seven days a week).
Recognising When Gambling Becomes a Problem
Problem gambling does not always look the same. It can mean chasing losses, hiding activity from family, borrowing money to fund play, or feeling unable to stop even when you want to. The following signs are worth paying attention to:
- Spending more than you planned, or more than you can afford to lose
- Gambling to escape stress, anxiety or low mood
- Lying to friends or family about how much time or money you spend
- Neglecting work, study or relationships because of gambling
- Feeling restless or irritable when trying to reduce or stop
- Returning to win back money you have already lost
Recognising these patterns is the first step. None of them are moral failings — problem gambling is a recognised health condition, and effective help exists.
Free Support Services in Great Britain
All of the following are free to use and available to anyone in GB.
| Organisation | What it offers | How to reach it |
|---|---|---|
| GamCare | Confidential advice, counselling and a moderated forum; runs the National Gambling Helpline | 0808 8020 133 or gamcare.org.uk |
| Gamblers Anonymous | Peer-support meetings (in person and online) based on a 12-step programme | gamblersanonymous.org.uk |
| GamAnon | Support groups for family members and friends affected by someone else's gambling | gamanon.org.uk |
| NHS Northern Gambling Service / NHS Gambling Clinics | Specialist NHS treatment, including cognitive behavioural therapy, at no cost | Via GP referral or nhs.uk |
| StepChange | Free debt advice where gambling has created financial difficulties | stepchange.org or 0800 138 1111 |
Self-Exclusion: How GAMSTOP Works
GAMSTOP is the UK's national online self-exclusion scheme. Registering at gamstop.co.uk places a single block across all online gambling operators that hold a UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) licence. You choose a minimum period of six months, one year or five years, and the exclusion cannot be reversed before that term ends.
During a GAMSTOP exclusion, UKGC-licensed sites are required to refuse registration and deposits from your details. It is free to register and takes only a few minutes. To get the most from it, you should also:
- Self-exclude from any land-based betting shops or casinos separately, through their own schemes.
- Use a gambling-blocking tool such as Gamban or BetBlocker on every device you own — these block access to gambling websites at the software level.
- Ask your bank to block gambling transactions; most major UK banks now offer this through their app.
Self-Exclusion at Non-GamStop Casinos
Casinos that operate outside the UKGC framework are not connected to the GAMSTOP register. If you are self-excluded through GAMSTOP, that exclusion does not automatically apply to these sites. However, responsible operators still provide their own account-level tools, and it is your right to use them.
At any non-GamStop casino, you can typically request:
- Self-exclusion — a permanent or long-term account closure that the site is obliged to honour
- Deposit limits — a daily, weekly or monthly cap on funds added to the account
- Loss limits — a ceiling on net losses over a set period
- Session time limits — automatic logout after a defined play period
- Cooling-off periods — a short pause on activity without full closure
To activate any of these, go to the responsible gambling or account settings section of the site, or contact customer support directly. If a site does not make these options available, that is a meaningful red flag when deciding where to play. See our main non-GamStop casinos guide for more on how we assess responsible gambling tools when rating operators.
Blocking Software You Can Use Right Now
Self-exclusion from individual sites is one layer of protection. Blocking software adds another, working at the device level rather than the account level.
- Gamban — blocks tens of thousands of gambling sites and apps across all devices for a fixed annual fee. Once installed it is very difficult to remove without professional support, which is deliberate.
- BetBlocker — free to use, blocks a large database of gambling sites, and can be installed on unlimited devices. Supported by GamCare.
- Net Nanny / family-filter software — a broader option that can also prevent children in the household from accessing gambling content.
Safer Play Habits — Practical Checks Before You Start
These are not rules — they are checks that experienced recreational players often use to keep gambling in its proper place.
- Set a budget before you open the site. Decide in advance the maximum you are willing to lose, and treat it as a leisure cost, not an investment.
- Set a time limit. Use the session timer if one is offered, or set an alarm on your phone.
- Never chase losses. A losing session does not create a statistical debt that the next session will repay.
- Avoid gambling when emotional. Stress, low mood or alcohol all impair decision-making.
- Take regular breaks. Step away from the screen at least once an hour.
- Keep gambling separate from your finances. Use a separate payment method or e-wallet with a funded balance you have already decided to spend.
Protecting Young People
You must be 18 or over to use any gambling site. If children or young people share your devices, take steps to prevent them from accessing gambling content:
- Log out of all gambling accounts when not in use, and do not save passwords in a shared browser.
- Install BetBlocker or similar software on shared devices.
- Use the parental controls built into your operating system or internet router.
A Note on How We Present Gambling Sites
Online Casinos is an independent comparison site. We research and review online casinos, including sites not connected to the UKGC's self-exclusion register. Our editorial ratings reflect factors such as payout speed, game range and bonus terms — they are not endorsements of gambling as a financial activity, and they are not customer-review scores.
We earn commission when readers sign up to sites through our links. That commercial relationship does not determine rankings or editorial assessments — our About Us page explains our methodology in more detail. If you have a question or concern about any listing, you can reach us through the Contact Us page.
Please gamble only with money you can afford to lose. No outcome is guaranteed.
Key Contacts at a Glance
| Need | Where to go |
|---|---|
| Immediate helpline support (free, 24/7) | National Gambling Helpline — 0808 8020 133 |
| Self-exclude from all UKGC-licensed sites | gamstop.co.uk |
| Block gambling on your devices (free) | betblocker.org |
| Block gambling on your devices (paid) | gamban.com |
| NHS specialist treatment | Speak to your GP or search nhs.uk for gambling clinics |
| Debt support linked to gambling | StepChange — 0800 138 1111 or stepchange.org |
| Support for family members | GamAnon — gamanon.org.uk |