Responsible Gaming
Gambling should stay entertainment, not a way to make money or solve financial problems. If it has stopped being entertainment, the help below is free, confidential and does not require you to talk to your bank, your operator or anyone you know.
Age requirement
You must be 18 or over to gamble in Great Britain, and licensed operators are required to verify your age before you play rather than before you withdraw. Gambling may be illegal where you live, so confirm local law before playing from outside the UK.
Where to get help, free
| Organisation | What it does | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| National Gambling Helpline (GamCare) | Free confidential support, 24 hours a day | 0808 8020 133 |
| GAMSTOP | Blocks you from every gambling site licensed in Great Britain at once | 0800 138 6518 |
| GambleAware | Advice, self-assessment tools and treatment referrals | Online |
Setting limits
- Decide on a loss limit before you start playing, and stop when you reach it.
- Never chase losses by increasing your stake to "win it back."
- Use the deposit limit and session timer your operator is required to offer, and set them before your first deposit rather than after a bad session.
- If you want to stop entirely, GAMSTOP blocks every licensed British gambling site in one registration, not one site at a time.
- Avoid gambling while under the influence of alcohol or when upset or stressed.
Warning signs
Spending more time or money than you intended, hiding your gambling from family, borrowing money to gamble, or feeling anxious when you're not playing are all signs it may be time to reach out for support. Every resource listed above is free and confidential.