Responsible Gaming
Gambling should always be a form of entertainment, not a way to earn money or solve financial problems. Never bet more than you can afford to lose, and never chase losses. If gambling stops being enjoyable, it’s time to step back and seek help.
Age Verification
In Great Britain, you must be 18 years or older to gamble legally. All licensed operators are required to verify your age before you can deposit or play. If you are under 18, or under the legal gambling age in your jurisdiction, do not attempt to gamble. It is a criminal offence for anyone underage to gamble, and for operators to allow it.
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 support:
- Chasing losses – trying to win back money you’ve lost by gambling more
- Hiding gambling activity from friends and family
- 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 trying to cut down
- Lying about wins or losses
- Gambling to escape from stress, anxiety, or depression
Self-Help Tools
Most licensed gambling sites in Great Britain offer practical tools to help you stay in control. Use them early and regularly:
- Deposit limits – set a maximum amount you can deposit per day, week, or month
- Loss limits – cap the amount you can lose over a set period
- Reality checks – receive pop-up reminders showing how long you’ve been playing and how much you’ve spent
- Time-outs – take a short break from gambling for 24 hours to several weeks
- Self-exclusion – block yourself from a specific site or all UK-licensed sites via GAMSTOP
Support Organizations
If you need free, confidential advice or support, contact the appropriate organisation for your country:
- United Kingdom: GamCare – www.gamcare.org.uk or call 0808 8020 133. Also use GAMSTOP – www.gamstop.co.uk to self-exclude from all UK-licensed online gambling sites.
- Australia: Gambling Help Online – www.gamblinghelponline.org.au or call 1800 858 858.
- Canada: Responsible Gambling Council – www.responsiblegambling.org
- United States: National Council on Problem Gambling – www.ncpgambling.org or call/text 1-800-GAMBLER.
- Germany: Bundeszentrale für gesundheitliche Aufklärung (BZgA) – www.bzga.de or call 0800 1 37 27 00.
- Other countries: Please search for your national problem gambling helpline or visit www.gamblingtherapy.org for international support.
Need Help Now?
If you feel that gambling is causing problems in your life — or affecting someone you love — please do not wait. Reach out to a support organisation today. Help is free, confidential, and available 24/7 in many countries. Remember: you are not alone, and recovery is possible.