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Responsible gambling

Stay in control, or step away

6 min read

Quick answer

Set a deposit limit before the first session. Treat losses as the cost of entertainment, not a debt the next spin will repay. If chasing, hiding spend, or borrowing has started, stop and use GAMSTOP plus GamCare. This site does not take bets and cannot freeze an account for you.

Warning signs

Staking more than you budgeted in order to recoup an earlier loss
Gambling with money meant for rent, food or travel
Hiding activity from people you live with
Irritability when you cannot play, or playing longer than the time you set
Using alcohol or other drugs while you play

Limits that belong on day one

Deposit, loss and session limits are blunt instruments and they work. Put them on before a welcome offer, not after a bad hour. Reality checks are a nudge, not a safeguard on their own. Detail on how operator tools sit next to nationwide exclusion is on safer gambling tools.

Help

National exclusion

GAMSTOP covers UK-licensed remote operators. Minimum six months.

Talk to someone

GamCare (National Gambling Helpline 0808 8020 133) and GambleAware for advice and treatment routes. The NHS also lists gambling-harm support.

The Commission’s consumer pages sit at gamblingcommission.gov.uk. Under-18s must not use this site or any operator we list.

Last updated 18 August 2026