Safer gambling
Safer gambling
Gambling is a form of paid entertainment in which, on average, you lose. Most people who gamble keep it that way. This page is for the times when it starts to feel like something else.
Need to talk now? The National Gambling Helpline, run by GamCare, is free, confidential and open 24 hours a day: 0808 8020 133. There is also live chat at gamcare.org.uk.
Signs worth taking seriously
None of these on its own means you have a problem. Several together, or any one that keeps coming back, is worth acting on.
- Spending more money or time than you meant to, more than once
- Chasing losses, or depositing again to win back what went
- Gambling with money meant for rent, bills or food
- Borrowing, or selling things, to gamble or to cover losses
- Hiding how much you gamble from people close to you
- Feeling anxious, low or irritable when you are not gambling
- Seeing gambling as a way to solve money worries
The last one deserves a word. A casino is designed so that the house keeps an edge on every game. It cannot be a route out of debt. If money is the pressure, free debt advice from organisations such as StepChange or Citizens Advice will do far more than any bonus.
Habits that help
Decide on an amount before you start and treat it as spent. Set a deposit limit that matches it. Keep an eye on the clock; turn on reality checks if the casino offers them. Don't gamble when you are drunk, upset or bored in a way that feels heavy. And never treat a bonus as a reason to deposit more than you would have anyway.
Tools every UK casino must offer
Licensed operators have to provide deposit limits, time-outs and self-exclusion, and all online operators must take part in GAMSTOP. Our guide to the tools explains each one, how to find it and how long it lasts.
Free, confidential help
- GamCare
- Runs the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 (free, 24/7) and offers online chat, forums and free counselling.
- GAMSTOP
- Free national self-exclusion. One registration blocks you from every UK-licensed gambling website and app for 6 months, 1 year or 5 years.
- BeGambleAware
- Information, a short self-assessment and routes into free treatment across Great Britain.
- Gamblers Anonymous UK
- Peer support meetings, in person and online, for anyone who wants to stop.
The NHS also runs specialist gambling clinics in England, which you can refer yourself to. Your GP can help you find the nearest.
If you are worried about someone else
It is hard to raise, and there is rarely a perfect moment. Talk about what you have noticed rather than making accusations, and look after yourself too: GamCare's helpline supports family members and friends as well as people who gamble. Gam-Anon offers meetings specifically for those affected by someone else's gambling.
Under 18?
This site is for adults only. Gambling online is illegal for anyone under 18 in the UK, and licensed casinos must verify your age before you can deposit or play. If you are a parent, device-level parental controls and filters from your broadband provider can block gambling sites at home.