Responsible Gaming
Gambling should always be a form of entertainment, not a way to earn money or solve financial problems. If you gamble, please do so responsibly and only with money you can afford to lose. The outcome of any bet is never guaranteed, and chasing losses can lead to greater harm.
Age Verification
In Great Britain, you must be 18 years of age or older to gamble legally. All licensed betting sites are required to verify your age and identity before you can deposit or place a bet. Underage gambling is illegal and can have long-term consequences. If you are under 18, do not attempt to gamble. If you suspect someone underage is gambling, contact the operator or a support service.
Warning Signs of Problem Gambling
Problem gambling can affect anyone. Be honest with yourself. You may have a problem if you recognise any of the following signs:
- Chasing losses – trying to win back money you have lost by gambling more.
- Hiding your gambling from family, friends, or colleagues.
- Spending more time or money on gambling than you intended.
- Lying about how much you gamble or how much you have lost.
- Neglecting work, studies, relationships, or other responsibilities because of gambling.
- Borrowing money, selling possessions, or using money meant for essentials to gamble.
- Feeling anxious, guilty, or irritable when trying to cut down or stop gambling.
- Gambling to escape from stress, depression, or other problems.
If you recognise one or more of these signs, please seek help. You are not alone, and support is available.
Self-Help Tools
Most licensed UK betting sites offer practical tools to help you stay in control. These include:
- Deposit limits – set a maximum amount you can deposit per day, week, or month.
- Loss limits – cap the amount of money you can lose over a set period.
- Reality checks – receive on-screen reminders of how long you have been playing and how much you have spent.
- Time-outs – take a short break from gambling, typically from 24 hours up to several weeks.
- Self-exclusion – block yourself from a specific operator or across all UK-licensed sites via GAMSTOP for a period of 6 months, 1 year, or 5 years.
Use these tools proactively. Setting limits before you start a session can help prevent harm.
Support Organisations
If gambling is affecting your life or the life of someone you care about, free, confidential help is available. Contact the organisation most relevant to your country or region:
- United Kingdom: GamCare – www.gamcare.org.uk (National Gambling Helpline: 0808 8020 133)
- United Kingdom: GAMSTOP – www.gamstop.co.uk (free self-exclusion from all UK-licensed online gambling sites)
- Australia: Gambling Help Online – www.gamblinghelponline.org.au
- Canada: Responsible Gambling Council – www.responsiblegambling.org
- United States: National Council on Problem Gambling – www.ncpgambling.org (1-800-GAMBLER)
- Germany: Bundeszentrale für gesundheitliche Aufklärung (BZgA) – www.bzga.de (search for "Glücksspielsucht")
- Other countries: Please search for your national problem gambling helpline or visit BeGambleAware for links to international services: www.begambleaware.org
Seek Help Today
If you think you have a problem with gambling, or if you are worried about someone else, please do not wait. Gambling problems can escalate quickly, but they are treatable. Contact one of the support organisations above, speak to your GP, or use the self-exclusion tools available. Reaching out is a sign of strength, not weakness. Help is free, confidential, and available 24/7 in many regions.