Responsible Gambling and Getting Support

Recognise when gambling is causing harm

A £10 deposit can still be part of a harmful pattern, especially when repeated. Watch the total you spend across accounts and days, not just the size of one transaction. Chasing losses, borrowing to gamble and hiding spending are reasons to pause immediately.

• You spend money intended for rent, food, bills or debt repayments.
• You increase deposits to recover a loss or recreate an earlier win.
• You struggle to stop at the time or spending limit you set.
• Gambling disrupts sleep, work or relationships, or causes anxiety.

You do not need to reach a particular debt level to deserve help. Concern about your behaviour is enough reason to speak to a support service.

Put distance between an urge and a payment

1. Stop depositing and withdraw available funds where possible without gambling further.
2. Set deposit, loss and time limits before any future session, using the lowest affordable amount.
3. Ask your bank whether gambling transaction blocks are available and how to activate them.
4. Remove stored payment details and disable gambling marketing where possible.

Deposit limits restrict money entering an account; they are not necessarily loss limits. Keep essential spending and savings outside any gambling budget. A budget is a maximum you can afford to lose, not a target to spend.

Self-exclusion and offshore limitations

Ask each operator about self-exclusion, its duration and the accounts it covers. Save confirmation and check how to stop promotional messages. A short cooling-off period can help create space, but it is not the same as a longer exclusion.

Offshore sites are not part of GAMSTOP, and Curaçao licences do not cover Great Britain. GB residents should use UK Gambling Commission licensed sites, where GAMSTOP applies to licensed online operators; everyone should check local law.

Do not assume exclusion at one operator blocks every other website. Device blocking tools and help from a trusted person can add protection, especially when the urge is to open another account.

Where to find human support

Availability, telephone access and service names can vary by country. Use the organisation’s official website to check current contact options, opening hours and local services. A GB freephone number may not work or be free from abroad.

If you feel at immediate risk of harming yourself, call your local emergency number or crisis service now. Gambling support is valuable, but it does not replace urgent medical help.

If you are worried about someone else

Choose a calm time to describe the behaviour you have noticed without blame. Offer to help them contact support, but avoid lending money to cover further gambling. Protect shared finances and seek advice for yourself if their spending affects your security.

Our editorial inbox is not a counselling or emergency service. We cannot close casino accounts. Contact the operator for account restrictions and an independent support service for help with the wider harm.