Gambling is entertainment that costs money. It is not a way to make money, solve money problems or win back losses. Every result in a game is random, so no session can be planned to come out ahead. Gambling is for adults aged 18 or over only.
If gambling is causing you trouble, help is available free of charge and in confidence. The services listed above this text are the places to start. You do not need to be in crisis, and you do not need to have stopped gambling completely before you ask for support.
Warning signs and what to do
Gambling may be becoming a problem if you notice any of the following:
- you spend more time or money on gambling than you planned
- you keep chasing losses, trying to win back what you have lost
- you find it hard to stop once you have started
- you hide how much you gamble from people close to you
- you feel restless or irritable when you cannot play
- you gamble to escape stress, worry or low mood
If you recognise several of these, pause for a while and do not add new money to your account. Talk to someone you trust about what is happening. GamCare runs the National Gambling Helpline and can talk through your options with you.
Tools to help you stay in control
Every UK-licensed operator must offer a set of player protection tools. You can use them on any licensed site, and you can ask the operator for the full details of each option before you choose one.
- Deposit limits cap how much you can pay into your account over a set period, such as a day, a week or a month.
- Reality checks show you how long you have been playing and how much you have spent during a session.
- Time-outs block your account for a short period you choose, so you can take a break.
- Self-exclusion blocks your access to the operator for a longer period you set. You cannot simply end it early yourself.
If you want to stop gambling with all UK-licensed online sites at once, GAMSTOP is a free self-exclusion scheme that covers them all. You register once, and the block applies across every licensed operator you might otherwise use.
Two practical steps can also help. Many banks let you block gambling payments in their banking app, which stops card and transfer payments to gambling sites. Blocking or filtering software can restrict gambling sites on your phone or computer. Check with your bank or software provider for how to set these up.
If someone close to you is affected
If you think someone close to you is struggling, you can start by telling them what you have noticed, using specific examples and no blame. Pick a calm moment, and ask what they would find helpful rather than telling them what to do.
Support is not only for the person gambling. Families and friends can get help too, and services such as GamCare offer support for people affected by someone else's gambling. Speaking to a helpline for yourself can make it easier to decide how to approach the conversation.