This site is for adults aged 18 and over only. Gambling involves financial risk. Free support is available if you need it.
Safer gambling
Responsible gambling guidance
Gambling, when approached as a form of entertainment with set limits, can be enjoyable for many adults. But it carries real financial risk, and for some people it can develop into a problem that affects their finances, relationships, and wellbeing.
This page provides practical information about keeping gambling under control, recognising warning signs, and accessing free support if needed. It is not part of any commercial offer and no commission is earned from any of the resources linked here.
Gambling is not a way to make money
Casino games are designed so that the operator retains a margin over time. Over a large number of bets, players will on average lose more than they win. Individual sessions can produce wins, but these do not reflect long-term expected returns.
Chasing losses — placing additional bets to recover previous losses — is one of the most common patterns in problematic gambling. If you find yourself doing this, it is a warning sign worth taking seriously.
Warning signs to watch for
- Spending more than you intended or can afford
- Chasing losses to try to recover money
- Gambling affecting your work, relationships, or daily life
- Feeling irritable or anxious when not gambling
- Borrowing money or selling possessions to fund gambling
- Hiding gambling activity from friends or family
- Gambling to escape stress, depression, or other problems
If several of these apply to you, talking to a support organisation is a good next step. Services like GamCare offer free, confidential advice.
Tools available from UKGC-licensed operators
All UK Gambling Commission-licensed operators are required to offer responsible gambling tools. The following tools are available from all operators we list.
Deposit limits
Set a daily, weekly, or monthly cap on how much you deposit. Once set, limits can be reduced immediately but can only be increased after a cooling-off period.
Loss limits
Cap the amount you can lose over a set period. This can help prevent large unexpected losses in a single session.
Session time reminders
Receive a notification after a set amount of time to remind you how long you have been playing.
Reality checks
A regular on-screen prompt displaying how long you have been playing and how much you have spent.
Cool-off / time out
Take a break from your account for a set period — typically 1 day to 6 weeks. During this time you cannot deposit or play.
Self-exclusion
Request to close your account for a minimum period of 6 months. UK-licensed operators are required to honour self-exclusion requests.
GAMSTOP self-exclusion
GAMSTOP is a national self-exclusion scheme that applies across all UKGC-licensed operators simultaneously. One registration excludes you from all participating sites.
Tools are provided directly by operators. Contact the operator to access these features within your account.
Free support organisations
The organisations below are independent of this site. They offer free support, advice, and treatment for people affected by gambling.
UK Gambling Commission ↗
The official government body that regulates gambling in Great Britain.
GAMSTOP ↗
Free national self-exclusion scheme for UK-licensed gambling sites.
GamCare ↗
Leading charity providing support and counselling for gambling harm.
GambleAware ↗
Independent charity funding research, education, and treatment services.
Keeping under-18s safe
Online gambling is only permitted for adults aged 18 or over in the UK. All UKGC-licensed operators are required to verify the age of customers before allowing play. This site is also intended for adults only.
If you are concerned that a child or young person may be accessing gambling sites, consider using parental control software. Tools such as GamCare’s resources for young people can provide guidance.