Responsible Gaming

Gambling should always be a form of entertainment — never a way to earn money, pay off debts, or solve financial problems. While most people gamble safely, it is important to stay aware of the risks and keep control. If gambling stops being fun, help is available.

Age Verification

In the UK, you must be 18 or older to gamble legally. Licensed betting sites are required to verify your age and identity before you can deposit or play. If you are under 18, or under the local legal gambling age in your country, do not gamble. It is an offence to gamble underage, and operators must take steps to prevent it.

Warning Signs of Problem Gambling

Problem gambling can develop gradually. Ask yourself honestly whether any of the following apply to you:

• Chasing losses by continuing to gamble to try to win money back.
• Hiding gambling activity, lying about time or money spent, or feeling ashamed.
• Spending more than you can afford, borrowing money, or using funds meant for bills and essentials.
• Neglecting work, study, family, or social commitments because of gambling.
• Feeling irritable, restless, or anxious when trying to cut down or stop.
• Gambling to escape stress, anxiety, low mood, or other problems.
• Being preoccupied with gambling, constantly planning the next bet, or thinking about past losses.
• Needing to gamble larger amounts to feel the same level of excitement.

If you recognise any of these signs, consider using safer gambling tools and reaching out for free, confidential support.

Self-Help Tools

Most UK-licensed betting sites offer practical tools to help you stay in control, including:

• Deposit limits: cap how much you can deposit daily, weekly, or monthly.
• Loss limits: set a maximum amount you can lose over a set period.
• Reality checks: receive reminders of how long you have been playing.
• Time-outs: take a short break from your account for 24 hours up to several weeks.
• Self-exclusion: block yourself from a specific site or app for a longer period.
• GamStop self-exclusion: exclude yourself from all UK-licensed online gambling sites at once.

Support Organisations

If you are worried about your own gambling or someone else’s, contact a recognised support service in your country:

• UK — GamCare: www.gamcare.org.uk — free information, support, and the National Gambling Helpline.
• UK — GamStop: www.gamstop.co.uk — free self-exclusion for 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
• Germany — Bundeszentrale für gesundheitliche Aufklärung (BZgA): www.bzga.de

For other countries, use the most relevant national problem gambling organisation or helpline. Many offer free, confidential advice and can help you find local treatment and support.

Seek Help

If you feel that gambling is causing harm to you or someone you care about, do not wait. Reach out to a professional support service, speak to someone you trust, and consider using self-exclusion tools. Regaining control is possible, and help is available now.