Responsible Gaming

Gambling should always be a form of entertainment, not a way to make money or solve financial problems. Never bet more than you can comfortably afford to lose, and never chase losses. If gambling stops being enjoyable, it is time to stop and seek help.

Age Verification

It is illegal for anyone under the age of 18 to gamble in Great Britain. All bookmakers and online gambling operators are required to verify your age and identity before you can deposit, play, or withdraw funds. If you are under 18, or under the legal gambling age in your jurisdiction, you must not gamble.

Warning Signs of Problem Gambling

Problem gambling can affect anyone. Ask yourself whether you recognise any of the following warning signs:

• Chasing losses – trying to win back money you have lost by betting more.
• Hiding your gambling from friends or family, or lying about time and money spent.
• Spending more than you can afford on gambling, using money meant for bills or essentials.
• Neglecting work, studies, relationships, or personal responsibilities because of gambling.
• Borrowing money, selling possessions, or using credit to gamble.
• Feeling anxious, guilty, or depressed about your gambling.
• Being unable to stop or cut down, even when you want to.
• Gambling to escape from stress, anxiety, or other problems.

If you recognise several of these signs in yourself or someone you care about, please seek help immediately – support is free, confidential, and available.

Self-Help Tools

Most licensed UK gambling operators 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 total amount you can lose over a set period.
• Reality checks – receive pop-up reminders showing how long you have been playing and how much you have spent.
• Time-outs – take a short break from gambling, from 24 hours up to several weeks.
• Self-exclusion – block yourself from a single operator or all UK-licensed sites via GAMSTOP (see below).

Use these tools proactively – they are there to keep gambling safe and enjoyable.

Support Organizations

If you need advice, support, or simply someone to talk to, these organisations are here to help – free of charge and in confidence.

• UK: GamCare – national provider of information, advice, and support for anyone affected by problem gambling. Helpline: 0808 8020 133.
• UK: GAMSTOP – free service that lets you self-exclude from all UK-licensed online gambling sites at once.
• Australia: Gambling Help Online – free, confidential support for Australians affected by gambling.
• Canada: Responsible Gambling Council – leading authority on problem gambling prevention and responsible gambling standards.
• United States: National Council on Problem Gambling – provides a national helpline and resources for problem gamblers and their families.
• Germany: Bundeszentrale für gesundheitliche Aufklärung (BZgA) – offers information and help on gambling addiction in Germany.
• Other regions: please contact your national gambling authority or search for a local responsible gambling helpline – free support is available in most countries.

Call to Action

If you believe you or someone you know may have a gambling problem, do not wait. Reach out to one of the organisations above today. You are not alone – help is available, and recovery is possible. Take the first step now.