Responsible Gambling
Gambling can be an enjoyable pastime for most people who take part. For some, though, it can become a problem that affects finances, relationships and wellbeing. This page sets out the tools, organisations and practical steps available to anyone who wants to stay in control — or to get help if things have gone too far.
Playing at casinos not covered by GAMSTOP means you are outside the UK's voluntary self-exclusion scheme. That makes it all the more important to understand the safeguards that do exist, and to use them actively rather than waiting until a problem develops. You can read more about the sites we cover on our Non Gamstop Casinos UK guide.
Recognising a Gambling Problem
Most people who gamble do so without lasting harm. A problem is not defined by how much you spend, but by whether gambling is affecting your life in ways you no longer feel in control of. Common signs include:
- Spending more than you planned, or chasing losses to recover money
- Borrowing money or selling possessions to fund gambling
- Lying to friends or family about how much you gamble
- Feeling anxious, irritable or low when you are not gambling
- Neglecting work, study or personal responsibilities because of gambling
- Repeatedly trying to cut down and finding it difficult to do so
If several of these apply to you, or to someone you know, support is available — and it is confidential.
Support Organisations in Great Britain
These organisations provide free, independent help to anyone affected by gambling — whether you are a player or a concerned family member or friend.
| Organisation | What they offer | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| GamCare | Free counselling, a 24-hour helpline and online chat for anyone in Great Britain | 0808 8020 133 (free, 24/7) |
| Gamblers Anonymous | Peer support groups across the UK, based on a 12-step recovery programme | gamblersanonymous.org.uk |
| GamAnon | Support groups for families and friends of people affected by problem gambling | gamanon.org.uk |
| BeGambleAware | Information, self-assessment tools and referrals to treatment services | begambleaware.org |
| NHS Northern Gambling Service | Specialist NHS treatment clinics available free of charge in England | Referral via your GP or self-referral online |
Self-Exclusion: Your Options
Self-exclusion is the single most effective step you can take if you feel gambling is becoming harmful. It closes off access to gambling sites for a defined period, removing the temptation in a moment of vulnerability.
GAMSTOP
GAMSTOP is a free, UK-wide self-exclusion service that covers all gambling sites licensed by the UK Gambling Commission. When you register, every UKGC-licensed operator you have an account with is notified, and you are blocked from opening new ones. Exclusions run for a minimum of six months, with options for one year or five years. You can register at gamstop.co.uk at no cost.
Sites reviewed on Non Gamstop Sites operate outside the GAMSTOP scheme. This means GAMSTOP registration does not automatically block access to them. If you have self-excluded via GAMSTOP and still wish to use non-GAMSTOP sites, it is worth pausing to consider whether that aligns with the reasons you self-excluded in the first place.
Self-Excluding Directly with a Casino
Every reputable non-GAMSTOP casino operates its own responsible gambling tools. You can typically:
- Set a deposit limit — a daily, weekly or monthly cap on how much you put into your account
- Set a loss limit — a ceiling on net losses over a chosen period
- Set a session time limit — an alert or hard stop after a set number of minutes
- Take a cooling-off period — a short break of hours or days
- Request a self-exclusion — a longer block, usually a minimum of six months, after which your account may be closed
To self-exclude from a specific casino, go to the responsible gambling or account settings section, or contact customer support directly and request an exclusion in writing. Keep a copy of any confirmation you receive.
Third-Party Blocking Software
Browser-level and device-level blocking tools add an extra layer of protection on top of casino-specific limits. Widely used options include Gamban (which blocks gambling across all devices on a subscription basis) and Betfilter. These work independently of GAMSTOP and can be applied to non-GAMSTOP sites.
Tools Available Inside the Casinos We Cover
The sites listed on Non Gamstop Sites are reviewed in part on the responsible gambling provisions they offer. Below is a summary of the standard tools a player should expect to find — and what to look for when choosing where to play.
| Tool | What it does | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
| Deposit limits | Caps how much you can add to your account in a given period | Set before you start; increase requests should require a cooling-off period |
| Loss limits | Stops play once net losses reach a threshold | Useful if you find yourself chasing losses |
| Reality checks | On-screen reminders of how long you have been playing and how much you have spent | Set the interval short enough to be genuinely informative |
| Session limits | Logs you out after a fixed period of play | Prevents extended sessions from drifting unnoticed |
| Self-exclusion | Closes your account for a minimum period | When other tools have not been enough to control play |
| Account closure | Permanently closes your account on request | When you no longer wish to gamble at that site |
If a site you are using does not offer these tools clearly and without friction, that is a meaningful warning sign about how it operates.
Playing Within Your Means: Practical Guidance
Responsible gambling is partly about having the right tools available, but mostly about the habits you build around using them. A few practical principles:
- Only gamble with money you can afford to lose. Treat every deposit as entertainment expenditure, not as an investment or a route to recovering a previous loss.
- Set your limits before you log in. Deposit and session limits are easiest to set when you are not already in play.
- Never borrow to gamble. Credit cards, loans and borrowed cash add a layer of financial risk that compounds quickly.
- Keep track of what you spend. Most accounts have a transaction history — review it regularly rather than relying on memory.
- Take breaks. A session limit of an hour or two, with a genuine break before resuming, helps maintain perspective.
- Do not gamble when upset, tired or under the influence of alcohol. Decision-making is impaired in all three states, and losses are more likely to be chased.
Under-18s
Gambling on any of the sites covered by Non Gamstop Sites is strictly for adults aged 18 and over. If you share a device with a young person, ensure your accounts are protected by a strong password and consider using parental-control software to block gambling sites at the device or network level. GamCare's Youthwork programme provides specific support for under-18s who have been affected by gambling.
If a Family Member Has a Problem
Problem gambling affects the people around the gambler as much as the individual. If someone close to you is gambling harmfully, GamAnon (gamanon.org.uk) runs confidential support groups for families and friends. GamCare's helpline (0808 8020 133) also takes calls from concerned relatives and can advise on how to approach the conversation and what practical steps are available.
You cannot force another adult to seek help, but you can set clear boundaries around shared finances, and you can seek support for yourself regardless of whether the person you are concerned about is ready to engage.
How to Get Further Help
If you have questions about the sites we review, or want to share feedback, you can reach us via our Contact Us page. For the organisations named above, contact details are all publicly available on their respective websites. Help is free, confidential and available around the clock.
This page is reviewed and updated regularly. Our editorial approach, including how we assess the sites we cover, is explained on our About Us page.