Responsible Gambling: Information and Resources

Gambling as Entertainment

Gambling is a form of entertainment for the majority of people who participate in it. Like any leisure activity, it carries financial risk, and it is important to approach it with clear expectations. Gambling should never be treated as a reliable source of income, a method to recover financial losses, or a coping mechanism for stress or personal difficulties. Participation is strictly for adults aged 18 and over, or the minimum legal age applicable in your jurisdiction, whichever is higher.

Core Principles of Responsible Play

Maintaining control over gambling behaviour starts with a few straightforward habits:

  • Set a budget before you play and treat any losses as the cost of entertainment, not a debt to recover.
  • Set a time limit for each session and stick to it regardless of outcomes.
  • Never chase losses. Increasing stakes to recover previous losses is one of the most common patterns that leads to problematic behaviour.
  • Avoid gambling when under the influence of alcohol, medication, or emotional stress.
  • Take regular breaks during sessions to maintain perspective.
  • Do not borrow money to fund gambling activity.

Self-Assessment

It can be useful to periodically ask yourself honest questions about your gambling behaviour. Common self-assessment questions include:

  • Do I spend more money or time gambling than I originally intended?
  • Do I feel irritable or restless when I am not gambling?
  • Have I lied to family or friends about how much I gamble?
  • Do I gamble to escape problems or to relieve anxiety?
  • Have I tried to stop or cut down and found it difficult?

If you answer yes to any of these, it may be worth speaking to a professional or using one of the tools described below.

Tools Available Through Operators

Licensed casino operators are required to provide players with tools to manage their gambling. These typically include:

  • Deposit limits — daily, weekly, or monthly caps on how much you can fund your account.
  • Session time limits — reminders or hard stops after a set period of play.
  • Cooling-off periods (time-outs) — temporary breaks from the account, usually ranging from 24 hours to several weeks.
  • Self-exclusion — a longer-term restriction, often a minimum of six months, during which the account is inaccessible. In Great Britain, the national self-exclusion scheme GAMSTOP allows players to exclude themselves from all UK-licensed operators at once via gamstop.co.uk.

If you wish to use any of these tools, navigate to the responsible gambling or account settings section of your operator's platform, or contact their support team directly.

Early Signs of Problematic Behaviour

Problematic gambling does not always develop suddenly. Early warning signs include:

  • Spending increasing amounts of time thinking about gambling.
  • Needing to bet larger amounts to experience the same level of excitement.
  • Neglecting work, study, or personal relationships due to gambling.
  • Continuing to gamble despite negative financial or emotional consequences.
  • Using gambling as the primary way to manage boredom or negative emotions.

Recognising these signs early makes it significantly easier to seek help and restore balance.

External Support and Help

Several organisations provide free, confidential support for individuals affected by gambling-related difficulties, including both players and their families:

  • BeGambleAware (begambleaware.org) — offers information, self-help tools, and referrals to treatment.
  • GamCare (gamcare.org.uk) — provides a national helpline and online counselling.
  • Gamblers Anonymous — a peer-support programme based on shared experience and anonymity.
  • NHS Northern Gambling Service and other NHS-commissioned clinics — offer structured clinical treatment.

These organisations do not charge for their core services and maintain strict confidentiality. Contact details are available on their respective websites.

Protection of Minors

Access to real-money gambling platforms is prohibited for individuals under the age of 18 in the United Kingdom. If you share a device with children or young people, consider using parental control software to restrict access to gambling websites. Tools such as GamBan or standard parental controls built into most operating systems and browsers can help. Operators are also obliged to carry out age verification checks before allowing any real-money play.

A Note on Staying in Control

Responsible gambling is not about playing less — it is about playing within limits that you have consciously set and that do not negatively affect your daily life. If at any point gambling feels like an obligation rather than a choice, that is a clear signal to pause and seek guidance.