Responsible gambling

Online gambling is meant to be entertainment. It costs money, and the odds always favour the operator. The points below are a short, practical guide to keeping play in check, plus the free UK services available if you want help.

Age restriction

UK online gambling is restricted to people aged 18 or over. UK-licensed operators carry out age and identity checks during registration, and accounts found to belong to under-18s are closed and any winnings are voided.

Set your own limits before you deposit

• Decide on a budget you can comfortably afford to lose, then set it as a deposit limit in your account.
• Use a session reminder or "reality check" so you know how long you have been playing.
• Set a loss limit. If you hit it, stop — do not try to chase the losses back.
• Keep gambling separate from money set aside for bills, rent or food.

Signs that something is wrong

• You spend longer or more money than you planned, repeatedly.
• You feel restless, anxious or angry when you try to stop.
• You hide your play from people close to you.
• You borrow money to gamble, or to cover losses.
• You play to escape stress, low mood or other problems.

If any of these feel familiar, it is worth taking a break. The services below are free and confidential, and you do not need to wait until things are serious before you contact them.

Free UK support and tools

• GAMSTOP — free national self-exclusion scheme covering UK-licensed gambling sites. gamstop.co.uk
• GamCare — free, confidential support and a 24/7 helpline. gamcare.org.uk
• GambleAware — independent charity providing information, advice and treatment referrals. begambleaware.org
• UK Gambling Commission — the regulator for commercial gambling in Great Britain. gamblingcommission.gov.uk

What we will never tell you

We will not tell you that gambling is a way to make money, or that any operator is "safe" in a way that removes the underlying risk. The house edge does not go away because a site has a clean lobby or a generous welcome bonus.

If you are worried about someone else's gambling, GamCare runs a dedicated service for family and friends. You do not need to know all the details to ask for advice.