Keep it fun
- Decide how much you can afford to lose before you start, and treat it as the cost of entertainment.
- Set a time limit as well as a money limit, and take regular breaks.
- Never chase losses. Trying to win back money you've lost usually leads to losing more.
- Don't gamble when you're upset, stressed, or have been drinking.
- Gambling isn't a way to make money. If you're worried about money, get free advice from MoneyHelper or Citizens Advice (see below).
Tools every UK-licensed operator offers
All the brands we feature are licensed by the UK Gambling Commission and must give you these tools:
- Deposit limits for a day, week or month. Lowering a limit takes effect straight away; raising one has a cooling-off period.
- Reality checks and session reminders that tell you how long you've been playing.
- Time-outs from a day to six weeks.
- Self-exclusion for at least six months.
Block all UK gambling sites at once
- GAMSTOP is free and lets you exclude yourself from every online gambling site licensed in Great Britain for six months, one year or five years.
- Blocking software such as Gamban or the free BetBlocker blocks gambling sites and apps on your devices.
- Bank gambling blocks. Most UK banks let you block gambling payments on your card in their app.
Warning signs
Gambling may be becoming a problem if you:
- spend more money or time than you meant to;
- borrow money or sell things to gamble;
- feel anxious, irritable or guilty about gambling;
- hide gambling from family or friends;
- gamble to escape problems or to win back losses.
If any of these sound familiar, talk to someone. Support is free and confidential.
Safer gambling guides
- How to set deposit limits: daily, weekly and monthly limits, plus loss, stake and time limits.
- Self-exclusion and GAMSTOP: time-outs, excluding from one site or every licensed site, and land-based schemes.
- Gambling blocks: bank gambling blocks, blocking software and phone controls.
- Signs of problem gambling: the warning signs in yourself and others, and where to get treatment.
- Setting a gambling budget: working out what you can afford and the real cost of play.
Free, confidential support
- National Gambling Helpline: call 0808 8020 133, available 24 hours a day, or chat online with GamCare.
- Wales Gambling Helpline: 0808 2819 265.
- NHS gambling support: NHS specialist clinics treat gambling problems.
- Gamblers Anonymous: local and online support groups.
- Gordon Moody: residential and online treatment programmes.
- Money worries: MoneyHelper and Citizens Advice give free debt advice.
If someone you know is affected
Gambling harm affects families and friends too. GamCare and the National Gambling Helpline support people affected by someone else's gambling.
Keeping under-18s safe
Gambling is illegal for under-18s. Use parental controls and blocking software on shared devices, and keep your account details private so children and teenagers can't use them.
Last updated: 3 Oct 2026