Gambling Has A Cost
Every casino game is built to return less than is staked over time. Treat what you deposit as the price of entertainment, never as income, and never gamble to win back losses or to sort out money problems.
GamStop And Sites Outside It
GamStop is the UK's free self-exclusion scheme. It blocks you from every site licensed by the UK Gambling Commission for the period you choose. Casinos licensed elsewhere are not part of it, and their own limits and self-exclusion tools are the only ones that apply there.
If you joined GamStop because gambling had become a problem, leave the exclusion in place. Talking to GamCare is free and confidential, and blocking software such as Gamban stops gambling sites loading on your devices, including those outside GamStop.
Practical Limits
- Set a budget before you open the cashier, and keep to it.
- Use the deposit, loss and session limits in your casino account.
- Keep gambling funds in a separate wallet from savings and bill money.
- Take breaks. Quick games and quick deposits make time and money go fast.
- Use the casino's own self-exclusion if you need a longer break.
Warning Signs
- Spending more than you planned, or hiding how much you spend.
- Chasing losses with bigger bets.
- Borrowing, or using money meant for bills, to gamble.
- Feeling anxious or irritable when you are not gambling.
Free, Confidential Support
- GamCare: National Gambling Helpline 0808 8020 133, open 24 hours, and live chat at gamcare.org.uk.
- GamStop: free self-exclusion from UK-licensed sites at gamstop.co.uk.
- Gambling Therapy: free online support in several languages at gamblingtherapy.org.
- Gamblers Anonymous: local meetings across the UK.
If you are worried about someone else, all of these can help you too.
Play with money you can afford to lose. Casino games are built to return less than is staked over time. Set a budget and use your account's deposit limits. Free, confidential support is available from GamCare on 0808 8020 133. More on staying in control.