Responsible gaming

Our commitment
We promote informed play and clear limits. You decide the budget and the time, then use the built-in tools to stick to both. We publish straightforward guidance and signpost independent support. Your choices are private and handled with care.

Are you in control? Quick self-check
Start with a short reflection. Gambling should be occasional entertainment, not a fix for stress or money problems. If any of the points below feel familiar, switch on tools now or take a break.

• You chase losses or return to recover money.
• You spend more time or cash than planned.
• You hide activity from family or friends.
• You feel irritable or distracted when not playing.
• You use gambling to escape problems.

Safer play tools
Practical controls help you manage money and time. They apply at account level and are easy to change from your profile. Tight settings are better than vague intentions.

• Deposit limits by day, week, or month.
• Session reminders and reality checks.
• Timeouts from 24 hours to several weeks.
• Product blocks where available.
• Full self-exclusion via a national scheme.

Use one or more. Small steps work. Combine a weekly deposit cap with a 30-minute reminder and you will feel the difference.

Deposit and spending limits
Set a cap before your first payment. Choose the period and amount that fits your budget after essentials. Decreases take effect immediately. Increases may include a cooling-off window to prevent impulsive jumps. Keep limits realistic and review them monthly.

Time management and reality checks
Short sessions reduce fatigue and poor choices. Activate a reminder that interrupts play at set intervals with your elapsed time. When the prompt appears, take a breath and step away. Use an alarm on your phone for a hard stop. Close the session when you reach it.

Account pauses and self-exclusion
Timeouts are short breaks. Pick 24 hours, 48 hours, 7 days, or longer. You cannot log in until the timer ends. This is useful after a busy week or when you want to reset habits. A timeout is reversible only when it expires, not on request.

Self-exclusion is a stronger step. In Great Britain, register with GAMSTOP to block online gambling with licensed operators for your chosen period. It is free and effective across participating sites. Combine it with device-level blocking for extra coverage.

If you are unsure which option suits you, start with a timeout and speak to an independent adviser. A quick conversation can clarify next steps and reduce anxiety.

Underage use prevention
Gambling is for adults only. Keep devices locked, log out after use, and avoid saving passwords on shared hardware. If you share a computer with minors, enable content filters and separate user profiles. Store bank cards out of reach and do not allow under-18s to top up e-wallets.

Third-party blocking and filtering
Software tools can reduce temptation and restrict access. They work well alongside account limits and national exclusion.

• Device or network-level blockers for gambling sites and apps.
• DNS or router filters that restrict categories.
• App timers that cap screen time.

Check each tool’s scope and make sure it covers all your devices. Revisit settings after operating system updates.

Support resources in the UK
Independent help is confidential and non-judgmental. The National Gambling Helpline is open 24/7 on 0808 8020 133. Chat services are available if you prefer text. Advisors can discuss budgeting, blocks, and exclusion in plain language.

GamCare provides one-to-one support and group sessions. BeGambleAware offers clear guidance and self-help materials. Consider combining advice with GAMSTOP registration and a device blocker for a layered approach. If debts are involved, contact a free debt charity as well to plan repayments.

Budget basics
Use only disposable income. Rent, food, transport, bills, and savings come first. Set a weekly entertainment allowance and keep gambling as a small part of it. Track spending with a simple note or an app. When you hit the limit, stop until the next period.

Avoid common pitfalls
Playing when tired, upset, or under the influence leads to poor decisions. Do not chase after a loss or stretch a session to “get even.” Random outcomes do not have a memory. A hot or cold streak changes nothing about the next result. If you feel pressure to keep going, end the session.

Data and payment protection
Account security is part of responsible play. Use a strong password and two-step verification. Do not share codes with anyone. Cards stay in your name, and withdrawals return to verified methods only. Review your history in the account area and query anything you do not recognise.

For friends and family
Worried about someone’s play. Look for secrecy, missing bills, mood swings, or unexplained debts. Start a calm conversation focused on concern, not blame. Offer to help set limits, install blocks, or contact a helpline together. If money is at risk, keep your finances separate and seek independent advice.

Make a plan today
Pick one tool and switch it on now. Set a deposit limit and a session reminder. Schedule a weekly check-in with yourself. If control feels hard, take a timeout and reach out to an independent service. Early action protects your money and your time.