Gambling is entertainment that costs money. It is not a way to make money or recover what you have lost, and every game is designed so that the operator keeps more than it pays out over time. If gambling is taking more of your time or money than you planned, you are not alone, and help is available.
The helplines are listed above. GamCare runs the National Gambling Helpline, and GamCare and GAMSTOP both offer free, confidential support. You do not need to be in crisis to call. A short conversation can help you decide what to do next.
Warning signs and what to do
Gambling may be becoming a problem if you notice any of these patterns:
- playing for longer or staking more than you intended, and finding it hard to stop
- chasing losses, meaning betting more to win back money you have lost
- borrowing money, selling things or using money meant for bills to gamble
- hiding how much you spend or how long you play from family or friends
- feeling restless or irritable when you cannot play, or turning to gambling when you feel stressed
One of these signs is enough reason to pause and check. Start by taking a break: set a time-out on your account, or use self-exclusion if you want to stop for longer. Then speak to the National Gambling Helpline run by GamCare. Advisers can help you work out next steps, whether you plan to stop completely or cut back.
Tools UK-licensed sites must offer
Every operator licensed in the UK must offer the following tools. It is easiest to set them before you start playing, not in the middle of a session.
- Deposit limits cap how much you can put into your account over a set period.
- Reality checks show you how long you have been playing and how much you have spent.
- Time-outs block your account for a period you choose when you need a break.
- Self-exclusion closes your account with the operator for a set period.
GAMSTOP is a free self-exclusion scheme that covers all UK-licensed online gambling sites at once. Registering with GAMSTOP blocks access to those sites, so it works better than closing accounts one by one.
Your bank can also help. Many banks let you block card payments to gambling companies in their app, and some let you block individual merchants. Ask your bank how to set this up. Blocking software can limit access to gambling sites on a phone or computer. These tools work best alongside the limits and self-exclusion above, not instead of them.
If someone close to you is affected
Talking about gambling works best when it is calm and specific. Say what you have noticed, such as missing money or a change in mood, and ask how the person feels. Avoid blame and ultimatums, because they often make people hide gambling more.
Support services also help families and friends. The helplines listed above take calls from people worried about someone else, and GamCare offers information for families as well as for people who gamble.