Responsible gambling

Gambling is entertainment, not a way to make money. The house edge means that over time, most players lose more than they win. Treat any deposit as money you are prepared to lose entirely.

Tools available on UK sites

• Deposit limits — cap how much you can add to your account daily, weekly, or monthly. Decreases take effect immediately; increases usually have a cooling-off period.
• Reality checks — pop-up reminders showing how long you have been playing and your net position.
• Time-outs — temporary account suspension from 24 hours to six weeks.
• Self-exclusion — close your account for six months or longer through the operator, or use GamStop for UK-wide exclusion.

GamStop

GamStop is a free service that blocks you from all UKGC-licensed online gambling for six months, one year, or five years. Registration takes a few minutes at gamstop.co.uk. Once active, operators must refuse your business across every licensed site.

Getting help

If gambling is affecting your finances, relationships, or mental health, contact GamCare on 0808 8020 133 (free, confidential). GambleAware provides information and directs you to local support services.